The New Nation - Internet Edition

Disbursement of diesel subsidy

THE government has set criteria for the deserving recipients of diesel susidy for irrigation. According to the decision, farmers having 2.5 acres of Boro land will be eligible for getting the subsidies. April 17 has been set for the list of the farmers to be finalised while the distribution of subsidy is to begin on April 25 and end by May 15.

The government has for the first time in the country's history earmarked Tk 750 crore as diesel subsidy in the current budget to help the farmers who incurred losses in last year's devastating floods and cyclone to resume production. If properly implemented, it is likely to help incease Boro output which accounts for nearly 50 percent of the country's annual foodgrains production. Bro cultivation is highly dependent on irrigation, of which almost 77 percent is diesel-run pump dependent. The production target of 17.5 million tonnes of rice from 4.40 million hectares of land this season, if achieved, is expected to ease the problem of food supply.

It is already more than a month since the farmers planted the Boro seedlings but the list of the farmers is yet to be completed. A good plan would not bring expected results unless it is implemented on time. The farmers are now at the peak of demand for diesel. So the concerned agencies should expedite the procss to ensure early distribution of subsidy. The authorities must ensure that eligible farmers are not left out of the list. The genuine farmers might be give cards like those disributed under the VGF programme. A good harvest of the Boro crops hinges upon successful cultivation by the marginal and poor farmers. Early disbursement of subsidy is extremely important.

Containing population growth

THE present population of Bangladesh is estimated to be about 150 million. However, even if the official version of the annual population growth rate at 1.48 per cent is accepted, the population could be an enormous one at about 275 million only about half a century from now. But land space and natural resources would not be growing as fast. How then to take care of such a vast population in about only 55,000 square miles of territory with its limited resources? This is indeed, posing a very serious question.

Bangladesh is already the world's seventh biggest country in population size. Other countries with big population such as USA or Brazil have almost continent size territories and huge natural resources to take care of their population. For instance, the population of the USA is some 294 million. Bangladesh has roughly the half of the population of the USA. But, in contrast, the country has about only one-fiftieth of USA's land space. Bangladesh is too overpopulated by any definition. Already, the existing size of the population and its growth have created crisis-like situations in sectors of housing, employment and health.

The crises are going to be deeper in the near future and could shatter whatever socio-political and economic stability the country has at present. Clearly, the population issue is building up into a worst case scenario. The official population control programme is expected to be the main instrument for limiting births. But this programme, at present, is shabbily operated. It needs to be made much more efficient in terms of service delivery. It should be invigorated to render much more devoted services in different areas of population control and for this sloth and incompetence, now noted in the running of this programme, should be urgently done away with.

Christian Democrats most influential in Europe

Mokarram Hossain

Recently, an event, country's politics based on religion, highly strokes the concentration of all levels people of Bangladesh vis- scholars, politicians, civil society members and general masses also and is deemed as one of the grave issues for the country. Several so-called intellectuals, party members and even parties claim the ban on religion-based political party to the government of Bangladesh i.e. election commission.

Chief election commissioner, at the outset of their demand, falls into dilemma and espoused their demand in its smootish sense, but currently, has put his right speech to confer its continuity in the political process of Bangladesh in a way that it is beyond our surveillance. No provision of the constitution of the 'People's Republic of Bangladesh' does articulate the ban on religion-based politics.

We, in this regard, may adjoin scores of instances in different Europe-American states' advanced democratic system where political parties are activated on how and what extent? Is there no politics or political party based on religion?

Germany, the country is known for her extension in knowledge, science, art and literature and also her diverse newly inventions at different areas. Karl Marx and Hegel are called the pioneers of last century's dominant theory, 'Socialism' and their birth place is the Germany. Sigmoid Freud, the father of the theory of 'Freudian Sexualism' was a Swiss-German. Besides, is there anyone who doesn't know the name of Albert Einstein, the greatest scientist of the thousands of year is the progeny of this country? In Germany, the name of the present ruling party is 'Christian Democratic Union' and associate of this party is another religion-based party namely 'Christian Socialist Union'. Angela Marcel, the current chancellor of Germany, is the chief of this party and for long time, they are known as one of the biggest parties in Germany. They ruled various provinces but no one raised the question on the ban of this party for a split second.

United Kingdom (UK) is the pioneer of west minister type of democracy and this country is highly considered the one of the sparkling follower of democratic standard if we cite two countries who rigorously practice the democracy in the world. In this country, a party namely 'Scottish Christian Party' is lied more validly and they, in 2004, gained 1.8% of total vote through partaking in the European parliamentary election. The Queen of Britain is the chief of Anglican Church. Besides, the bishopric 25 seats are reserved in the House of Lord in England.

