The New Nation - Internet Edition

Iran president says: US attack on Iran to be political suicide for Bush

APP, Kuala Lumpur

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday downplayed the threat of an attack on his country by the United States, saying it would be "political suicide" for US President George W. Bush.

He also said that the Iranian people stood ready to defend their country in the event of any attempt to close down the nation's nuclear programme.

"Any finger that will trigger the bullet, the Iranian people will cut it," he told a press conference at the D-8 summit of developing nations.

Ahmadinejad said the US was no longer in a position to make an assault on Iran.

"In the US, his wise scholars will not allow Mr. Bush to commit political suicide and of course the economic, political and military situation will not allow Mr. Bush to do that," he said.

"(Bush) is not in a situation to change circumstances in his favour."

The United States and its top regional ally Israel have never ruled out attacking Iran over its nuclear drive, which the West fears could be aimed at making nuclear weapons.

There has been concern an attack against Iran could be imminent after it emerged Israel had carried out manoeuvres in Greece that were effectively practice runs for a potential strike against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Ahmadinejad also called for US military bases across the world to be "eradicated".

"The greatest threat in the Middle East and to countries in the world is US intervention," he said. "The military bases in the whole world should be eradicated and removed."

The Iranian leader, who is embroiled in a wrangle with the West over Iran's nuclear enrichment programme, called on the major powers to "withdraw from animosity and hostile actions against us".

"Justice, peace and friendship is also to their benefit," he said, accusing the US of focusing on "propaganda and psychological warfare".

"We are doing our utmost efforts to provide security and peace at the world level. I assure you, and don't be worried, that there will be war in the future."

Fakhruddin, Badawi bilateral talks: Performance of Bangladeshi workforce appreciated

UNB, Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has appreciated the good working experience of Bangladeshi workforce, getting higher wages, but emphasized that they should be more respectful to the rules and regulations of the land.

He made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed on the sidelines of the D-summit at Hotel Hilton, CA' s press secretary Syed Fahim Munaim told reporters.

Responding to the host PM, Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said his government has already taken various steps to make Bangladeshi workforce skilled and conversant with the tricks of the trade. "Malaysian technical know-how and capital and Bangladeshi labour could make effective combination for a win-win situation for the two countries," the head of caretaker government said.

Dr Ahmed pointed out that now infrastructure development is important for Bangladesh and the government is giving priority to the task. The government is exploring ways of introducing mass transport system so that large number of people can move at a time and Malaysia can come and invest in this sector, he said.

Apart from D-8 cooperation, he said, bilateral trade facilities can be enhanced. Communications linkage is also important for increasing people-to-people contact. He mentioned higher frequency of air services between Dhaka and Kula Lumpur.

As the Chief Advisor said Bangladesh has taken a strong stand against terrorism, the Malaysian Prime Minister said, "None should compromise on terrorism." In this regard, Dr Ahmed said in last one and a half years, not a single bomb has been exploded nor a single bullet shot.

Badawi remarked that Bangladesh is comparatively peaceful than India and Pakistan in these times of disquiet.

Dr Ahmed mentioned that the meeting between the Foreign Advisor and the Malaysian Home Minister on manpower recruitment and how to resolve certain problems facing Bangladeshi workers was fruitful.

He thanked Badawi for excellent arrangement of the D-8 Summit, saying that Malaysia, at a crucial time, took the forum's leadership. He said roadmap on economic cooperation in the next decade would guide the economic cooperation and assured Bangladesh's support to the Malaysian leadership.

Govt not behaving neutrally: Delwar

UNB, Dhaka

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday said people did not accept "farcical trial" of politicians, alleging that the caretaker government is not behaving neutrally.

"Although this government claims itself to be neutral, as a matter of fact, it is biased," he told a discussion meeting at the national press club marking the death anniversaries of former JCD leaders Sagir Ahmed and Hassan Sarwar Sumon.

Terming the caretaker government repressive, Delwar said this government has no right to cling to power.

He alleged that despite court orders, the authorities did not allow two lawyers to meet Tarique Rahman at the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.

"Tarique and Koko are critically ill. They are also sons of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, but they are not receiving proper treatment," he said, adding, "It is a reflection of the government's cruel mentality not to allow the lawyers."

Delwar again urged the government not to tag conditions to the release of Tarique and Koko. He said the people would not allow further delay in releasing them. "The government will be responsible for any eventuality," he said in his usual swinging criticism of the interim regime.

The BNP secretary general said they are also against corruption but any corruption case must be tried under normal law of the land. He alleged that the courts are giving "pre-determined judgment at the behest of the government".

