The New Nation - Internet Edition

AMERICAN lobbyists, according to a recent newspaper report, have suggested that the Bangladesh foreign ministry 'should play a leading role' in persuading lawmakers of the United States to relax or modify some provisions of the new bill in the Congress that offers preferential market access for garment from all the least developed countries to the US market. In this regard, the lobbyists mentioned specifically, that Bangladesh should pursue the 'relaxation of the clauses' of the new bill - New Partnership and Development Act 2007 - that propose higher local value addition and stringent compliance for Bangladesh and Cambodia. The NPDA 2007 is a new bill pending before the US Congress which proposes that only after meeting some conditions should the apparels of the least developed countries get duty-free access that is provided only to some African countries at present. Bangladesh for protecting her interest should approach the African countries in this regard through the foreign ministry level to make its efforts effective in line with those countries enjoying the benefit.

According to the suggestions made by the lobbyists, US Congressmen should be approached officially maintaining regular contacts so that they understand the issues in real perspective and act accordingly to consider those clauses of the new bill for relaxation to benefit Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government has already formed two task forces under the commerce ministry to pursue the matter. One

task force headed by the commerce secretary comprises leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the

Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and

representatives of different ministries and leaders of business forums. The other task force under the leadership of executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue consists of individuals and members of the organisations concerned.

Both the committees have been assigned to conduct separate studies on ways to obtain duty-free access of the Bangladeshi products to the US market.

America is the single largest market for Bangladeshi garment and of the total earning of $ 9.2 billion from garment export in the last fiscal year about $ 3 billion came from the US. The NPDA provides an opportunity for Bangladesh as apparel sales to the US has been threatened by stiff competition from Chinese, Vietnamese and Indian exporters. Bangladesh's NPDA mission should be effective to persuade the US to give duty-free access and convince the African governments that this will not harm their exports. The NPDA proposes that Bangladesh and Cambodia, as exporters with advanced capacity, need 35 per cent value addition to garment to be exported to the US and there is scope to convince the US to reduce or modify such requirements. Bangladeshi apparels exported to USA require around 16 percent duty, which makes them relatively more expensive. Moreover, Chinese, Vietnamese and Indian exporters, who are more advanced in backward and forward linkages, are now desperate to expand their sales to the US.

BANGLADESH bears the brunt of climate change for which she is hardly responsible and so has grounds for making genuine claim to be compensated for the damages wrought by calamities exacerbated by human activities. Since developed countries have been instrumental in generating over 50 percent of greenhouse gases by pursuing unsustainable production mehoads over the last 200-300 years, they are the 'climate sinners' and should take the responsibility for the damage and its adverse impacts. It is encouraging that Australia and the USA, who had so long been resisting any binding emission cut targets, have shown significantly positive stand on the problem. The new government of Australia of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has ratified the Kyoto Protocol and the US Senate Committee voted for a cap-and-trade system with the aim of keeping GHG emissions at a tolerable level. The US administration is also going to invite big economics of the world to a climate change talk. It is desirable that the developed countries would extend to the least developed countries financial and technological assistance to help mitigate and cope with climate change impacts.

Indiscriminate use of fossil fuel by the industrial countries is responsible for increased accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere and the resultant global warming. Per capita energy consumption by the developed countries is very high. But, it is so low in developing countries that they have little contribution to global warming, but are the worst sufferers of its impacts. In this context, Campaign for Good Governance, an NGO forum, the other day urged the participants of the Bali climate conference to pay compensation for the huge losses caused to Bangladesh by cyclone Sidr. These claims for compensation have a ground provided for in the Kyoto Protocol. Bangladesh needs support for both immediate rehabilitation works and adaptation to changed climatic conditions.

The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a rise of temperature of 1.4 degrees Celsius to 5.8 degrees from 1990 to 2100. With such rise in temperature, the Himalayan and the polar glaciers will melt causing rise of the sea level. It is reported that for a rise by 40 centimetres in the Bay of Bengal, about 16 percent of the land will go under saline water causing loss of cultivable land, dwelling houses and leading to migration of more than 10 million people. To adapt to such changes in climatic conditions, Bangladesh like many other developing countries will have to evolve new technologies and introduce new high yielding crops harvestable within short spans of time. Let the positive developments at the Bali conference help bring down emission of GHGs to a tolerable level. The rich countries of the world would agree to develop a fund to compensate for loss suffered by countries including Bangladesh who have little contribution to climate change but take its maximum adverse impacts.

