The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Rawalpindi

An emotional Pervez Musharraf stepped down as Pakistan's army chief Wednesday, bowing to global pressure to end eight years of military rule a day before he becomes a civilian president.

In a moment many Pakistanis thought they would never see, Musharraf handed over the baton of command for the nuclear-armed military to his hand-picked heir, General Ashfaq Kiyani, at a farewell parade.

Musharraf, a key US ally, will be sworn in for a second five-year term as president on Thursday as he seeks to quell international and domestic outrage over his November 3 imposition of a state of emergency.

His resignation from the military was welcomed by the United States and key opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, but both said that further steps were needed including the end of emergency rule. "I will not be in uniform tomorrow," Musharraf, wearing a green sash over his khaki ceremonial dress and medals, told hundreds of invited guests and dignitaries, confessing to feeling "a little sad."

The 64-year-old former commando dabbed at his eyes behind his glasses at one point and lifted a handkerchief to his nose after his speech.

"After remaining in uniform for 46 years I am saying goodbye to this army. This army is my life, this army is my passion. I have loved this army." Buglers announced Musharraf's arrival at a stadium at army headquarters in Rawalpindi and then, to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne," an honour guard escorted him and former spy chief Kiyani to their position on a dais.

Musharraf-who led a bloodless coup in 1999 and once described his uniform as his second skin-hailed the armed forces as the "saviour of Pakistan". He also voiced full confidence in Kiyani.

But without the army, the main source of his power, Musharraf faces a torrid time ahead of elections set for January 8, with growing calls for him to end emergency rule.

In Washington, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hailed the Pakistani leader for "a good step, a good first step in president Musharraf carrying out his obligation, indeed his promise to take off his uniform."

"But the decision now needs to be taken to end the state of emergency to allow free and fair elections to take place," she told NBC television.

The United States and other Western allies have largely seen emergency rule as an obstacle to Pakistan's pursuit of Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants.

In Karachi, Bhutto said that Musharraf had met one of her key demands, but she warned: "We are not in a hurry to accept Pervez Musharraf as a civilian president."

The opposition insists Musharraf's October 6 re-election as president was illegal. They claim that he imposed emergency rule to purge the Supreme Court of hostile judges who threatened to overturn his victory.

In a sign that Musharraf may respond to the clamour, attorney general Malik Muhammad Qayyum told AFP emergency rule would be lifted "very soon", without specifying a date.

Musharraf's spokesman Rashid Qureshi said he would address the nation late Thursday after he takes the oath as president, but gave no more details.

But Musharraf's chances of lasting out the coming months depend partly on whether Bhutto and another ex-premier, Nawaz Sharif, can build an alliance.

Both are mulling a boycott of the polls, saying an election would be unfair if under emergency rule, and any opposition coalition could leave Musharraf politically isolated.

The pair have vowed never to serve under Musharraf in a future government, although the law currently bars them from serving a third term in any case.

His fate also depends on the continued backing of Kiyani, a pro-Western, chain-smoker who is described as a loyalist but remains something of an unknown quantity.

"Musharraf is going to be far more vulnerable than he has been to this point," said Farsana Shaikh, a Pakistan analyst at the London-based think-tank Chatham House.

Reuters, New Delhi

India said on Wednesday it would continue to host and protect a controversial Bangladeshi Muslim woman writer who has fled from city to city since her radical Islamist critics stoked violence last week.

The fate of Taslima Nasreen, who had been in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata since 2003, has become a hot political issue for New Delhi with the Hindu nationalist opposition accusing the government of pandering to Muslim minorities by trying to get her out of the country.

But Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that historically, India had never refused shelter to those who had sought the country's protection. "This civilisational heritage, which is now government policy, will continue, and India will provide shelter to Taslima," he told parliament.

"While guests are in India, the union and state governments provide them protection," he said. "This will also apply in Taslima Nasreen's case."

Authorities rushed award-winning Nasreen, who criticises the use of religion as an oppressive force, from her home in Kolkata last week after protests against her by Muslim groups led to riots, forcing the army to be called in.

The riots appeared to be the culmination of years of simmering anger at Taslima.

Some radical Muslims hate Nasreen for saying Islam and other religions oppress women, and Indian clerics had issued a "death warrant" against her in August.

After the riots, police moved her to a hotel in the western state of Rajasthan and then she was quickly sent to Delhi at the weekend under police protection.

She spent a few days at a state guest house before being bundled away to a secret security facility as New Delhi feared protests by Muslim groups in the capital.

