The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

President Professor Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed Sunday called upon the scholars, researchers and scientists of the country to seek ways of reducing the loss of life and property and to face the challenges of the natural phenomenon.

He said: "Bangladesh is a country of immense potentials. But our cherished development is being hindered again and again by the repeated natural catastrophe including cyclone, flood, tidal surge, natural degradation, etc. The phenomenon of global warming is also

another alarming issue for us".

The President was addressing the 3rd Convocation of BRAC University at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in the morning.

President Iajuddin reminded that the development and progress of a nation mainly depends on its educated young generation. "Our attention should be focused on the proper nourishment of the young populace."

The President, who is also the Chancellor of the university, said that as the cradle of wisdom, the universities have great role to play in cultivating intellect, academic spirit, and also imparting quality education with a view to building a knowledge-based society.

"In an age of globalisation, we would have to provide market and need-based education along with conventional Arts and Sciences so that our students can face the global challenges confidently."

He expressed happiness that the BRAC University has already introduced some unconventional degrees like Masters in Public Health, Masters in Disaster Management, and Masters in Governance and Development.

The President also thanked the University authorities for commencing such well-timed subjects and taking the institution to great heights in collaboration with some of the world's topnotch academic institutions.

He said: "As responsible member of the society, we have to facilitate equal opportunities to the underprivileged section of the society so that a balanced and prosperous nation is established."

President Iajuddin urged the university authorities to further promote a strong culture of excellence in scholarship as well as research for generating more intellectuals and professionals.

Congratulating the graduating students, he said: "You must put your wisdom at your every endeavour and thinking so that the congenial atmosphere of living and state of justice at all level are upheld. Remember, university education is not the mark of closing rather it is just the beginning."

He added: "It needs creativity, integrity, patriotism and love for people in developing yourself and serving humanity."

The President also urged all to work unitedly for building a happy and prosperous abode for all.

BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury and pro-VC Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, among others, also addressed the function. Prof Rehman Sobhan was the convocation speaker.

Staff Reporter

Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Ozair Farooq died of cardiac arrest yesterday (Sunday). He was 63.

Family sources said Farooq suffered a massive heart attack in his private car near Baridhara. "He was rushed to Apollo Hospital nearby where the attending doctor declared him dead," said a source in his family.

Earlier, the veteran lawyer appeared in the court of the vacation chamber judge of the Supreme Court in connection with a case, court sources said.

Farooq, also a member of the advisory council of Awami League, left behind his wife Momtaz Farooq, son Barrister Imtiaz Farooq, daughter Dr Nusrat Farooq and a host of relations and admirers to mourn his death.

He will be buried at his ancestral village at Chatkhil in Noakhali today (Monday) morning.

Acting Awami League President Zillur Rahman and General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam in a joint statement expressed profound shock at the death of Ozair Farooq, who was also ex-president of the English Alumni Society of Dhaka University.

In the statement they recalled that Farooq played a significant role in different movements in the country, including those for establishing democracy, justice, the rule of law, and separation of the judiciary from the executive control.

"We lost a trusted friend of ours in his sudden death," said the Awami League leadership.

They also prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed their deep sympathies to the bereaved family members.

Reuters, Islamabad

A Pakistani television channel broadcast on Sunday grainy still pictures of what it said appeared to be two men who attacked and killed opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in a gun and bomb attack on Thursday as she stood up through the sun-roof of her bullet-proof vehicle to wave to supporter as she left an election rally in the city of Rawalpindi.

The government has blamed al Qaeda.

Dawn News Television showed three pictures it said it had obtained from an amateur photographer.

One showed two men standing in the crowd outside the rally ground before Bhutto left.

One was a clean-cut young man wearing sunglasses, a white shirt and dark waistcoat. Behind him stood a man with a white shawl over his head, who Dawn said was believed to be the bomber.

Two other photographs showed the clean-cut man pointing a pistol at Bhutto as she left the rally.

He appeared to be about 10 feet (3 metres) from Benazir Bhutto, standing on the left of her vehicle, pointing the gun with his right hand as she faced away from him.

Authorities said three shots were fired at Bhutto moments before a suicide bomber set off explosives. As well as Bhutto, 23 people were killed.

Authorities have not said how many attackers they believed were involved.

Senior police and government officials declined immediate comment saying a four-officer team was handling the investigation.

The government said Benazir Bhutto was killed when the force of the blast smashed her head into a lever on the sun-roof, which fractured her skull.

Her party dismisses that as "ludicrous" saying she was killed by a bullet in the head.

Doctors did not carry out a post-mortem of Bhutto's body on the instructions of her family, officials say.

The Interior Ministry said on Saturday her body could be exhumed for more tests if her party wanted.

Staff Reporter

The US delegates of Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs), who participated in the three-day NRB conference in Dhaka yesterday demanded trial of war crimes and disqualifying the war criminals and anti-liberation elements along with the corrupts for contesting elections.