The Netherlands is one of the democratic countries in Europe. A four-party alliance government is now in power. The name of the biggest party of this country is 'Dutch Christian Democratic Party'. And the alliance party of coalition government is another religion-based party whose name is 'Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the root ideology of this party is 'Christian Democracy'. 'Only Bible is the source of inspiration of a party member' is the main theme of CDU. Recently, this coalition government has shown their religious audacity through ousting 26 thousands immigrants (mainly Muslim) from the Netherlands.

Switzerland is called the country of neutrality, prosperity and natural beauty in the world landscape. Democracy is formed with its strictness. For this reason, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, most likely, uttered-'I would like to build Bangladesh as the Switzerland of Asia'. Now, one and a half dozens of political parties are lively playing their role in the country. Among these parties, three parties, such as 'Christian Peoples Party, Christian Socialist Party, and Evangelic Peoples Party' whose main foundation is the 'Christian Democracy'. 'Christian Peoples Party' is as old as 100 years of its tenure as a dominant figure in the field of politics. It was framed in 1912 and it is one of the partners of the coalition government of Switzerland. It was able to poll 15.0, 20.7 and 14.6 percent of total vote in the year of 2003, 2005 and 2007 respectively.

The country named Italy is called the 'state of multi-party democratic system' in the world and this country is one of the prosperous countries in Europe and it is the member of G-8. No party has been come in power with an absolute majority for long time there. Among the seven dominant parties of the state, 'Christian Union' is one of them where the representation of this party is more than 30 in the national parliament and popular support is also more than 4% .

One of the well-off and democratic countries in the Europe is Austria. In this country, 'Christian Socialist Party' (CSP) was formed in 1893 under the leadership of Karl Lugar, the then Mayor of Vienna and the leader of 'absolute rightist movement'. Since liberation of Austria in 1945, CSP changed its name into 'Austrian Peoples Party'. In 2000, it constituted the government through erecting a coalition with another rightist party, 'Austrian Freedom Party'.

And only 2 years later i.e. in the election of 2002, it was able to triumph and form the government alone with the greater majority in the parliament. CSP party originated from religion bondage has been ruling the country since hundred and quarters years last and has been considered the main political party in the country. Besides, so many political parties based on religion in various countries like Denmark, Estonia, Albania, Haiti, Hungary, Lebanon, Norway, Syria, Sweden, Panama, Papua new genii, Bolivia.

Canada is one of the aspirated countries to the immigrants of the world. Immigrants of distinct languages and religions from various countries come through the process of migration to this country. With the help of Roman Catholic, in 2000, 'Christian Democratic Party' was formed in Québec, one of the well-known provinces of Canada. It is uttered in the main principle of this party that combination between the orthodox Christianity and Québec nationalism will be the principal motto of the party'.

This party, at all times, takes part sternly against the getting marriage of same sex, abortion, homosexuality etc. Very few days ago, 'United Religious Front', an umbrella organization of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Sheiks of Canada launched their agitation simultaneously from the Mosques, Churches, Temples, Synagogues and Guru duaras against the law introduced for the homosexuality.

Christian Democratic Union based on the slogan of Christian renaissance is working in the United States of America. In the website of party, it has been introduced that 'We would be quickly emerged as a third force in US against two dominant parties. We have to keep it in our focus of the successful episode of European Christian Democrats. Now, they are incumbent in various countries of Europe as well as in Germany.

Those who have joined in chorus in Bangladeshi-set-up for the ban on the politics based on religion claim themselves as the believer of scientific socialism. It's an interesting fact that a party named as 'Christian Democratic Party' is working more briskly in Cuba, dominant socialist state branded by sickle-hammer. Here all parties are forbidden except parties based on socialist values. So, this party, 'Christian Democratic Party' conducts its activities from Miami, a province in the United States.

Australia is the country well known for its multi-party democracy in the world. There are a dozen of political parties with their diverse ideologies existing in the country and among them, 'New South Wales Christian Democratic Party' is one of them. There are two members of parliament of this party in the present parliament.

This party is playing a crucial role in keeping up moral values among the Christian ideologists. Their move always goes stringently against abortion, homosexuality, pornography and marriages with same sex, etc. Fred Nile, the head of this party, came into scene stalwartly, prior to the election in 2007, for his speech against the Muslims' migration as immigrants in Australia and his demagogic speech was delivered to stroke the concentration of Australian government.

