The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Awami League, during its much-talked-about dialogue with the Caretaker Government, yesterday demanded lifting of the state of emergency before all elections and permanent release of former prime minister and AL chief Sheikh Hasina, now abroad for treatment under temporary release on parole.

The 9-member AL delegation led by its acting president Zillur Rahman also demanded for sending AL leader Mohammad Nasim abroad for better treatment, withdrawal of 'false cases' against AL leaders and activists, including party general secretary Abdul Jalil, trial of war criminals, withdrawal of restrictions on trade union activities, canceling the decision of fuel price hike and taking effective measures to control price hikes of essentials.

The government side, led by Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, assured the AL delegation that they have taken their calls for complete lifting of the state of emergency ahead of the national polls.

"A final decision on the state of emergency will be taken later through negotiation and an assessment of the situation," said Adviser for Commerce and Education Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman at the joint press briefing following the two-hour dialogue held at Chief Adviser's Office.

He hoped that at a certain stage the lifting of emergency might reach to a logical level for taking decision through creating atmosphere of confidence.

Referring to the government effort to relax some sections of the Emergency Powers Rules (EPR) in areas where schedules of local government elections have been announced, the government side requested AL delegation to inform them if there were more specific rules in EPR for relaxing to help more for election campaign and the government would consider that.

At this moment the government wants to proceed through relaxing specific sections of the Emergency Powers Rules (EPR) ahead of elections to pave the way for carrying out election campaign, the Adviser noted.

About permanent release of Sheikh Hasina, he said that it is the matter of legal process and no answer was given to them at this stage.

AL delegation includes its presidium members Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Motia Chowdhury and Ataur Rahman Khan Kaiser.

Adviser for Law and Justice AF Hassan Ariff, Adviser for Communications Ghulam Quader, Adviser for LGRD M Anwarul Iqbal, Adviser for Foreign Affairs Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Adviser for Education and Commerce Hossain Zillur Rahman took part in the dialogue on behalf of the government.

Hossain Zillur told journalists that the government would advance taking people's strong indication into confidence and the upazila elections would be accomplished according to the expectation of the people.

He referred that the AL has no argument over the upazila polls but questioned the polls schedule.

The Adviser said a decision was taken to hold another dialogue with the AL over qualitative political transition, covering political activities not to cast adverse impact on the economy, post-election stability and institutional and constitutional reforms.

On changing the provision that debars teachers of government MPO-run school and college to contest the local government elections, the Adviser said the government would consider the matter for a change after the ensuing elections of four city corporations and nine pourasabhas.

Regarding withdrawal of cases against AL leaders and activists he said the government would consider it through investigation of the specific cases.

Replying to a question, Hossain Zillur said the government and the Election Commission have alertness so that timeframe of parliamentary polls do not become questionable. He hoped that the EC would be able to complete local polls within October.

On unbiased administrative postings before elections, he said the government assured the AL delegation that administrative postings would not create any obstacle towards fair elections.

Replying to a question about BNP participation in the dialogue, he referred that the government has invited them and is awaiting their reply.

He hoped that BNP would also join in the dialogue since the government's efforts to create atmosphere of confidence is on.

Acting AL general secretary Syed Ashraf said they are not against local government polls, particularly upazila parishad elections but parliamentary election should be held first.

He said they would sit with the government in the future over timing of the upazila elections.

Asked whether there was any entente between AL and government over holding elections to four city corporations and nine pourasabhas for which nominations were filed yesterday, the AL leader rejected the notion saying that AL does not believe in the politics of entente.

He said the AL supports upazila elections in principle but prefers holding the parliamentary polls first.

Replying to a question Syed Ashraf mentioned that AL had supported the government since party chief had attended the oath taking ceremony of the incumbent Chief Adviser.

The AL secretary said they want a free, fair and peaceful election with participation of all political parties.

He said the AL would support the proposed women's development policy but if the AL is voted to power, it would implement the women development policy drafted in 1997.