The expatriates also urged the election commission to take immediate steps to enrol NRBs in the voter list so that they can exercise their franchise in the next general election.

They also proposed for reserved seats in parliament for the NRBs, who are remitting huge amount of foreign currencies to Bangladesh at press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium in the city.

Eminent Bangladeshi scientist, living in the USA, Dr Nurun Nabi read out a written statement in the press conference. Among others, Prof Dr Abdul Momen, Munirul Islam, Abu Taleb and Joynal Abedin spoke on the occasion. They urged the government to lift the state of emergency in the country to ensure free, fair and neutral elections according to the roadmap announced by the Election Commission.

The expatriates informed that two lakh, out of five lakh Bangladeshi expatriates in the USA, are eligible for enrolling as voter.

Not only the voting right, the expatriates should be allowed to contest in the polls so that they are encouraged more to contribute to the nation, Dr Nurun Nabi said.

He praised the Caretaker Government for its anti-corruption drive and hoped that it will help building a corruption-free society in the society. At the same time, the expatriate representative said, "Democracy in the true sense could never be established in the country unless the war criminals and collaborators are made disqualified for contesting any election."

"The war criminals are must to be put on trial for the sake of democracy and a stable Bangladesh," he said.

The NRBs in USA suggested reform initiatives in some sectors including strengthening the local government bodies. They responded positively to the Chief Adviser's call for working in a concerted manner so that the country could be uplift into a middle-income country by 2021.

Mashiur Rahaman

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday ends trading for the year 2007 with 91 percent growth in general index within the year. The index opened the year at 1583.09 points and closed with an additional 1434.12 points at 3017.21 points.

"Following this upward market trend, equity markets are expected to further flourish in the year 2008 with increasing market capitalization," said investors and market experts after the last trading session in 2007 at DSE.

During the last day's trading, DSE general index rose by 0.44 percent, added 13.334 points while closing the trade at 3017.21 points.

Talking to The New Nation, investors and traders have shown their optimism in coming year and expected to recover their capital losses, which they have put up with at the end of the departure year.

"Shares of Oil and Banking sectors are expected to lead the market growth in early 2008, where telecommunication sector is likely to join their upward trends by mid-2008," said an equity market analyst from the LankaBangla Finance Limited.

According to him, banking sectors played vital role in 2007 market growth, which is likely to continue during the early couple of months in 2008. "Annual profit announcements and dividends would keep the sector moving," he added.

On the other hand, share of petroleum companies are likely to overlap all other sectors, accelerated by the attachment of two government owned oil companies in capital business, concerning experts informed.

"Jamuna Oil with 1.30 crore shares and Meghna Oil with 1.20 crore share are expected to enter the business in early February 2008. Involvement of these two companies have already sparked positive movements into existing oil sectors," added equity experts.

"Even, many short term investors have withdrawn their investment from other sectors and are waiting for the new oil shares to appear," experts commented.

Tele-Communication sector is another sector, likely to join with equity market growth in coming year, said market concerns.

According to them, Shares of Grameen Phone and Tele Talk are expected in the capital market by the middle of 2008. Bangla Link has also intended to join the market trend by the end of 2008, as reported.

"Availability of these major Tele Communication companies would definitely give a boom to all similar sectors in the capital market," experts foretell.

"If capital business keeps flowing this way, coming 2008 would be an ideal year for equity business," said K M Al Mannan from LankaBangla Finance Limited.

Involvement of such blue-cheep companies in equity business would significantly increase total market capitalization, which means more shares available for trade and healthy business, added Al Mannan.

According to him, shares of some companies, which were trading in high rates, are likely to face technical corrections at the beginning of 2008. "Such corrections are expected mostly in banking sector," he ended.

Meanwhile, some investors and traders also expressed their disappointment over the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) for their unwise actions, taken in 2007 to control the market.

"We believe that any SEC action is to control unregulated market, meant to minimize investors risk. But what we have witnessed last year was unwise and unexpected from them. It has crashed the market several times, forcing many small and short-term investors out of business," said investors while talking to the reporter.

However, they have expected that any SEC notification or action in coming years would appear with certain time period before their applications.

"Equity market moves on rumours and trends. Any certain notification by the SEC sparks panic among investors, ends with market crash as we have witnessed. We hope SEC would notice the matter seriously," they ended.

According to the DSE annual trading report issued yesterday for the year 2007, DSE All Share Price Index raised 95 percent and DSE 20 Index raised 79 percent.

Market Capitalization rose by Tk 8248.93 crore within the year, closing at Tk 31066.35 crore, where the highest figure was Tk 75774.68 crore and lowest was Tk 30883.05 crore as reported.