Dr. M. S. Haq

President Pervez Musharraf had written recently an article titled "A solid foundation but a challenging future". It was published on the 7th day of December 2007 on editorial page of The New Nation newspaper of Bangladesh. The article discusses - among other things and in a precise, concise and reader-friendly manner - challenges of Pakistan in the contemporary period, achievements made during that period by the country under the stewardship of President Musharraf and the president's vision about the future of Pakistan. The achievements mentioned in the article have been supported by numerical figures, as appropriate.

The content of above article and the publication of that article in newspapers other than those of Pakistan are significant in number of ways at this point in time. A few of them are presented below.

One, the publication of article has afforded Bangladeshis and others additional opportunities - for taking a more serious and objective look on matters pertaining to the cause, effect and causality of present day situation in relevant areas of Pakistan - for understanding further and appreciating further current realities on the ground - and for exploring and establishing 'truth behind the truth' (the term has been shown under the inverted comma because it possesses inter alia a relativistic character in at least the present domain of time and space) against the backdrop of media insufficiency in pertinent areas of media-people transaction or people-media transaction or both. It will not be out of place to mention here, the article has been designed in a manner that could facilitate inter alia a further enlargement of people's choices and a further broadening of perspectives when it comes to evaluation of potentials and prospects of Pakistan both at the present and in the foreseeable future under certain situations, as well as circumstances.

Two, the article appears to represent inter alia conscious attempts on the part of president towards repositioning Pakistan and the people of Pakistan on a stronger footing than ever in for example, the competitive world and towards help shaping, in a more pragmatic and result-oriented manner, world people's perceptions and opinions including inter alia perceptions and opinions of Pakistanis (to whom it may concern) about present day challenges and opportunities associated with for example, the future of Pakistan.

Three, the article is, among other things and in a sense, a product of the president's deliberate attempts towards setting up examples of his farsightedness and creating a space for demonstrating the depth of his realization when it comes to matters such as, building people's constituencies and mobilizing, as well as promoting people's support in favor of Pakistani agenda - both within and outside of Pakistan - in a progressively borderless, increasingly interdependent and continuously uncertain world.

Four, the article has facilitated inter alia the establishment of a more solid and interactive platform - a sort of, in a virtual sense - for attracting further, constructive, as well as result-oriented observations, opinions and suggestions in pertinent areas with a view to harnessing those observations, opinions and suggestions, as applicable, in favor of the country's greater interest, per se. In the process, the president has, through the article, managed successfully the effort towards for example, revealing and projecting a real Pakistan in a more realistic fashion to Pakistanis in particular, and to the people of world at large.

Five, the article may, among other things, be considered as a feedback from President Musharraf when it comes to contemporary discourses in Bangladesh - via newspaper editorials, as well as articles and other public information and communication (PIC) materials - on current affairs of Pakistan.

Six, the article has not only provided food for thought to readers, policy makers and others in relevant areas but reflected, in a direct, educative and intelligent manner, on how were the selection of competing priorities and implementation of those priorities by Musharraf administration instrumental in inter alia bringing the country to what it is today in terms of for example, economy and development.

Seven, the content of article and the mode of presentation of article to Bangladeshis and others via Bangladeshi print media tend to indicate inter alia: how better informed are the president and government of Pakistan - in particular, the ministry of information of Pakistan, and the country's high commission in Bangladesh, more precisely, the press wing of the high commission - when it comes to Bangladeshi media products dealing with matters relating to Pakistan (?) and the attitude of President Musharraf when it comes to sharing with Bangladeshis and others challenges and opportunities of his country for information, action and lesson, as appropriate.