India, our neighboring country is familiar, as the largest democratic country in the world (by population). It is also called the secular state in pen-and-ink. But BJP, the orthodox ascendants of reincarnation who dream the throne of Ram, became the stuff of discussion for their stab in obliterating the Babri-Mosque, the old-time holy place for Muslim community by 500 years in India. BJP launched its journey in 1980 and it captured two seats in the election of 1984 and for the time being, in 1996, became incumbent authority within 15 years. After the discussion of Hindu based religion parties in India, we may add numerous political parties based on Islam is Muslim League, Jamiate Ulama-e-Islam, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind etc. In 1992, an embargo was imposed on religious based Islamic parties by the Indian Government subsequent to destroying Babri Mosque although Supreme Court of India compelled to revoke the ban on the politics based on religion.

Since more than 80% people of Hindu community are living in Nepal, it was called the Hindu majority country until May 18, 2006. Cattle, the deity of Laskmi, are forbidden to sacrifice by the Government of Nepal and even recognized as a national animal. Religious conversion is authoritatively forbidden in this case. According to Krishna Bhattacharya, an anthropologist in Katmandu, 'Nepalese Monarchy of 240 years basically originated from Hinduism'. Sanatan Religious Association, Nepalese Janata Party (BJP's Nepalese Brand) are the main religious based political parties which are the member of 'World Hindu Association', an umbrella organization of world Hindus.

Malaysia, in spite of being the country of third world, has highly come into sight for its notable process of development and tolerance triggered by the charismatic leadership in state-building process. Under the charismatic leadership of Mahatir Muhammad, 'United Malay National Party' ruled the country last 2 decades. Only the dominant opponent party (PAS) based on religion is prevalent and it experienced the ruling period of three provinces for long times and the name of Abdul Aziz, well- known to all to lead a simple life is the leader of this party in Malaysia.

There are numerous dominant religious based political parties in the Muslim countries as Hizb-e-Islami in Afghanistan, Al-Islah Party in Bahrain and Yemen, Ikwanul Muslimun in Egypt, Syria and Jordan, Hezbullah in Lebanon, Justice and Development party in Morocco, Islamic Front in Sudan, Annahdah Party in Tunisia, Justice and Development Party as ruling party and Sadat Party in Turkey, and Jamaat and Jamiat-e- Islami in Pakistan etc. Even in Maldives, the religion based party namely Adalat Party is highly remarkable.

It is vivid that taking part in religion based politics and capturing state power to be equipped with that of religious tools in Christian countries are easier than that of Muslim majority countries in the world. Ikwanul Muslimun, in spite of being one of the popular parties in the Middle East, was forbidden by autocrat rulers for many times. 'Islamic Salvation Front', the religion based Islamic party in Algeria, was not been able to arrive at its throne although it conquered 80% of total vote in a free, fair and impartial election in 1989. With the red signal triggered by western powers, Military Junta seized the power of the country in 1990. The chief of the Rafah Party and the then Prime Minister of Turkey Nazimuddin Arbakan was ousted from the office of incumbency for illogical threat done by the military of Turkey.

The one-sided propaganda of western media let the world people seem no politics based on religion in western countries. Religious parties merely are creating problems in Muslim countries. In Canada, America, Europe-is there any party named as Hindu, Muslim, and Christian, how is religion used in election propaganda before conducting election, are they (candidates) or not intense to prove themselves as practicing Christian among people, is any procession lead from the Church?-we should study more to comprehend the reality ardently.

In Bangladesh, those (political parties) who claim the ban on politics based on religion, their position in terms of owning vote, according to the Election Commission report, became as numeric data between 0.0 and 0.2%. The source reports that in the last National parliament election of Bangladesh held on October 01, 2001, they (leftist block) viz- JASAD(JSD), Workers Party, CPB, Shammobadi Dal, Democratic party and NAP got 0.21, 0.07, 0.1, 0.0, 0.01, and 0.0 percent of total vote respectively.

We should decide, whom we will follow, those who are developing their countries by practicing multi-party democracy, ensuring freedom of expressions, enhancing tolerance and harmony or those who are endowed with militarism, dictatorship, tyranny, all kinds of oligarchies etc. which habitually chuck the people into the black hole of autocracy for snatching people's freedom and individual liberty?

Has Rice mission failed?

