The New Nation - Internet Edition

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband during his recent visit to Dhaka said a fully functioning democracy could not operate under the emergency, and expressed the hope that elections would be held by December or even before that as per the roadmap announced by the government.

Miliband said his country encourages positive and constructive dialogue between the Caretaker Government and the political parties. Before his departure he told a press conference that the outcome of the dialogue is a mutual responsibility of the Caretaker Government and the political parties. He said, "Right now, Bangladesh and its people are striving to achieve a democracy that will endure."

Meanwhile, the Ambassador designate of the US to Bangladesh, James F Moriarty, told a Senate Foreign Relations Committee the other day that if Bangladesh succeeds in building a tolerant, prosperous democracy, it will serve as a shining beacon for much of the world. If it fails in these tasks, it could become a nation of ungoverned space and a potential safe haven and crossroads for international terrorism.

Both US and UK appreciate the progress that has been made in the preparation of a photo voter list, and the commitments made by the Chief Adviser and the Army Chief for the restoration of democracy so that the country does not plunge into chaos once again.

They want to work with Bangladesh and help achieve the objective.

The question that confronts all at this hour is, whether the political parties and their leaders who would take over the affairs of the state after the scheduled elections have prepared themselves for the change? Have the political parties gone through a process of intra-party reforms with a view to ensuring that there would be the practice of democracy within their organisations and money and muscle power would not make their core values hostage.

Sure enough, there are many in party politics who regret their past mistakes and who are ready to restore the dignity of democratic politics. But they need help and support through clear and bold policy role of the caretaker government. The present caretaker government cannot remain politicially neutral. No success will be seen as success if the caretaker government cannot deliver on reclaiming democracy. Practice of democratic politics will not be easy to guide. Political plunderers are not going to give up easily. There is need for policy assurance for democrats from the caretaker government. Such signs are still to come. And the failure to guide the country toward democracy will be disasterous.

It is difficult to say what would be the outcome of the proposed dialogue between the government and the political parties if there is little positive change in the modes of operation of the parties that are supposed to lead the nation. It's time for a wakeup call for conscientious political leaders to take initiatives for reforms and lead the country towards genuine democracy.