The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shahidul Islam

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed is expected to address the nation today evening spelling out the guidelines of the formal dialogue between his Government and the political parties.

In his speech, the Adviser will touch pressing issues, including lifting of the state of emergency, restriction on indoor politics outside the capital and important matters of politics, where a national consensus is necessary.

Disclosing this, after a meeting of four advisers, who were entrusted to prepare ground and work out guidelines of the formal dialogue, Communications Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Ghulam Quader said, "The Chief Adviser's speech is ready…..he will give specific guidelines on lifting of restriction on indoor politics and the state of emergency."

He said after the Chief Adviser's address, political parties would be formally invited for the dialogue with the Government. "The Chief Adviser's Office will send separate letters of invitation to each of the political parties to join the dialogue."

The head of the Caretaker Government, in his address to the nation, is likely to announce the date of the beginning of the formal dialogue, he added.

He would not say whether Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed would touch on the issue of the release of two detained former Prime Ministers-Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, who respectively heads the two major political parties-the BNP and the Awami League (AL)-of the country.

Ghulam Quader, however, hastened to add, "It (Khaleda-Hasina) is too sensitive an issue for me to comment."

Earlier last month, the four Advisers-Ghulam Quader, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Anwarul Iqbal and Law Adviser Advocate Hassan Ariff together held separate pre-dialogue sessions with political parties.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury had also participated in pre-dialogues with major political parties, including the AL and two factions of the BNP.

Meanwhile, detained Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina, through her lawyers, yesterday directed her party leaders to make the formal dialogue a success.

The AL Presidium, the highest policymaking body of the party, at a meeting with its Acting President Zillur Rahman in the chair at his Ivy Tower residence yesterday evening decided to join the dialogue and place the demand for the unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina and the assurance of holding a free, fair and credible general election.

When asked, BNP (anti-reform) Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain said he would decide as to whether they would join the dialogue in consultation with party leaders after getting the letter of invitation.

"To my mind the dialogue will not be successful if the two detained former Prime Ministers-Begum Zia and Sheikh Hasina are not allowed to sit with the Government," he said, adding, "We are not sure as to what is there up in sleeves of the Chief Adviser but we are waiting to hear him."

BNP (reformist) Secretary General Maj (Rted) Hafizuddin Ahmed said they would join the dialogue and try to make it a success. "There is no reason to boycott the dialogue, as it has no alternative to a smooth transition to the democracy and elected governance," he asserted.

Political analysts, who maintain close contacts with both the Government and political leaders, yesterday evening told The New Nation that the dialogue agenda would also include issues, including an amendment to the Constitution in order to legitimise the present Caretaker Government's tenure, strike a balance of power between the President and Prime Minister of the Republic, the institutional reforms carried out, banning of disruptive agitation programmes like hartal and roadblocks as political weapons.

Besides, political, electoral and administrative reforms to ensure unhindered growth and development would also get importance in the talks, they added.

When asked, a western diplomat expressed his optimism about the success of the dialogue, saying, "There is no alternative to the talks to the politicians or the Government."

"We are waiting to see the dialogue a success for a leap forward of this nation to progress and advancement from poverty and under development," he said, adding, "You all should respond positively to the dialogue call."

After their meeting, Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman sounded a positive note about the success of the ensuing formal talks.

"The dialogue must be successful, as there is no alternative to it," he asserted.

Asked how he could predict a successful dialogue by sidetracking the two major parties' crucial demands for the release of Begum Zia and Sheikh Hasina, he said: "We are giving importance to the enthusiasm of the parties about the dialogue. It's not the question of the two leaders, but the enthusiasm of the parties would make the dialogue successful."

Replying to another question, Dr Hossain Zillur said there are some small differences between the Government and the political parties on different issues. "Those differences will not hamper the dialogue," he asserted.

LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal told journalists that the Chief Adviser would deliver his speech this evening.

On the preparations for the dialogue, the Adviser said, "We have already done our pre-dialogue talks with the political parties."