He questioned why corruption is still on the rise although there are no politicians on the scene. He said actual level of corruption is much higher than what TIB report stated about the present-day corruption.

Delwar renewed his allegation that cases are being filed against Khaleda Zia and other party leaders by "creating 1/11 in a planned way to prevent BNP from politics and election".

He called the Election Commission a tool in the hands of the government and said its aim is to hold an arranged election. He said local election is part of the "blueprint" of the government that wants to consolidate its power. The BNP leader said all should be united for movement to foil the "government blueprint".

Presided over by Dhaka City (South) JCD president Rafiqul Alam Majnu, the meeting was also addressed by Krishak Dal general secretary Shamsuzzaman Dudu, JCD acting president Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, secretary Shafiul Bari and ex-JCD presidents Shahabuddin Laltu, Habibun Nabi Sohel and Asaduzzaman Ripon and Juba Dal acting president Mia Mohammad Selim and acting secretary Adv Salam Azad.

Cautious trading at share market

Staff Reporter

Amidst a heavy trading and increased participation of traders, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) ended almost flat yesterday while trading at Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) closed lower with the losers dominating the gainers.

However, turnover and the trading volume on the country's twin bourses rose from the previous day due to increased participation of investors.

Market observers termed the trend as rational and a result of maturity of the investors.

"Investors are making mature decisions," Chief executive of DSE Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters.

Trade was quite rational with investors betting on market majors and the turnover going up significantly, said Bashir Ahmed, an investment consultant of Stocks & Bonds.

"Although the general and all-share index remained almost flat but blue-chips rose, which is a good sign. Investors are betting on fundamentals, not rumours," he said.

The benchmark DGEN or general index maintained a relatively stable curve on the DSE across the trading hours to slip 0.55 points or 0.18 per cent to 2990.01.

The DSI or all-share price index crept up 3.63 points or 0.14 per cent, closing at 2567.74. The blue-chip DSE-20 finished at 2571.95, advancing 15.56 points or 0.60 per cent.

Turnover rose to Tk 3.15 billion from 20,298,646 shares, up from Sunday's Tk 2.55 billion. Losers beat gainers 112 to 104, while 12 issues held steady.

Turnover leader Keya Cosmetics finished 7.67 per cent higher at Tk 85.60. ACI ended on Tk 424.90, up 11.02 per cent.

Lanka Bangla Finance shook off Monday's losses to gain 3.07 per cent to close at Tk 231.40.

Square Pharmaceuticals ended 0.97 per cent lower at Tk 5181. Beximco Pharma rose 2.43 per cent to Tk 96.70.

Among the other scrips on the turnover board-Beximco, Prime Finance and Investment and S Alam Cold Rolled Steels-also advanced.

Apex Adelchi Footwear and AIMS 1st Mutual Fund lost.

At CSE, on the other hand, All Share Price Index (CASPI) declined by 0.007 per cent or 0.69 points to close at 9044.26 points from 9044.95 points on yesterday.

The CSCX or selective categories index shed 4.36 points or 0.07 per cent to end on 5836.60. The CASPI or all-share price index closed at 9044.26, edging down 0.69 points or 0.007 per cent.

The CSE-30 Index also shed 0.18 per cent or 14.81 points from 8072.37 points to close at Monday's 8087.18 points.

Turnover on the port city bourse surged to Tk 427.34 million from 4,571,848 shares, up from Tk 250.21 million the previous day.

Of the traded issues, 79 declined, 60 gained and seven remained unchanged.

6 to die for murder in Chuadanga

BSS, Chuadanga

Six persons were sentenced to death by a Court here on Tuesday for killing a person during a dacoity.

The convicts are Abul Bashar, Md Khokon, Joad Ali, Manik, Md Alamgir and Jahangir Howladar.

The Court also convicted Abdur Rashid for 10-year rigorous imprisonment and fined him Taka 10,000 in default to suffer six months more in jail besides acquitting four persons.

The prosecution story in brief is that the dacoity was committed at a night coach named "Ekota Delux" at Roakuli under Alamdanga Upazila on Chuadanga-Alamdanga road on November 28, 2006. The coach was going to Alamdanga from Dhaka via Chuadanga.

The dacoits numbering 10-12 looted six mobile phones and Taka 25,000 from the bus superviser.

After looting valuables of passengers, the dacoits abducted supervisor of the coach Azad to a nearby field at village Faridpur under Alamdanga Upazila and strangled him. After a few hours, police recovered the body of Azad.