Nasreen has told Indian TV channels that she wants to return to Kolkata, but with the communist government there seen as not keen to further anger Muslims, that possibility seems remote.

Her visa is due to expire in February and New Delhi will have to decide whether to extend it. Wednesday's assurance that it would continue sheltering Nasreen came with a warning.

"Those who have been granted shelter here have always undertaken to eschew political activities in India or any actions which may harm India's relations with friendly countries," Mukherjee said.

"It is also expected that the guests will refrain from activities and expressions that may hurt the sentiments of our people," he said, an apparent reference to the outspoken Nasreen.

Nasreen fled Bangladesh for the first time in 1994 when a court said she had "deliberately and maliciously" hurt Muslims' religious feelings with her Bengali-language novel "Lajja", or "Shame", which is about riots between Muslims and Hindus.

Several of her books have been banned in India and Bangladesh. The European Parliament awarded her the Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought in 1994.

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Wednesday further laid emphasis on well-coordinated relief and rehabilitation efforts to fulfill the real needs of the cyclone affected people. He expressed the view while receiving donations from the representatives of different government organizations and private bodies and individuals at his office yesterday morning. The Chief Adviser said that in many affected areas situations have improved but still many things to be done for overall improvement and to bring the people to normal life.

He said the government has started immediate and long-term efforts primarily putting emphasis on ensuring safe drinking water and resolving housing problem of the victims.

The Chief Adviser said during his visits in the severely hit areas he witnessed that water has been contaminated in many areas and works are underway in full swing to make safe water available to the people but he said the government wants a permanent solution. He also said that the government would sincerely consider the issue of increasing the number of Shelter Centers, reinforcement of embankments in coastal areas and reconstruction of the disrupted communication net work.

Expressing gratitude to the donors for their outstanding support to the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund to expedite the government efforts he said the money would immensely help the distressed people to overcome their miseries.

Terming the affected people as courageous and resilience Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed said the government is going ahead for permanent solution to their problems along with fulfilling their immediate needs.

In this connection he referred to the government decision to distribute about 2.6 million VGF cards among the distressed people saying that this will also expedite the on going relief activities. The today's donors included different Government Organizations including the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Privatization Commission, ERD, BEPZA, Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, Bangladesh Shilpa Rin Shangstha and Chittagong Stock Exchange.

Secretary to the Chief Adviser's office Kazi M Aminul Islam and Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim were present.

DU Correspondent

The admission test of Dhaka University for the first year honours course under the session 2007-08 will begin tomorrow.

A total of 25,100 students of 'C' Unit under Business Faculty will appear at the first day of the test which will be held at the different centers in and outside the campus.

University authorities have disclosed the seat plan and asked the students to confirm their seats before the examination.

The seat plan will be available at the Business Faculty's notice board. The seats were allocated according to the roll number of the admission form this year.

There are: roll no-10, 001 to 12,735 at the Business Faculty, 12,736 to 16,426 at the Arts Faculty, 16,427 to 17,876 at the Science Annex Building, 17,877 to 20,515 at the Curzon Hall, 20,516 to 21,424 at the Mokarram Hossain Building, 21,425 to 21,609 at the Institute of Statistical Research and Training, 21,610 to 21,809 Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, 21,810 to 22,129 at the Institutte of Modern Language, 22,130 to 22,729 at the Institute of Business Administration, 22,730 to 23,379 at the Institute of Education and Research, 23,380 to 23,793 at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, 23,794 to 24,463 at the University Laboratory School and College, 24,464 to 25,513 at the Udayan School, 25,514 to 27,013 at the Azimpur Home Economics College, 27,014 to 29,623 at the Munshi Abdur Rouf Rifles College, 29,624 to 31,673 at the Bir Sreshtha Noor Mohammad School and College, 31,674 to 33,173 at the Sheikh Borhan Uddin College (Nazimuddin Road), 33,174 to 33,493 at the University Central Library and 33,494 to 35,990 at the Ideal College (Dhanmondi Central Road).

UNB, Dhaka

Japanese entrepreneurs are interested to join the effort for development of Bangladesh's gas and coal sectors-the two potential fields of energy.

Chairman of Japan-Bangladesh Joint Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation (JBCCEC) Koji Nojima showed the interest when a nine-member JBCCEC delegation, led by him, met Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Mir Nasir Hossain yesterday (Wednesday).