The bottom line is: the article is timely and interesting; the content is useful; the achievements of Pakistan are laudable; the presence of certain elements associated with the term "think globally and act locally" is evident in the article - I became familiar with the term when I was at Harvard in Boston; and the motive of President Musharraf behind letting Bangladeshis and others know about for example, his mind in pertinent areas is, among other things, commendable. Congratulations! It is interesting to note, President Musharraf will present the vision for a 'new Pakistan' in the near future. It is expected the vision will be a product of people's vision captured through for example, a well organized, as well as systematic participatory process. It is also expected Pakistan will be able to accelerate further its progress and prosperity through the foreseeable future by taking on board Pakistanis, friends of Pakistan including inter alia the US, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and China, neighbors of Pakistan including inter alia India and Afghanistan, and others including inter alia the UK and EU and by harnessing their experiences, best practices, support, cooperation, and collaborations for a goal-centered realization of strategies based on the people's vision for a 'new Pakistan'.

Pakistanis and others should be able to ensure further that democratic mindsets, democratic practices and democratic institutions will, in an aggregate sense, act as a catalyst for the advancement of Pakistani agenda at individual, collective and other levels and at local, national, global and other levels. It will not be out of place to mention here: advantages of democracy in Pakistan should not be perceived and used as an escape goat or a free hand or otherwise for creating, sustaining and promoting - as appropriate - lawlessness, insecurity including inter alia energy, as well as environment related insecurity, terrorism, extremism, low morale and motivations, uncalled for societal and border tensions, socio-political and economic instabilities, distribution related disparities and poor per capita entitlements, gender inequalities, growth related problems in areas of human development, agriculture, industry, trade, investment and international relations, unnecessary inflation of the country's reputational costs, media (print, electronic and others) excesses - used in a non-constructive sense, lack of people's confidence in democracy and democratic processes, poverty, corruption - beyond the tolerable limit, and ineffective and unacceptable criminal justice systems, to mention a few.

At present, one of the challenges will be: how best and quickest Pakistan could harness democracy related opportunities and other inherent plus acquired opportunities in pursuits of for example, transforming it into a better Pakistan in not too distant a future.

It is hoped national and other elections - including inter alia the country's upcoming elections - will be more acceptable to most Pakistanis and will be more legitimate than those in the past and the credibility those elections in the country will continue to improve through the foreseeable future.

A windfall from above changes for better could, among other things, be instrumental in pushing Pakistan to new horizons of democracy, thus help making further developments of Pakistan easier, more solid, more productive, more cost effective, more sustainable, more recyclable, more equitable and more satisfying to all concerned than ever.

The last word: President Pervez Musharraf and the administration will need - on a more continuous basis - more solid, more purposeful and more result-oriented support, cooperation and collaborations from the rest of Pakistanis, political parties and others for taking the country to new heights through the foreseeable future. It is expected President Pervez Musharraf and the people of Pakistan will not lose their determination, motivation and morale in the difficult fight for a more democratic and powerful Pakistan than ever. Wishing all the best to President Musharraf and others! God bless.

Muhammad Quamrul Islam

From political experiences we cannot but agree with facts expressed by Chief Election Commissioner [CEC] Dr ATM Shamsul Huda on November 27, 2007 towards the end of scheduled dialogues with parties, it is not fair shout for democracy, when they themselves do not practice it within party forum. Many of the political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party [BNP], which lack in practice of democracy within, cannot register with the Election Commission [EC] unless parties amend existing party constitutions. He said at dialogue with Workers Party of Bangladesh on electoral reform at EC, reports national dailies and satellite Dhaka TV channels. It is nice that Rashed Khan Menon, president of Workers party, also thought so and expressed the same. At the dialogue, all parties as scheduled turned up except BNP immediate past ruling party due to court order of stay secured under the name of its detained chief and ex-P.M. Khaleda Zia.

