The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday called upon all irrespective of men and women to fight against all forms of violence on women for building an enlightened future.

"We have to be vocal and proactive to stop violence against women by breaking our silence in this regard," he said.

He said this while inaugurating a two-day National Change Makers' Assembly at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre organized by-The Alliance to End Domestic Violence-as part of its countrywide "We Can" campaign.

Presided over by Chairperson of the alliance Sultana Kamal, the inaugural function was addressed, among others, by Women and Children Affairs Adviser Geeti Ara Safiya Chowdhury, Oxfam Country Director Heather Blackwell, Shahin Anam of 'Manusher Jonya', Farah Kabir of Action Aid and Co-Chairperson of "We Can" M B Akter.

Besides, two change makers Moneja Begum from Dinajpur and Azrar Shahidul Islam Bablu of Bagerhat also narrated the experiences they gathered in their personal lives and how to get them involved in this campaign for changing negative and violent behavior of male to women.

The Chief Adviser said efforts for the emancipation of the womenfolk can only be possible through empowering them and changing desired social attitude and values on women.

Expressing his solidarity with the campaign launched by the Alliance to End Domestic Violence to build up a modern and uniformed society he said it would undoubtedly play an important role to carry forward the nation towards an enlightened future.

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed underscored the need for reducing disparities between male and female to build up a justice based society. We have to continue our efforts in establishing equal rights in all spheres of social life, he added.

The Chief Adviser said violence and deprivation inside the family can be reduced through practicing religious and social values along with proper application of rules and regulations.

He said the core objective of the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) declared by the United Nations is to reduce disparities between men and women and ensuring their equal rights.

In this connection, he listed different government programmes saying it is implementing those programmes especially in health and education sector to this end.

"We have partially achieved an MDG targets by bringing gender equity in primary and secondary level education in the country," he said adding we have to ensure gender equity in all sectors through women empowerment for the total fulfillment of MDG targets.

Referring to a study report of an UN organization, he said it is regrettable that 47 percent of the country's total women are being tortured by their husbands physically.

In this context, he said this social ailment can be reduced through proper application of relevant laws, changing social attitude and upholding values.

He said the government would look into the matter so that there remains no loophole in laws relating to stop violence on women.

He expressed the hope that all irrespective of men and women would come forward to build up strong resistance in social and family environment against the curse of gender inequality and violence against women.

In her speech Geeti Ara Safiya Chowdhury called for changing attitude on women to stop violence. He also urged for taking a fresh vow to help women for ensuring their empowerment.

Giving a salient feature of her countrywide "We Can" campaign, Sultana Kamal demanded promulgation of "Family Repression Act" instead of "Women Repression Act".

She said the existing "Women Repression Act" is not enough to Protect the right of women as it deprives them in getting justice.

The campaign which is launched in 2004 through Oxfam and now it is being implemented in 42 districts across the country under the leadership of National Alliance to End Domestic Violence where more than 230 organizations and two crore (20 millions) changemakers are actively contributing to end domestic violence.

A changemaker is any person (or a group of persons) who works to change his or her attitudes, beliefs and practices relating to violence against women.

Reuters, Islamabad

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday a general election would be held by January 9 but under a state of emergency he imposed eight days ago.

Musharraf, under pressure from rivals and Western allies to put Pakistan back on a path to democracy, said the National Assembly and provincial assemblies would be dissolved in coming days, upon completion of their terms.

The army chief also told a news conference he would quit the military and be sworn in as a civilian president as soon as the Supreme Court struck down challenges to his October 6 re-election. He said he hoped that would happen as soon as possible.

Musharraf, who said last week the election would be held by mid-February, said it was up to the Election Commission to decide on the date of the vote but added it had to be within 60 days of the dissolution of the National Assembly on November 15.

He also noted a Shi'ite Muslim period of mourning, when sectarian violence traditionally rises in Pakistan, was due to begin on January 9.