They discussed the potentialities and problems of cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan under the umbrella of JBCCEC, which was established between Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and FBCCI in 1980. Nojima is now visiting Bangladesh to attend the inaugural ceremony of the 3rd Japan Trade Fair 2007, beginning here on Thursday aiming to promote new products of Japan.

Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) has organised the fair in association with the Japanese Embassy, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Shoo-Koo-Kai. During the meeting, Nojima mentioned his long involvement in Japanese cooperation with Bangladesh and expressed his shock about the devastation caused by the cyclone.

After his return to Japan, he would urge the JBCCEC members to contribute for assisting the cyclone-affected people. In response to Nojima's remarks, FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain said that he attached high regard from him, as he is the catalyst to Japan's cooperation with Bangladesh.

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh is facing adverse environmental impact due to climate change and a coordinated effort could only help to overcome it.

Environmentalists and experts said this at a seminar on 'Global Climate Change and Bangladesh' organised by Bangladesh Science Writers and Journalists Forum at National Press Club yesterday.

They said, "There is no clear conception about how climate change will affect Bangladesh and how the country will respond to it."

They urged all to come up with ideas and programmes to save the country from floods, cyclone and other disasters, which are occurring due to climate change.

Dr Ainun Nishat, Country Director of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), Prof Dr AQM Mahbub, Chairman of Geography and Environment Department of Dhaka University, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Editor of the New Nation, Abu Naser Khan, Convener of Save the Environment Movement, among others, spoke, while Prof Dr Muhammad Ibrahim, President of the Forum, chaired the session.

Mir Lutful Kabir Saadi, General Secretary of the Forum, presented key-note paper.

One of speakers said, "Green house gas is one the factors of climate change. Though in Bangladesh, there is no frequent use of green house gas, but the country is facing the adverse effects of it."

"The real picture of the rate of damages in the country is high due to climate change. We should come forward to solve the problem as early as possible," he said.

Staff Reporter

Adviser in charge of the ministries of agriculture, fisheries and livestock and environment and forests Dr CS Karim said, "Climate change is related with development, and we should realise it and take effective steps to prevent climate change".

Only one catastrophic Sidr had damaged Tk 7,000 crore, so causes of climate changes should be found out and people should be aware of the effects of the climate change, he added.

Dr CS Karim was speaking at a commemoration ceremony for IPCC lead Authors from Bangladesh on receiving Nobel Peace Prize 2007 organised by Climate Change Development Forum at the National Press Club yesterday. Dr Karim chaired the ceremony.

It may be mentioned that IPCC lead Authors won the Nobel Peace Prize this year for the fourth assessment report of the organisation.

The members of the IPCC lead Authors from Bangladesh are Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed, Chairman of Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad, Dr A Atiq Rahman, Executive Director of Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, Dr Saleemul Huq, Head, Climate Change Group of International Institute for Environment and Development in UK and Dr M Monirul Qader Mirza Adaptation and Impacts Research Division (AIRD) Canada.

They all wrote chapters in the fourth assessment report of the IPCC lead Authors for which the organisation got the Nobel Peace Prize this year.

The key findings of the fourth assessment report says that the level of greenhouse gas should be reduced otherwise whatever action we take it will not have any effect in climate.

The other recommendations of the report is to adapt with climate change and mitigate it. It recommends people to plant environment friendly trees to protect the environment.

Dr Anwara Begum, Director, CARITAS, Fisheries Programme, Khandoker Rashedul Haque, Director General, Department of Environment and AHM Rezaul Kabir ndc, Secretary-in-Charge, MoEF, among others, spoke at the ceremony.

Staff Reporter

Bangladeshi research institutions cannot conduct study on issues close to life and local needs, as they have to work the prescription of donors.

"Government has very little budget for research works. We have to conduct research with funds from donor agencies. So we have to follow their instructions, we have to fulfil their needs," said Dr KAS Murshed, a research fellow of BIDS, yesterday at a view exchange meeting with journalists.

"We can't conduct research on issues that our country at present really needs," he added. The Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) is organising a two-day international conference on 'Development prospects of Bangladesh: Emerging Challenges' on December 2 at Hotel Sheraton on the occasion of silver jubilee of the organisation. Noted economists, researchers, academics, representatives of multinational donor agencies and civil society organisations from home and abroad will participate in the conference.

BIDS Director General Dr Quazi Shahabuddin said the conference will discuss the development so far Bangladesh could achieve and the challenges it is facing.

"At present we are standing at the crossroads of development. If we can achieve 7 per cent growth the country will turn into middle income country within 2015," he said.

