The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Asking the Government to lift the state of emergency as early as possible, the visiting British Foreign Secretary David Milliband yesterday said a fully functioning democracy could not operate under the emergency.

He said his country wants to see a functional democracy in Bangladesh that would be characterised by strong and independent democratic institutions, including an independent judiciary and free press.

David Milliband, who arrived in Dhaka yesterday afternoon on a two-day visit, said this while talking to journalists after a meeting with Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at the state guesthouse Padma in the capital.

During his visit to Bangladesh, he will meet with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and Chief of the Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed. He will travel to the northeastern districts of Sylhet and Sunamganj to visit projects financed by the UK Department for International Development, Britain's development arm.

The British Minister said his visit to Bangladesh ahead of the general elections was being viewed by the diplomatic community as significant as he was expected to spell out the British Government's position on the state of democracy, economic development and human rights in the country.

He said, "I will be exploring with ministers (advisers) over the next 36 hours discussing more widely how we can ensure as soon as possible Bangladesh last year becomes a full functioning democracy bringing all the benefits to the people."

"We are impressed by the steps taken by the Caretaker Government for over a which was. We got signs of a movement towards democratic election even before December deadline. We certainly look forward to the commitment of the Government being fulfilled," he said.

The UK Minister extended support to the Caretaker Government and expressed the hope that the Caretaker Government would fulfill its commitment to hold free and fair election at the latest by December this year.

The British Foreign Secretary said all knows that a democratic country needs more formal institutions for democratic politics. It requires independent judiciary, a judicial system that deals with all individuals without fear or favour. It also requires development of a free media.

"Britain wants to support strong, independent and effective democratic institutions," he asserted.

Terming Bangladesh a very important country for Britain, he said, "We are proud of links that exist between Britain and Bangladesh."

Bangladesh was increasingly becoming important in the region and its regional role alongside other forces is also important, he added.

Referring to his talks with the Foreign Adviser, David Milliband said issues of climate change, global trade and political extremism were discussed.

He said the leadership of Caretaker Government on issue of climate change is very important. The Chief Adviser played a significant role last year in supporting Britain's drive on UN Security Council discussion on the climate change issue.

On global trade, he said the UK would see how countries like Bangladesh expand its economy through global trade.

On extremism, the Foreign Secretary said political extremism does not respect national boundaries. "It is a threat to nations all over the world…We want to work together to tackle extremism and terrorism wherever it has," he said.

"We have obviously touched domestic situation here in Bangladesh. We are impressed by the steps forward, welcome steps forward, that have been taken over the last difficult year by the Caretaker Government," said the UK Foreign Secretary.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said they have had very fruitful talks on various issues relating to Bangladesh, institution building, climate change, trading, global politics and the needs and reasons for global stability.

"We have also discussed possibility of a compact partnership between Bangladesh and Britain to uphold our common values," he said.

British High Commissioner Anwar Chowdhury and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were present at the meeting.

After his meeting with the Foreign Adviser, David Miliband had a meeting with three Election Commissioners, including Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda.

"I had a very positive discussion with three electoral officials. I'm impressed by the professionalism with which they are approaching their task," the British Minister told journalists after his meeting with the Election Commissioners

Miliband referred to the 36 million voters so far registered with photographs under the present Election Commission, which he said shows "real commitment and high level of competence".

"We had discussed the election timetable set by the caretaker government. We had also discussed the importance of local elections," he said.

"I look forward to the completion of compiling the electoral roll," he said.

David Milliband, also the British Secretary of Commonwealth Affairs, later at a function painted a bright future of Bangladesh.

He came up with the observation after an hour-long discussion with 10 young leaders from various sectors in Bangladesh at the British Council here in the afternoon.

"I have been given an impressive introduction about Bangladesh. The young leaders have presented and discussed the potentials and problems of the country," Milliband told journalists after the discussion titled "The Future of Bangladesh".

He expressed the hope that if such leadership can lead the country, the future of Bangladesh is very bright.

The discussion in the meeting featured current political situation, state of emergency and present political demands and the caretaker government's task for holding the next general election, militant attacks in different parts of the country and reform of constitutional institutions.

Ten Bangladeshi participants in the discussion were Asifa Raihana, President, CSB; Zayed Almer Khan, Managing Editor, The New Age; Zafar Sobhan, Assistant Editor, The Daily Star; Dr Lazeena Muna, Social Mobilization and Partnership Adviser, UNAIDS; Ispy Islam, Managing Partner, Asian Tiger Capital Partner; Asheque Moyeed, Director and Head of Capital Market, Standard Chattered Bank; Shahab Enam Khan, Project Director, Bangladesh Enterprise Institute; Zahir Uddin Swapan; Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh leader Mahi B Chowdhury and Awami League leader Dr Dipu Moni.

British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury was also present at the meeting.