"We should have elections before the ninth of January," he said. "I very much hope it will be before the ninth of January."

Before Musharraf declared emergency rule on November 3, setting off a storm of criticism, elections had been expected by mid-January. Since suspending the constitution, Musharraf has sacked most judges, locked up lawyers, rounded up most of the political opposition and rights activists, justifying his steps by saying the judiciary was hampering the battle against militants and interfering with governance.

Diplomats say Musharraf's main objective in imposing the emergency was to stop the Supreme Court ruling his re-election invalid, upholding rivals' protests that he was ineligible to contest while still army chief.

Musharraf declined to say when the constitution would be restored or the emergency lifted. The emergency reinforced the battle against militants and would ensure fair polls, he said.

"It will ensure also fair and transparent elections because we are not going to interfere in the process of the elections," he said.

He also said he expected the politicians and activists detained over the past week to be freed to take part in the elections although no one would be allowed to "create anarchy in the name of democracy."

The government says 2,500 people have been detained during the emergency, although opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party says 5,000 of its activists were picked up.

It remained to be seen if Musharraf's announcements would satisfy either his allies or opponents.

U.S. President George W. Bush, who values Musharraf as an ally in the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban, has said he expects Musharraf, who took power in a bloodless 1999 coup, to quit the army, become a civilian leader and hold elections.

Bush said on Saturday that he took the Pakistani leader at his word.

"He knows my position," Bush said. "I do remind you that he has declared that he'll take off his uniform and he has declared there will be elections, which are positive steps.

"We also believe that suspension of the emergency decree will make it easier for the democracy to flourish."

The United States is worried the turmoil will hamper its nuclear-armed ally's efforts against terrorism. Pakistani forces are battling a growing Islamist insurgency along the Afghan border-where Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding.

Former Prime Minister and Chairperson Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto said here on Sunday that she would launch long march from Lahore.

Speaking to mediamen and party workers on her arrival here at Allama Iqbal International Airport, she pledged to continue struggle for the restoration of constitution, democracy and removal of restrictions on media in the country.

She said, she feels lot of pleasure on her arrival in Lahore after 9 years and she would start the struggle for democracy from here.

Benazir said that any attempt from " Political Orphans from Punjab" to create hurdle in advancement of the long march would be thwarted with the force of public.

" You would see flood of people if political orphans from Punjab do not attempt to block the long march", she said.

She said that big majority of the people of Pakistan fully support the manifesto of PPP. She demanded a caretaker set up at federal and provincial level immediately.

Chanting supporters welcomed Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto to the city of Lahore on Sunday, ahead of a mass protest she is planning against President Pervez Musharraf's emergency rule this week.

Waving the black, red and green flags of her Pakistan People's Party, hundreds of frenzied activists shouted "Benazir Prime Minister!" and "Long live Bhutto," thrusting their arms in the air and making V for victory signs.

Bhutto intends to lead a procession of vehicles to Islamabad on Tuesday to demand Musharraf quits as army chief, ends the emergency rule he imposed a week ago, restores the constitution and frees thousands of detained lawyers and opponents.

Police have vowed to block the convoy, just as they stifled a planned protest rally in the city of Rawalpindi on Friday-when Bhutto was held under house arrest for most of the day.

Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has written a letter to chairperson Pakistan People's Party Benazir Bhutto on the political situation of the country.

According to reports, Nawaz Sharif has written that he is pleased to see her marching against dictatorship.

Nawaz Sharif said that the ARD was formed for restoration of democracy.

He said that the message of APC has been received and our objective is the restoration of democracy.

Staff Reporter

Adviser for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Information Barrister Mainul Hosein yesterday underlined the need for creating mass awareness about the existing laws so that they were respectful of the law of the land.

He said nobody would disagree that the establishment of rule of law is much smoother when people's involvement with law of the land is closer.

The Adviser was addressing a press conference to mark the launching of the 38-volume 'Bangladesh Code' at PID auditorium.

