The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

US Ambassador James Moriarty attached high importance to the ongoing dialogue between the caretaker government and the political parties to decide what will come out from the election towards the end of this year, as he said the polls should only mark the beginning of building a functional democracy.

"The process of building democracy in Bangladesh will not end when the polls are held in December. For this reason it is important that the ongoing dialogue also includes discussion of what will take place after the election," he said.

Speaking at a discussion arranged by Bangladesh Political Science Association at Hotel Sheraton yesterday, he hoped Bangladesh's political parties would take some of the steps necessary to strengthen the democracy by forming responsible opposition if they don't succeed at the ballot.

Association president Prof. Ataur Rahman and former chief Justice Mostafa Kamal also spoke at the meet. The US envoy said strong democratic parties, both in the majority and in the opposition, are essential to a liable democracy.

He told his audience that the United States recognizes that a sustainable democracy requires democratic practices and institutions. A sustainable democracy requires a societal consensus on certain fundamentals such as diversity, tolerance and the peaceful transfer of political power.

"Elections are a vital, important, visible element of democracy, but are ultimately only part of the equation," he said, adding that being elected in a free and fair election doesn't mean that a government will necessarily rule in a democratic manner.

"…holding free and fair election doesn't mean that a society and government are in fact democratic in their daily activities," the American diplomat said, striking a note identical with that of the reformist interim regime in Bangladesh.

Moriarty mentioned three essential components to democracy - freedom and rights, good governance and a vibrant civil society.

These three elements, he said, are as essential to the democracy in Bangladesh as to democracies elsewhere. And success in restoring democracy in Bangladesh would require close attention to each of the essentials.

The ambassador noted that the caretaker government has introduced reform necessary to strengthen democracy in the country. Future government will need to honour, consolidate and expand the reforms.

In his extensive observations on the country's situation, Moriarty mentioned that here in Bangladesh some have criticized the United States and the international community for focusing too much on the need for elections to be held before the end of this year. He said, "US does indeed believe the election should be held by the end of this year. We have welcomed the assurance of the Chief Adviser and others that they will take place in December."

The ambassador made it clear that the Untied States provides hundreds of millions of dollars in assistance to promote democracy and human rights globally, including in Bangladesh. Much of this money around the world goes to NGOs that monitor elections, train judges and constitutional drafting committees, support free media and civil society and raise awareness about human-rights standards.

He reminded that promoting democracy is not easy-advances in democracy always are hard one.

Moriarty envisioned a Bangladesh where many good laws on the books are enforced, where political parties play constructive roles, where a vibrant civil society helps ensure clean and effective governments.

During the question-answer session, the ambassador said democracy in Bangladesh is very important to the United States as "Bangladesh cannot be Afghanistan".

He pointed out that 70 percent of Bangladesh export products go to the United States and the US government is providing substantial amount of money for democratic practice and human rights.

Former chief justice Mostafa Kamal said political parties have now come to realize that they have done excess while caretaker government and its backers realize the "limitation of interference".

Pointing to the current impasse over the political dialogue ahead of the election, he said, "If it is full solution, then it is good; if it is half solution, everybody will have to count limitation and wait for the end-results."

Both the sides, he said, are to act responsibly because "people are worried as to what will happen-whether the election takes place or confrontation prevails".