I hope Menon will pursue it in his 14-party alliance led by Awami League [AL] impress them amend party constitutions as the case may be. Haider Akber Khan Rono was also in the Workers Party delegation at EC. Both were junior to us at Dhaka University based on which hope rests, as in those days senior-junior student relationship was mutually cordial, which post 1971 generation cannot even imagine, for no fault of theirs, but politicisations of teachers and students made it so. It would not be an easy exercise but it is to be done to exert to the furthest extent. They know who're in left democratic front plus three make an 11 party combine. What is their popular base, combined and individually; including Gano Forum led by Dr Kamal Hossain who rose to eminence as minister of AL/ BKSAL before leaving AL to form Gano Forum in 1993 after collapse of Soviet Union. It is on record Dr Kamal Hossain brought Sheikh Hasina to the position of AL president in 1981 that she is still holding. It is also necessary to exclude sign board/ press release only parties, what're mostly 'tadbir parties' raise local subscriptions, get invitations or tours abroad utilise left links for no good of the country but personal, insiders say. Side by side other two affluent parties in 14- party combine led by AL chief, which is so far absent in media reports, say specifically in national vernacular daily Prothom Alo, are Communist Party of Bangladesh [CPB] and its subsidiary NAP [Mozaffar], which are the beneficiaries of erstwhile Soviet Union; have left over funds, buildings, and local sources of subscription, knowledgeable quarters say. But do little for people; parrot theories, keep some workers in hand justify respective existence from time to time. Those two do not in any way practice democracy within, sat at dialogues with EC, and cannot be ignored. We would like Prothom Alo to report on them, like the one published on November29 covers BNP, AL, Jatiya Party, and December1 Jamaat-e- Islami. We do agree with these reports, expect early steps towards democratising respective party. But would they, overcome the direct beneficiaries as well as indirect who are pulling from behind maintain status quo to perpetuate vested interests like before one eleven change over? It is last time that all print and electronic media and civil societies show sincerity to bravely put pressure for reforms within each party qualify for registration instead of confusing matters for vested quarters! Caretaker Government [CG] leading in right directions enjoy popular support, be noted. While on it I received a telephone call from the general secretary of a party, which sat in dialogue with EC, who said they do not get coverage of their activities in media including relief distributions that hurt his party's rank and file. His party president is away from the country. In course of discussion, septuagenarian recalled sad experience how communists have polluted politics either directly toeing a major party or deputising comrades disguise in big parties in the name of ideological strategy for decades. It produced no good results, turned a ploy for their personal aggrandisements, and sufferings to the multitude. It is an open secret that president and general secretary of CPB are in family bonds as cousin and brother-in-law, but they are in helm of affairs for years. A Dhaka University teacher is its presidium member, then how much sincere they would be to de link teachers and students from parties. When we are rightly vocal against ' one person show in politics' surrounded by family relations and flatterers in big parties, arbitrary powers of Party Chairperson, we cannot condone CPB, camouflage as a small party at times act different from the 14-party alliance. True, editor Motiur Rahman, Prothom Alo, was with them, till collapse of Soviet Union that does not mean his national daily would shut eyes to them, and spare no pain to raise controversy on invitation by EC to acting secretary general BNP Hafizuddin Ahmed by its columnists too.

That is not fair and confusions already arisen if it is actually against reforms though at times behave differently, he requested Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia to retire in a first page commentary! If he thinks that is the dialectic materialism to bring his CPB to power, then it is fallacious thinking that could inflict grievous injury on the masses only! EC has decided not to appeal against the order of stay on the dialogue with BNP, but application will be submitted to the Court to dispose off the matter before four weeks, as reported. It is necessary to complete scheduled dialogues within the due time. EC decided invite one part of BNP that was deemed proper to them. Now that matter has gone to the Court, EC will act according to the decision of Court. Meanwhile honest political persons having passion and commitment expressed surprise at negative reactions, of Khaleda Zia appointed BNP secretary general Khandkar Delwar Hossain at the last moment, to the views of CEC on democratising political parties. How come he said CEC could not make such remarks on constitution of the political parties. It is perfectly within jurisdiction of CEC asked amending constitution of political parties to get registration. His doubt about neutrality and impartial election under CEC are baseless and unfounded in a bid to suppress their failures in tackling opposition constructively and politicising past EC for holding stalled January22 national election. On the other hand the acting secretary general of BNP Major [retd] Hafizuddin Ahmed rightly said their party would apply for registration after bringing necessary reforms in the constitution. Actually former secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan already floated a draft reform proposal, which awaits finalisation. He deserves thanks.