The Adviser said the caretaker government is working relentlessly to establish rule of law in the country through good governance and justice.

The people were deprived of justice in the past due to their lack of knowledge about laws, he said hoping that with the publication of the Bangladesh Code people would become more aware about the laws of the land.

He said the Bangladesh Code will help people to be much conscious about their rights protected by the laws and would be able to create opinion on lapses, if any, in the laws.

Asked if the present government will hold trial of war criminals, he advised journalists to put the question to those who avoided the issue when they were in power.

"You have waited for 36 years, why cannot you wait for another two years?" he remarked saying that the government came to power with a big responsibility to hold a free and fair election and it does not expect any quarter to create obstacles.

Asked whether there is any possibility of proclamation of martial law in the country, he replied in the negative saying, "We do not see any prospect of martial law in the country under any situation."

"We the caretaker government do not have any interest to prolong our stay in power and we do not have any intention to indulge in corruption remaining in power," he said.

He said the entire government machinery is working hard to create a congenial atmosphere for holding the elections in a free and fair manner by the end of next year in accordance with its commitment made earlier.

The Adviser told journalists that Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed would formally make public the Bangladesh Code at a function today.

About granting bail to accused corrupt business tycoons, the Law Adviser said granting bail is the jurisdiction of the court and the court is taking the decisions.

He mentioned that after formation of the proposed Truth Commission, the corrupt people would not need to go to jail and they would get different type of punishment.

The Adviser observed that everybody has to take into consideration the economy of the country, how to keep the business vibrant in the greater interest of the country.

Asked about reforms in political parties the Adviser said he does not expect much under the prevailing situation.

"I hope the positive impact of the reforms will be clear by January or February," he added.

"Though I am not very optimistic about the changes the political parties are trying to make. But it is true that the Mafia rule is over. Now the honest people should come forward," he said.

Barrister Mainul emphasised the need for bringing about a significant change in the mentality of politicians and said without change of mind and heart of those who would be elected, good governance is a remote prospect.

A total of 956 laws, which were enacted from 1836 to January 2007 and effective in the country at present with necessary amendments, have been included in the Bangladesh Code, 2007, he said.

The 11-volume code, published earlier, which contained the laws enacted from 1836 to 1938 have also been included in the 38-volume Bangladesh Code.

Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Law Kazi Habibul Awal, Principal Information Officer (PIO) Iftekher Hossain and senior officials were present at the press conference.

Staff Reporter

Speakers, including two former army chiefs at a roundtable meeting yesterday called for trying the war criminals of 1971 under the military rules by forming special military tribunals.

They said the war criminals are now roaming in Bangladesh, which was achieved through the supreme sacrifices of the freedom-fighters. They are now openly saying that there are no war criminals in the country. Time has come to raise voices against the war criminals. The army chief has also mentioned about the war criminals. War criminals cannot go to power in any country of the world. Unfortunately, it has happened in Bangladesh. Their cars carried the national flag.

Former Army Chief Lt Gen (Retd) Mustafizur Rahmand said the trial of the war criminals and collaborators is not possible under the existing laws. The trials of them could be held under the military rules as the war criminals and collaborators, known as Razakars had killed many soldiers of the Bangladesh Army and helped Pakistan occupation army by extending all kinds of supports, including information, he suggested.

He also requested Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed to take necessary initiatives to try the war criminals, including the leaders and members of Razakars, Al Badr and Al Shams under the court martial law.

"Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed assured the freedom fighters to try the war criminals of 1971. He will get a great place in the history if he holds the trials of war criminals. The whole nation will remain grateful to him," the former army chief said.

Muktijoddha Samannay Parishad organised the meeting titled "Pledges of the Liberation War and Present Bangladesh" at Colonel Taher auditorium at Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) office in the city.