BIDS research fellow Dr Asaduzzaman and Dr Rushidan Islam Rahman also spoke on the occasion.

Staff Reporter

Some 150 RMG workers from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are being threatened with deportation by their Jordanian factory owner as they protested abuse, cheating them of wages and imprisonment.

The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday reported that a workers-rights group raised the allegation against the subcontractor that makes clothing for Victoria's Secret, a world famous brand.

According to the workers-rights group report released Tuesday, workers said they've been producing Victoria's Secret merchandise for a year, working up to 96 hours per week without overtime pay and being subjected to slapping or beating for making mistakes or missing production targets.

When factory managers increased the workload last month-requiring each worker to sew one garment about every three minutes-some employees protested, saying such demands were impossible to fulfill, the report said.

Six of them were then jailed, prompting the remainder of the factory's 150 workers to go on strike on November 12, according to the group.

The National Labour Committee, which last year published findings from a yearlong investigation into abuses at Jordanian sweatshops, said the factory workers contacted the advocacy group to ask for help.

The committee's findings last year led to congressional hearings on Jordanian trade agreements and promises from that country's government to crack down on labour rights violations.

Jordan, which signed a free-trade agreement with the United States in 2001, has become a hub for apparel making in recent years.

Noakhali Correspondent

Chief Justice Md Ruhul Amin said the shortage of judges in the country's judiciary after separation of judiciary would be removed in about four months time.

The Chief Justice said, "After the separation of judiciary the judicial system faced a unfavourable situation, as it started its independent journey with a shortage of judges."

"Some problems will still remain but the crisis would be removed within the next four months", he added. He was speaking as chief guest at a reception yesterday organised by the Noakhali District Lawyers Association.

Advocate Momin Ullah presided over the programme while Additional Registrar of Supreme Court Farid Ahmed Shibli was present.

Chief Justice Ruhul Amin also urged the lawyers and justice seekers to cooperate keeping in mind the shortage of judges in the judiciary.

He said judiciary was separated to ensure justice all, so lawyers and judges have to ensure that.

In the morning the Chief Justice inspected different courts in Noakhali.

BSS, Dhaka

Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukharjee invited Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury to attend the SAARC foreign minister's meeting in New Delhi from December 6 to 8.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty yesterday handed over the letter of invitation from the Indian foreign minister to the foreign adviser at his office. They also discussed the impending visit of Pranab Mukherjee to Dhaka on December 1.

The Indian foreign minister will hold talks with the foreign adviser. He is also expected to make a call on the Chief Adviser, said a foreign ministry press release.

He is expected to visit some cyclone affected areas and return home the same evening.

Pranab Mukherjee will also hand over some relief materials to Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.

Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said, "These events are likely to make a positive contribution to our bilateral relations. I would like to thank India on behalf of our government and people for the support rendered at this troubled time of post- cyclone period".

Later, Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury received a cheque of Taka 1,60,000 from Mrs Radha Chakravarty, wife of the High Commissioner and President of Dhaka Indian Women Association on behalf of the Indian ladies living in Bangladesh towards the cyclone relief fund.

UNB, Dhaka

Eight of the 12 corrupt suspects, who were earlier issued notices to submit their wealth statements within seven working days, have applied to the Commission seeking time extension by another seven working days.

According to the Anti-Corruption Commission Rules 2007, the Commission can extend the deadline to any such applicants by seven working days.

On November 18, the 12 corrupt suspects, including Dhaka City Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka, AL presidium members Tofael Ahmed and Sajeda Chowdhury, and former Adviser to the caretaker government Justice Fazlul Haque, were directed to submit their wealth statements within seven working days. Of the 12, the names of 11 individuals appeared on the fourth and final list of 35 corrupt suspects, published by the Commission on October 4.

Ali Akbar, a class four employee of a Session's Judge court, is the other person directed to submit his wealth statement. Former Adviser to the caretaker government Justice Fazlul Haque and former Finance Minister Saifur Rahman's son Shafiur Rahman Babu have complied with the ACC directives so far. Justice Haque submitted his wealth statement on Tuesday while Babu's wealth statement was received today.

AL leaders Tofael, Sajeda and RAJUK's building inspector and CBA president Amir Khasru applied for time extension while Mayor Khoka, former BNP state minister Maj (retd) Kamrul Islam, former AL MP AKM Rahmatullah, former Communications secretary Rezaul Hayat and deputy secretary Shamsul Alam applied today seeking time extension.