Total turnover in 2007 was reported 282.29 shares. Total 14 new companies enlisted with DSE in 2007 while the figure was 13 in 2006.

Trading in DSE and CSE will remain closed due to Bank Holyday, as announced.

Staff Reporter

Leaders of Bangladesh Business Community (BBC), based in Riyadh, yesterday said if the prevailing banking complexities in sending money from Saudi Arabia can be removed, the amount of remittance would be double.

Addressing a press conference at a local hotel in the capital, BBC President Mohammad Sharif Hossain alleged that the remittance is not reached to the recipients in time due to banking complexities.

'Money sent for the Eid festival is yet to reach to the recipients,' he said, adding, 'some banks take 10 days to 30 days to delivery money.'

He said, the BBC leaders requested the Chief Adviser and the Army Chief while they were in Saudi Arabia to perform the holy Haj, for taking steps to remove the barriers with the banks in sending the remittances. Replying to a question, he said some two million Bangladeshis staying in Saudi Arabia sent 44 percent of the total remittance in the last fiscal year.

Sharif Hossain announced that the BBC is going to organise the 4th single-country trade fair in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia from March 12 next year with a view to promoting export of Bangladeshi products there.

The Saudi Commerce Minister is expected to inaugurate the five-day long fair, he said.

Replying to a question, the BBC President said there is a huge market of pharmaceutical and readymade garments in Saudi Arabia.

There are also huge market of non-conventional items, like lungi, clock and napkin in Saudi Arabia as there are huge number of expatriate Bangladesh is and Indian community, he said.

He said, some 200 Bangladeshi stalls, 50 from the real estate companies, under the umbrella of REHAB would be set up in the fair.

Leather and jute products, tea, jewelries, cables and melamine products, among others, would be displayed in the fair, he hoped.

Among others, Bangladeshi businessman Sheikh Mohammad Ali Jinnah, TAM Fakhrul Basher, REHAB member Rafiqunnabi, BBC Adviser Mohammad Hanif, Bangladesh Liaison Officer Muhammad Munirul Huq, Mukhlesur Rahman and Md Mahbubur Rahman were present on the occasion.

The fair will be organised in collaboration with the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh.

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Sunday said the government in near future would go for implementing large-scale physical infrastructure rehabilitation works in the Cyclone 'Sidr' affected coastal belt.

The government is discussing with the representatives of friendly countries and development partners for long-term rehabilitation programme in the coastal belt, he said while receiving donations for the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund from individuals, institutions and organizations.

Dr Fakhruddin informed that President of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has assured to extend cooperation for the rehabilitation work in cyclone-hit areas.

The IDB president made the assurance at a meeting with the Chief Adviser during his stay in Saudi Arabia for performing hajj.

The Chief Adviser said relief operation in the affected areas is almost at the closing stage and the government is giving attention to rehabilitation activities.

Rehabilitation in agriculture sector is getting priority and Krishi Bank and other micro credit institutions are providing loans to farmers and fishermen to help them resume their economic activities.

Krishi Banks branches in the affected areas have strengthened their manpower for quick disbursement of agri-loan.

Dr Fakhruddin said relief operation has been carried out in a commendable manner with the concerted efforts of all including different Ministries, departments and the Armed Forces.

He said the maximum amount of donations to the CA's relief fund is being spent for reconstruction of houses. So far, Tk 130 crore has been allocated and distributed from the fund.

Apprehensions of the outbreak of waterborne diseases in the affected areas were overcome and it did not take place as a result of various efforts, he said.

The Chief Adviser expressed happiness as many Bangladeshi expatriates today (Sunday) made donations and thanked them especially as they came forward guided by their attachment towards the country and compassion for the countrymen.

The day's donors include Liberation War Affairs Ministry; Education Ministry; Social Welfare Ministry; Bangladesh-Australia Association of Western Australia; Bangladesh Air Force Contingent in the UN Mission in Congo; Rabeya Haider; Abeda Majid; Sylhet Society-Uttara;

Delta Life Insurance Co. Ltd.; Bangladesh Textile Mills Association;

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh, UK Chapter; Cyber Café Owners Association of Bangladesh; OEKO Tex Ltd.; OBAT Helpers Inc (USA); Belal-Sujon-Shilu Campaign Committee of New England, USA;

Computer Source Ltd.; Eric Maloney; Dhaka Expatriate Association in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Bangladeshi expatriate in London Abdul Latif Chowdhury and London Expatriate Balaganj Society.

BSS, Dhaka

After short snaps of mild cold waves, a mild to moderate cold wave is likely to greet the new year in another three to five days, met office sources told BSS yesterday.

Though the year was ending with a mild cold wave in Rajshahi division on Sunday, it suddenly disappeared on Monday. But it was the prelude to a mild to moderate cold wave, the sources said.

As the mild cold wave was gone from the northwest, the fog it brought along also began thinning.