With Muktijoddha Samannay Parishad chairman Abir Ahmed in the chair, the discussion was also participated by Awami League presidium member Tofail Ahmed, JSD president Hasanul Huq Inu, Communist Party general secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim, Sammayabadi Dal general secretary Dilip Barua, Mukjoddha Central Command Council chairman Principal Abdul Ahad Chowdhury, former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Khondaker Ibrahim Khaled and Commander of the Sector No. 8 Col (Retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury, among others.

Referring to a book of General Niazi, Mustafizur Rahman said Pakistan Army handed down the death verdict on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman under the court martial for Bangabandhu's declaration of the independence at Faisalabad in the then West Pakistan in 1971.

"Since Bangabandhu's declaration of independence went against the sovereignty of Pakistan in 1971, he was tried under the military rules. The war criminals of 1971 also worked against the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh and they can also be tried in the same way," he observed.

Expressing regret, Lt Gen (Retd) Mutafizur Rahman said, "We could not punish our enemies after the independence. They utter Bangladesh, but they nurture Pakistan in their mind. Taking advantage at different times they attacked the country's constitution, democracy and sacred institutions. Jamaat leaders were involved in many wrongdoings, including war crime, militancy, and communal violence. That is why they don't deserve the right to exercise politics. The government has arrested political leaders on charge of corruption. We demand the war criminals should also be arrested. If a thief of ten years is arrested, a criminal of 36 years must also be arrested."

The former Army Chief observed that the advisers of the caretaker government were trying to protect the war criminals showing many lame excuses. "If they favour the war criminals, they will also fail in discharging their responsibilities," he said.

General Mustafiz said Golam Azam, Nizami, Mojaheed and Kader Molla were involved in war crimes. They must be arrested as soon as possible. Besides, the politics of Jamaat-e-Islami must have to be banned. Their trials should be initiated by forming special tribunals and commissions. If the BNP does not abandon Jamaat from their alliance, they would also be regarded as the collaborators of war criminals. The Election Commission should not register Jamaat as a political party, he said.

Taking part in the discussion, former Army Chief Maj Gen (Retd) KM Shafiullah Bir Uttam said the war criminals and their collaborators violated the constitution describing the War of Liberation as a civil war. They should be tried at military tribunals.

"We demand the arrest of all the war criminals of 1971 right now," he said.

Maj Gen (Retd) Shafiullah, who was also the commander of Sector No.3 during the War of Liberation in 1971, insisted on completion of the trials of brutal killings of Bangabandhu and four national leaders as quickly as possible.

Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed said there was no single example in the world's history that anti-liberation forces went to power, but in Bangladesh they succeeded to do so.

"We could not fulfill the dreams dreamt by the freedom fights in their liberated Bangladesh," he said.

"Now all forces and parties, and even many Islamic parties have become united in realising their demand of the trial of the war criminals and collaborators," he said.

Principal Abdul Ahad Chowdhury said the government would have to take the responsibility to try the war criminals at the special tribunals showing respect to the demands of the mass people.

Mujahidul Islam Selim said the government have to arrest the war criminals and try them at special tribunals for their role against the liberation war of 1971 and killing thousands of freedom fighters.

There are examples available in the world to try the war criminals after many years of the Second World War. So, it would not be very difficult to try the war criminals only 36 years after the country's independence, he observed.

JSD president Hasanul Haq Inu demanded banning the politics of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh as the party is stands against democracy, constitution and Islam. They also misinterpret the holy Quran and Sunnah.

He also demanded of Election Commission not to register Jamaat as a political party.

Jamaat committed two offenses--one is sedition against the country by joining hands with the country's enemies in 1971 and committing war crimes by violating thousands of women, killing and torturing millions of people, he added.

Inu also urged all factions of BNP to severe relations with the war criminals.

The Caretaker Government had to take responsibility to bring the war criminals under the trial, as they brought the corruptions of 10 years ago under the trial.

Abu Osman Gani Chowdhury said if the mass people did not commit any mistake in 1971 by demanding the country's independence, they had also not committed the mistake this time by demanding the trials of war criminals.