Dr.Abdul Ruff

Notwithstanding the efforts from the USA to find a lasting solution to Middle East turmoil by establishing a Palestine state to exist side-by-side with its arch foe that keeps killing innocent Palestinians in its air-strikes and ground attacks conducted intermittently, Israel has once again invaded the Gaza territory of defenseless Palestinians, many of them civilians. In protest, Palestinian (Fatah) President Mahmoud president Abbas called off negotiations with the Israelis in response to the Gaza attacks. This generated world wide criticism and many nations requested US to quickly intervene to stop Israeli air-strikes in Gaza. With a view to reducing tensions in Gaza, US President George W. Bush dutifully dispatched his Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the region.

Thus, on a two-day trip to meet the leaders of Egypt, Israel and Palestine (Fatah), the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived first in Egypt on March 03 at the start of a regional tour with hopes for an Israeli Palestinian peace deal hit hard by an escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip by the latest Israeli invasion killing over 120 innocent Palestinians, including a baby, which was killed by a ricocheting bullet. Condoleezza Rice met Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, his Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit and the intelligence supremo Omar Suleiman, who had on that day cancelled a trip to Israel in protest at Israel's Gaza offensive. Rice has reportedly requested Mubarak to mediate between Israel and Hams on behalf of USA for diffusing the situation for the time being. Following the swift visit by US secretary of State, Rice, Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza leading to the victory claim by Hamas Palestinians.

"I continue to believe that they can get to a deal by the end of the year," Rice said in the plane taking her to Cairo. US now seems to be a bit serious about the peace deal after the Annapolis meet and the Rice visit was meant to move Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations forward, following a commitment by both sides at a conference in November in the US. Rice has been calling for the resumption of peace talks as soon as possible, saying they were necessary to counter Hamas' influence. Rice followed up meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas by urging their top negotiators and Israel's defense chief to get negotiations launched in Annapolis last November back on track. "The key is to make certain that the peace process continues," Rice said. A visibly disturbed Condoleezza Rice met Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert late on 04 March and held discussed the Israeli aggression with him. Rice, as a major departure form the standard US policy of hailing every terrorist attack Israel on Palestinians, has urged Israel to take more care not to kill civilians in its military operations. Rice also met Foreign and Defence Ministers Tzipi Livni and Ehud Barak, who also served as premier of Israel before Olmert took over from, the next day, before leaving for Brussels for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers. Tzipi Livni has been leading talks with Palestinian leaders for the Israelis.

The secretary of state, however, refrained from openly criticizing Israel over its Operation Hot Winter which claimed dozens of Palestinian lives in the space of two days in the Gaza Strip, including women and children, noting that the onslaught was in self defense. Condoleezza Rice wound up a two-day trip to the region that hoped to revive peace talks. Funerals were held on 03 March for the Palestinians killed in the fighting, while Hamas called a rally in Gaza City. But despite the defiance, Palestinians do not believe this is the last of the violence and are steering themselves for more bloodshed, says the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Gaza. There were anti-Israeli demonstrations across the West Bank.

Rice stressed her confidence in the chances of success for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process launched in November at Annapolis, but, however, bent on blaming Hamas - perhaps for tactical reason of keeping Israelis in good humors, for the recent burst of violence in the Middle East. "The Annapolis process is hardly underway. We are three months intI am going to have discussions with the Egyptians, with the Palestinians and with the Israelis about how you might get violence to stop. But first and foremost Hamas needs to stop firing rockets into Israeli cities," she said referring to the ruling Islamist group in the Gaza Strip. "Obviously the situation in Gaza is one that is concerning," Rice went on. But t we need to continue to work, first of all to make certain that everyone understands that Hamas is doing what might be expected, which is using attacks, rocket attacks on Israel to try to arrest a peace process in which they have nothing to gain." She merely called on the Israelis, however, to allow the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza, saying: "One, again, has to think in carrying out military operations, about the day after."

The objective of intermittent air-strikes in Palestine, certainly, is to weaken Hamas and coerce them to accept any deal that is offered to them by Israel. Immediately after the departure of Rice, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned that the withdrawal of troops from Gaza did not mean Israel's military operation there is over. Israel had called a "two-day interval" while US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Jerusalem and Ramallah in the West Bank. Olmert said that everything is possible, including air strikes, ground strikes "and special operations are all being discussed". Israeli forces pulled out overnight, several days after entering Gaza to try to suppress rocket fire. But, as it is a known Israeli strategy, Olmert neatly warned: "What happened in recent days was not a one-off event."