If the mild to cold wave take over the winter cool, the shroud of fog blanketing the sun may also disappear, the met sources said further.

Since December 20 the bite of the winter season was felt first at northeastern town of Srimangal, where mercury fell to 8.8 degrees Celsius.

The season's lowest minimum temperature of 7.2C was recorded in southwestern Jessore town on December 21. Earlier on December 20 it dropped to 7.3C at Rajshahi city.

It was 8.6C in Rajshahi on Sunday. But rose to 10.3C yesterday.

The lowest minimum temperature in the country yesterday was 9.5C recorded in Jessore.

The highest maximum temperature in the country yesterday was 28.8C in Cox's Bazar. The maximum temperature in Dhaka on Sunday was 25.3C and the minimum 15.4C, Chittagong maximum was 26C and the minimum 14.8C, Rajshahi maximum 25.3C, Khulna maximum 24.5C and minimum 12.7C, Barisal maximum 25.5C and minimum13.3C, Sylhet maximum 27C and minimum 15.3C.

The met forecast during the next 24 hours beginning at 6pm yesterday said the weather is likely to remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country. Light to moderate fog may occur over the river basins of the country during the early morning.

The night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, the forecast added.

Little change is likely in weather, the met outlook for the next two days said.

But the night temperature may fall, it said in its extended outlook for another five days.

UNB, Dhaka

While the country runs short of power, the coming irrigation season that starts from mid-January will require additional 1,000MW electricity for operating an increased number of pumps mainly for watering paddies.

The number of irrigational pumps will be increased by 11 percent across the country, in order to support massive crop cultivation, especially growing paddy, as there is a need of recouping a colossal loss the agricultural sector suffered in two-pronged floods and super-cyclone SIDR in recent times.

Disclosing the information on Sunday at a press briefing at Bidyut Bhaban, Power and Energy Advisor Tapan Chowdhury said that there would be 300-650MW load shedding to ensure adequate power supply to the pumps.

Country's power generation will be between 3,600 and 3,800 megawatts in the upcoming dry season.

He said electricity connections would be provided to a total of 2.5 lakh irrigational pumps across the country in the coming year. "This figure is 11 percent higher than that of the outgoing year."

Power Secretary Dr. M fouzul Kabir Khan and other senior officials of Power and Energy Ministry were present at the press briefing.

Tapan Chowdhury claimed that the Power Division has taken all-out efforts to ensure requisite and quality electricity supply to the irrigational pumps.

Under the initiative, he said, the government-run irrigation projects and the private projects which cover large areas would get the highest priority in getting electricity supply.

The power advisor of the caretaker government mentioned that power generation units have been overhauled targeting smooth electricity during the irrigation season.

He said coal production at the Barapukuria coal mine would be in full swing in two phases to supply adequate coal to the adjacent 250MW coal-fired power plant. "We hope both the units of the plants will be operating in the coming season."

Tapan Chowdhury, however, said despite the efforts, the power department has to go for the load shedding although there would be lower electricity demand across the country in the current winter when the irrigation season starts.

He said during the operation of the irrigation pumps, there would be huge reactive power which might lead to low- voltage problem in the city's power-supply system.

To address the problem, DESA and DESCO will take necessary measures, he told the journalists.

The power advisor said some measures have been taken in line with suggestions made by the investigation committee to forestall disaster in the national grid in future.

Laden warning

WASHINGTON : Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden warned Muslims against supporting Iraq's US-backed government and promised the "liberation of Palestine," in a new online message issued Saturday. In the 56-minute tape, the hunted militant accused the United States of seeking to control the region through the Iraqi government, according to SITE, a US-based institute that monitors extremist web forums. He singled out Iraqis fighting against Al-Qaeda in Anbar province, and the Islamic Party of Iraq, a political group allied with the government, saying that Muslims supporting it are traitors to Islam, the monitor said in a report. "The group is assisting the Americans in Iraq" and "fighting against the mujahideen" Islamist warriors, Bin Laden said, according to an excerpt translated from the Arabic by SITE.

Pilgrims stranded

in Red Sea

BBC Online: Some 2,000 Palestinians returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca are stranded on two boats off the Egyptian coast. Egypt is insisting that they must re-enter Gaza through Aouja, a border crossing controlled by Israel. The group is thought to include senior members of the militant organisation Hamas, and Israel believes some of them may attempt to smuggle funds into Gaza. Hamas believes that if the pilgrims travel through Aouja, Israel will arrest the Hamas members. Senior Hamas officials have accused Egypt of bowing to Israeli pressure by refusing to let the pilgrims cross into Gaza through the Rafah border crossing, which is the only entry-point into Gaza not controlled by Israel. "We are aware of the Israeli and American pressures on Egypt, and we urge Egypt to reject these pressures and to allow the pilgrims a safe return through Rafah," Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told reporters.