It is now the turn of political trio Razzaq-Tofael-Suranjit, and Amir Hussain Amu show their guts in bringing reforms in line with the proposals already launched by them. If they retreat, or adopt dilatory policy, on a plea that could not be done keeping Hasina in prison like BNP's Delwar has said, it would not be accepted by the political elements in AL and the people. Surely they are aware small or tiny 13 parties in AL alliance will mostly try to oppose AL party reforms in various ways in their interests, as it is easier to bargain seat/s with Sheikh Hasina. Take for example NAP [Mozaffar], which has a life president and so paid workers and leaders now, always 'B' team for decades, has no politics in reality, but personal aggrandizements. He claims pure communist but uses popular name of National Awami Party [NAP] founded by Maulana Bhashani to woo Muslims who would not join CPB. Is it ethical or befitting a communist? Let him leave this faction join CPB, as NAP means Bhashani, not affix name in the bracket that is treaded by others too. Would he be allowed to do so who are now surrounding him, waiting to take the position of president after his death, so much cruel they're? EC may look into it as to what makes him remain president for decades. It pains me see approaching nonagenarian Prof Muzaffar Ahmed is in such grip, how many brilliant lives were lost under his party that splinted in mid 1980s and then 1993 to Gano Forum led by Dr. Kamal Hossain.

Similarly Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh founded by Prof B. Chowdhury, which merged in Liberal Democratic Party led by Col [retd.] Oli Ahmed joined in mega alliance led by AL for stalled January 22 elections. Bikalpa Dhara was of late revived, held dialogue with EC. Earlier Prof B. Chowdhury made political innovations along with Dr. Kamal Hossain and included Bangladesh Tarikat Federation etc. but to no effect. They don't practice any sort of inner party democracy; one indulged in nomination business while in LDP and his son Mahi B.Chowdhury is heir- apparent, it is alleged.

Earlier, an honest octogenarian party leader, who couldn't rise up, so could not provide scopes to talented political persons in a party, was from Bhashani founded NAP in 1957, told me small parties always look for leader in a big party, with whom they bargain for a seat/s. Those have no real political agenda, for which they're always small. It is brought to notice of EC for weeding out small parties, including religion-based parties, which are affluent on local donations, utilising religious sentiments of innocent people and bargain with a big party share power in exchange of vote banks under their control.

What is worrying us there is little self-introspection among leaders of political parties, big or small, rectify them revert to the course of traditional politics we had till 1971 and respond to the call of CEC. EC may think twice before sitting together with all parties. It may happen some may raise issue of war criminal and refuse to sit with Jamaat though it was untouched rather accommodated in their past politics and government. It should not be misunderstood we do not want trial of war criminal; as a matter of fact we insisted on it in early 1990s, but no govt. paid heed to it. So we are inclined to say making it an issue now is to divert the attention of voters from electoral reforms, which EC is pursuing hold credible elections by the end of 2008. The anti- reformists would be on look out sabotage the electoral process of electing competent candidates, against which EC should be more cautious now, especially completing voter listing and ID Card and de linking teachers and students from parties at an early date. Thereafter second round of dialogues with parties if necessary may be taken up. We once again request mainstream parties respond to call of CEC, so shun small parties that are essentially in 'share politics' alliance. We wish to see reformed BNP, AL and JP to set up competent candidates contest elections, local and national. In this process, each party is to bring to its fold competent persons fill different forums from national to other levels. Sincere persons spread in small parties should join anyone of aforesaid parties and so for Bhashani followers; it is a bounden duty for carrying forward activities of CG, and EC in the coming year in the interest of the country. A learned friend enquired if, Counsel of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, Barrister Rafiqul Haq has requested them declare that Party Chairperson cannot be Prime Minister and vice versa, which he said in media? I am not aware it is up to him. If party chairpersons extend co-operations, reforms tasks would be easy, which as a fellow sexagenarian earnestly requests.

(The writer is Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh.)