The Palestinian political group Hamas claimed victory over Israeli forces and held a rally in Gaza City, without even realizing the fact that they were in fact celebrating the death of 120 innocent Palestinian deaths killed by Israeli forces through state terror unleashed to silence the Palestinians to and weaken the Fatah faction so as to bully them to agree with the Israeli position. The Israelis seem to suggest that USA cannot stop the Israeli genocide of Palestinians, irrespective of the world opinion against them. And, however, Israeli forces again briefly re-entered the Gaza Strip and clashed with Palestinians, with two people killed by gunfire. Israeli ground forces and Hamas defense forces clashed inside the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, a day after Israel said it was ending its five-day incursion to end Hamas' cross-border rocket attacks.

Palestinians have complained at the slow pace of talks, accusing the Israelis of failing to carry out promises to ease checkpoints and other security restrictions in the West Bank and of not curbing new Jewish settlement activity. Palestinian negotiators Ahmed Qurei and Saeb Erekat met Rice early on 04 March and pushed her to put more pressure on Israel, a close U.S. ally. Speaking in the West Bank, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who has formally suspended contacts with Israel in protest at its operation in Gaza, resisted US pressure to resume peace talks given events in Gaza, which is under control of the militant Hamas movement. "I call on the Israeli government to halt its aggression so the necessary environment can be created to make negotiations succeed, for us and for them, to reach the shores of peace in 2008," Abbas said. Despite the misgivings of many Middle East experts, both Rice and President George W. Bush are optimistic they will get a deal before the end of Bush's term in January 2009. "People have been trying to do this for a long time and it has not happened but t there is a great resoluteness on behalf of the president and myself," Rice said in Ramallah. U.S. officials said Rice told Israeli defense Minister Ehud Barak that, while she respected Israel's right to defend itself, Palestinians needed to see improvements on the ground if they were to stay committed to the peace process. She slammed the Israelis for the deaths of innocent people in Gaza during Israeli attacks have been civilians.

Terribly upset over mischief and the rough behavior of Israelis, Abbas gave Rice no public commitment that he would return to the talks, which he suspended last Sunday in protest at an Israeli operation in Gaza that has killed more than 120 Palestinians. "I call on the Israeli government to halt its aggression," Abbas said at a news conference with Rice. U.S. officials said they understood it was not politically feasible for Abbas to make an announcement during Rice's visit and there needed to be a calmer situation on the ground and greater assurances from the Israelis. But the USA and Egypt are at work to pressure Abbas and he has finally accepted to resume negotiations soon. Of course, considering the urgency of the issue, the latest statement of Abbas signals a positive step form his side.

The outcome of Rice visit is significant: the Israeli government has ordered its military to reduce its operations in the Gaza Strip. Israeli claims it is because of a sharp drop in rocket fire from Palestinian territory. The Israelis and Palestinian officials from the Hamas faction, who controls Gaza, said no formal ceasefire had been agreed but that talks were under way. There has been no official statement from the Israeli government about the order to scale back military operations in Gaza, but Olmert said he was determined for peace talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to continue. "We will not give up on this effort to make another step - a significant, important, dramatic step - which could bring us closer to the chance of real reconciliation with our Palestinian neighbors, and to the building of the foundations of real peace between us and them," he said at a conference in Jerusalem.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, settling about 400,000 Jews in the area, including East Jerusalem. Settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has approved a plan to build up to 750 new homes in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank. The project was first signed off in 1999, but stopped two years later after Palestinian laborers refused to go on. Israel's housing minister said the construction at Givat Zeev would address "the demographic needs of Jerusalem". But the decision provoked an angry reaction from Palestinian leaders.

For the Palestinians there are few issues as contentious as the building of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. Under the terms of the peace process settlement expansion is supposed to be frozen. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the latest decision raised doubts about Israel's commitment to peace talks. "It will undermine the US effort to revive the negotiations." Israel Radio said the decision to restart the development was pushed by the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, which had threatened to quit the government coalition unless the construction was approved.

Meanwhile, under US pressure, Egypt has stepped up efforts to mediate between the Israelis and Hamas. A senior Israeli defence ministry official returned on March 09 from talks in Cairo with Egyptian officials, a few days after a similar mission by Hamas officials. Since June last year, the Palestinian leadership has been split between Hamas in Gaza and the more moderate Fatah of Abbas in the West Bank. Abbas and Olmert have been engaged in peace talks launched by the US last November with the goal of establishing an independent Palestinian state by the end of the year.

It seems the talks between Israeli and Fatah leaders could resume next week. Israel refuses to talk directly to Hamas because the Islamist Hamas group refuses to acknowledge Israel's right to exist. But without Hams, the elected representatives of Palestinians, the issue would continue to remain unresolved. USA cannot pretend ignorant of this simple fact.