Staff Reporter

The Government has approved Chevron's plan to conduct a seismic survey to determine the exact amount of gas reserve in Moulavi Bazar Gas Field in block 14 that include part of a forest.

Disclosing this, official sources yesterday said now Chevron can go ahead with their three-dimensional (3D) seismic survey of the northeastern Moulavi Bazar Gas Field since the Government had approved the plan.

Meanwhile, Chevron in a statement said, "The survey is considered essential to better delineate the field, evaluate additional reserves, and to sustain and possibly increase much-needed gas production from the field."

The Moulavi Bazar natural gas field with estimated reserves of 400 billion cubic feet of gas, was discovered in 1999 and started production in 2005 by the Unocal, which later sold it to Chevron.

Announcing the plan last week, Chief Executive of Chevron in Bangladesh Steve Wilson said his firm would place the highest priority on the protection of environment.

Chevron, in its statement, said the survey work will be conducted in an environmentally-sensitive and careful manner and will protect the conservation values of the area."

The six months long seismic survey will begin early next year covering nearly 152 square kilometres. About 20 per cent of the survey area would fall within the forest.

Officials, however, claimed that the survey activities would have no major impact on the environment.

They said at present Chevron produces more than 100 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) from the Moulavi Bazar field.

Chevron is also producing nearly 500 mmcfd of gas from the Bibiyana and Jalalabad fields, the officials added.

Chevron has invested US $820 million in Bangladesh, making it the biggest investor in the country's energy industry.

Staff Reporter

Country's knitwear sector is getting back after to position facing adverse situation due to political instability in the country and unfavourable financial condition in its main export destination, the USA.

President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Fazlul Huq yesterday at a press conference said highest ever export worth US$455.05 million of knit products were shiped during August this year which is 28.35 per cent higher than the previous month.

"Issuance of Utilisation Declaration (UD) certificate from BKMEA has marked a sharp rise during September and October compared to the month of August," he informed.

Huq termed this year's export target of knit products highly ambitious, but hope that they will be able to achieve the target.

He said BKMEA is organising different exhibitions and attending others in different countries to expand the market of Bangladeshi knit products.

He, however, urged the government to take some measures to expand the market as well as increase knitwear export.

The measures include making the commercial wings of missions abroad more effective, reduction of interest of bank loan to help more investment and bringing stability in the local market, taking stern actions against the culprits who create labour crisis in the RMG sector.

The BKMEA president also urged the government to appoint a trade specialist in Washington to pursue the US congress to get the new trade bill passed which will allow duty and quota free access of goods of Bangladeshi origin and other least developed countries to the US market.

Fazlul Huq said appreciation of Taka through re-fixing the price of US dollar might create big loss to the exporters. He hoped that the government will consider the interest of exporters before taking any decision in this regard.

Staff Reporter

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has suggested the member countries of Asian Clearing Union (ACU) to introduce Euro alongside the US dollar for settlement of payments among the eight-nations.

The Bangladesh Bank earlier sent a letter to the country's apex trade body with a request to give its opinion on switching over to multiple-currency transaction regime in ACU.

The ACU is an arrangement among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to settle payments for intra-regional transactions among the participating central banks on a multilateral basis.

The ACU is mulling over to go for multiple currency transaction and sought opinions of business bodies of the member countries through the respective central banks.

Before submitting the recommendation, the FBCCI discussed the issue with its member bodies and also with some leading businessmen, most of who preferred multi-currency.

"We have suggested the use of Euro along with the U.S. dollar with a view to helping the business communities in the ACU member countries," FBCCI president Mir Nasir told the New Nation.

"Multi-currency system is always better than single currency for making any business payment, he added.

A technical committee was formed under the leadership of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to examine the use of a second currency in ACU transactions in line with the decision of 36th board of directors meeting, held in Dhaka on May 15.

"We will send a concrete proposal in this connection after examining all the proposals to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka," a BB senior official said. He also said the matter will be placed before the next board of directors meeting after its approval by the technical committee.

