The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The caretaker government has not yet decided whether or not army representatives will be present during the dialogue with political parties, meant for preparing an agreed agenda for transition from the interim regime.

"We have not yet decided whether or not army personnel or Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia should be present during the dialogue…These matters are to be discussed at today's Advisory Council meeting," Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters at the Secretariat.

Awami League presidium-member Suranjit Sengupta and BNP chairperson's adviser Brig (retd) ASM Hanna Shah have said army representatives should be present during the formal dialogue as the army is 'ruling the country from behind the scenes'.

Hossain Zillur said the government is taking preparation for opening the dialogue with the parties and it would start from this month. LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal said he doesn't know anything about army presence during the formal dialogue as he said this was not discussed among them and at the advisory council meeting. To another query, he said Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed would address the nation by May 8 in which he will clear government position on the dialogue.

"The nation will see the developments concerning the formal dialogue within a couple of days," he told the media.