A case was filed with Alamdanga police station. Police arrested the convicts and submitted charge sheet later against all of them.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Motahar Hossain after examining 22 witnesses and relevant documents delivered the verdict.

Regional ties among BIMSTEC member countries stressed

Staff Reporter

Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam yesterday laid emphasis on effective regional cooperation among the member countries of BIMSTEC for food security and poverty alleviation.

He said increase in the prices of food grains, fuel and fertilisers has affected the poor people in the region of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

He was speaking at a meeting of the senior officials of BIMSTEC at a city hotel.

The meeting, preceding the first BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on 'Poverty Alleviation' set the agenda for discussions.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed will formally inaugurate the meeting today.

Dr Azizul said the government has taken various steps to mitigate the sufferings of the people through social safety net programmes and employment generation schemes.

He said Bangladesh has set up a climate change fund to implement adaptation and mitigation measurers for dealing with the impact of natural disasters induced by climate change.

Founded on June 6, 1997 in Bangkok, BIMSTEC is made up of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

One dies, 10 other girl students sick in mysterious disease

Narsingdi Correspondent

Shamima(13), student of Dang Bahumukhi High School of Narsingdi died at Upazila Health Complex of Palash where 10 other students also became sick in a mysterious disease yesterday.

Principal of the school Asaduzzaman Siddiquee informed that students of different classes of the school became sick at the school time. After they were taken to the Health Complex, Shamima, who was a student of class seven, passed away.

Farzana, student of class ten, Rahima and Ferdousi students of class eight, Shakila, Sultana, Rema, Nasima and Rekha, students of class seven and Ratna and Tahmina, students of class six of the school are now undergoing treatment in the health complex.

The students were attacked by Mass Thaikogenic disease Nikhil Kumar Saha, health official said and added they were now given treatment properly.

Civil Surgeon of Narsingdi Dr Berendra Nath Sinha assumed the student was not died in Mass Thaikogenic disease. He said that, she was granted leave for home due to headache. She became more sick at home and passed away after taking at the health complex, said Dr Berendra.

Govt to face tough situation if it goes ahead with UZ polls

Staff Reporter

The Awami League yesterday warned that the government would face a tough situation if it decides to hold upazila elections before the long-awaited national election.

"All the major political parties have asked the government to arrange the upazila elections after the parliamentary polls. But the government remains rigid on its stand. If the government arranges election first showing disregard to public opinion, then it'll face a tough situation with the political parties," said AL Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam.

Ashraful made this comments while briefing the reporters after the party's presidium meeting with acting president Zillur Rahman's Gulshan residence at night.

The AL presidium also said if the government does not pay heed to the political parties' demand for parliamentary elections, then it's desired consensus with the parties will be at stake, he said.

The presidium meeting also demanded the complete lifting of state of emergency before all elections to make those credible.

Asked about the disputes among the components of the AL-led 14 party alliance over sharing the candidates to contest the city corporation and municipality elections, he said the president and the secretary of each component of the alliance would sit today to finalise the candidates.

The alliance at the meeting is expected to chalk out some political programmes to protest the recent fuel price hike, he said.

"All those want to be candidates of the local elections are equally important to the alliance. As an alliance, we'll take the decisions", he said.

Ashraful also ruled out the possibility of going for any dialogue with their rival BNP following the call by detained BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to hold talks among all the political parties ahead of the elections.

The AL presidium reiterated its demand for sending its ailing leader Mohammad Nasim abroad for better treatment, he said.

Fobana Conference ends with a call to establish democracy in Bangladesh

Fakir Selim From New York

The three-day 22nd Fobana Conference concluded on Sunday at Hotel Hilton in New York City with a call on expatriate Bangladeshis in the United States to play their due role in establishing democracy in Bangladesh.

The responsibility to hold the 23rd Fobana Conference next year was formally handed over to New Jersey Bangladesh Association from the conference. So, the next Fobana Conference will be held in New Jersey.

On the last day of the conference a discussion was held at Hilton Hotel with the Fobana convener Gias Ahmed in the chair. Participants at the discussion observed that it was very difficult to recover democracy once it was lost.

They also noted that democracy would not be fully functional unless the national election is held and state of emergency is not withdrawn.

Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof SMA Faiz was the chief guest at the meeting, while politician Haider Akbar Khan Rono, journalists Rahat Khan, Alamgir Mohiuddin, Nurul Kabir and Golam Mostafa were special guests.

Joint Convener of the 22nd Fobana Zakaria Masud Ziko and member secretary Hasanuzzaman Hasan were present.