Central banks of the ACU member countries are the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Central Bank of Islamic Republic of Iran, the Bangladesh Bank, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Central Bank of Myanmar, the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan and the Rastra Bank of Nepal.

The ACU started its operations in November 1975 to help boost trade relations among its member countries. Bangladesh and Myanmar joined the union as the sixth and the seventh members in 1976 and 1977 respectively. Bhutan joined the ACU in December 9, 1999.

Staff Reporter

Awami League Acting President Zillur Rahman yesterday urged the Caretaker government and the Election Commission to declare the political parties of "war criminals" ineligible for participating in the election and deny them registration.

"The war criminals do not believe in the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh and none of those, who do not believe in the country's independence and sovereignty has any right to do politics," he said while addressing leaders of the Juba League, the youth front of his party.

The Juba League leaders met with him on the occasion of 35th founding anniversary of organisation at his Gulshan residence.

"The whole nation is now united and the nation wants trial of those, who opposed the country's Liberation War," the Acting AL Chief said, adding, "War criminals are now boasting and the nation is realizing the imperative of putting them to trial."

Speaking at the function, AL Presidium member Tofail Ahmed said national consensus had been created against the war criminals and they should be tried as per the consensus of the nation.

He said, "Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed have assured the nation about the trial of the war criminals…Now we are waiting to see that the war criminals are tried."

Party leaders, including Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, Maj Gen (Retd) Subid Ali Bhuiyan, Dr Dipu Moni and Akter Hossain Khoka and Jubo League leaders Professor Dr Mijanur Rahman, harun-or-Rashid, Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, Mahabubur Rahman Hiron, Mohiuddin Ahmed Mohi, Nurunabbi Chowdhury and Mainul Hossain Khan Nikil were present among others.

Earlier, the Jubo League leaders placed floral wreaths on the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and at the graves of the founder Chairman of Jubo League Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni and those killed on August 15, 1975 at Banani Graveyard and offered fateha.

Milad mahfil was held and special prayers were offered marking the day.

Staff Reporter

Leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) yesterday urged the government to speed up diplomatic efforts for passage of a new US trade bill that will allow duty and quota free access of Bangladeshi products to American market.

"The government initiative is a must to move the bill forward from the present stage," BGMEA president Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury told a press conference at the BGMEA conference room.

He was conveying the outcome of the Washington visit of a BGMEA delegation from October 29 to 31 when they had meetings with some US Congressmen, key staff, administration officials and important representatives from the US private sector.

Their discussions focussed mainly on the trade bill titled "The New Partnership for Development Act of 2007" which Congressman Jim McDermott introduced in the US Senate on October 18. The BGMEA president stressed the need for more active role by the government, particularly the Washington Bangladesh Mission, to remove the negative image of Bangladesh from among some Congressmen.

"They (Congressmen) want to see improvements in labour standards.

They don't know the recent improvements," he said, adding that the delegation apprised them of the developments in the last 10 months and they appreciated it.

He, however, said the Congressmen they met have no clear idea about the labour standards in the EPZ factories.

The BGMEA president said the government effort is to mobilise support from a number of Congressmen, as support from 240 Congressmen - equally from Democrats and Republicans - is needed for the bill to pass.

He said it also needs to address the issue of anti-Bangladesh lobby like Africa and US Textile Association, who don't want Bangladesh to be included in the list of beneficiary countries of the bill.

Replying to a question, Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury said if the bill is passed, Bangladesh exports would get duty-free status in USA as compared to an average import duty of 16.2 per cent in USA market at present. The duty is applicable to a maximum of 33 per cent for some items.

Replying to another question, he said the bill is expected to be moved some time between end-January to early February and might be passed before the next US Presidential election. It could be an election issue.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) at a press conference at its office yesterday urged the government to appoint a trade expert in the Bangladesh Mission in Washington so he could look after the newly introduced bill with professional attitude.