A large number of people thronged Hotel Hilton on Sunday evening to enjoy the Celebrity Night. The artistes coming from Bangladesh rendered songs till 1:15pm at the requests of the audience.

On the previous day, the Fobana Award was given to Nobel laureate Dr Yunus, Oscar winner Nafiz, Pundit Ravi Shankar, George Harrison, and distinguished Bangladeshis including Osman Chowdhury.

The 22nd Fobana Conference organised by America Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry was inaugurated on July 3.

EC releases symbols of city corporation polls

BSS, Dhaka

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday published the list of 98 symbols to be allocated to the candidates of the August 4 polls to four city corporations and nine municipalities.

Of the symbols, 68 are for the city corporation and 30 for municipal elections.

EC sources told BSS that the symbols would be allocated to the candidates on July 14 as the last date for withdrawal of candidature is July 13.

In city corporations, 20 symbols have been fixed for mayoral candidates, 18 for reserved posts of female ward councillors, and 30 for general ward councillors.

For municipal polls, the EC fixed 10 symbols for mayoral candidates, eight for posts reserved for female councillors, and 12 for general councillors.

The symbols for posts of city mayors are: pineapple, 'cup-pirich', spectacles, wheel, chair, umbrella, ship, typewriter, table, television, telephone, lock, wall clock, inkpot-pen, butterfly, tiger, fish, mike, rickshaw and duck.

The symbols for reserved posts of female councilors are:

airplane, crocodile, rabbit, guitar, parrot arrow-bow, papaw, football, 'fez-tupi' fax, book, bucket, flute, electric fan, top, deer, and steel almirah.

The symbols for posts of general ward councilors are: mango, ektara, saw (karat), kettle, camera, cricket bat, cow, kite, key, moon, tube-well, tiffin carrier, 'tabla', star, anchor, lotus, 'pagri', betel leaf, flower tub, heron, bus, electric fan, ladder, candle, cock, rain engine, sewing machine, suitcase, hand fan and elephant.

The symbols for mayoral posts in municipal polls are:

pineapple, mango, wheel, chair, umbrella, wall clock, inkpot-pen, butterfly, mike, and hand fan.

The symbols for reserved posts of female ward councilors are: airplane, table, star, lotus, bus, electric fan, mug, and candle. The symbols for general ward councilors are: pitcher, 'cup- pirich', cricket bat, spectacles, television, football, bucket, electric fan, ladder, fish, cock, and elephant.

An EC notification said the commission would fix up more symbols, if the number of candidates are more in any constituency. The returning officers would allocate symbols to the candidates as per their liking.

There will be a lottery, if more than one candidates apply for the same symbol.

HC stays 4 more graft cases

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday stayed the proceedings of four separate graft cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, including one against detained former minister and BNP leader Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.

Upon separate petitions, the High Court stayed the proceedings for four months of the cases against Dr Mosharraf, Taimur Alam Khandaker, another detained BNP leader, Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu's wife Salma Rahman and Barisal City Corporation Mayor Mujibur Rahman Sarwar's wife Syeda Nasima Sarwar.

The same bench also stayed the proceedings of an extortion case against former state minister Aman Ullah Aman and his wife Sabera Aman. The court also issued rule asking the government to explain why the case "should not be quashed". All the petitions were heard before a division bench comprising Justice Sharif Uddin Chaklader and Emdadul Haque Azad.

Passing the orders of stay in the four ACC-filed cases, the bench also issued separate rules asking the anti-graft watchdog to explain why the cases "should not be quashed".

In cases of Salma and Nasima, the rules are returnable in eight weeks while in case of Dr Mosharraf and Taimur, the rules are returnable in four weeks.

ACC filed the case against Dr Mosharraf for acquiring illegal wealth and concealment of information and Salma and Nasima were implicated in the cases filed against their husbands for assisting them in amassing illegal wealth and covering up the assets.

The case against BNP leader and former Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) chairman Taimur was filed for alleged corruption in distributing 200 CNG-run auto rickshaws.

Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon appeared for the petitioners.

Mig-29 graft case: Former army chief Mustafiz relieved of appearance

UNB, Dhaka

Former army chief Gen (retd) Mustafizur Rahman, Bir Bikram, was Tuesday dispensed with personal appearance in court during trial in the Mig-29 warplane-purchase graft case.

Dhaka divisional special judge's court relocated to the high-security parliament complex apparently passed the order suo moto on health grounds, overruling objection raised by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) public prosecutor.

A heart patient, Gen (retd) Mustafiz, now on a regular bail, is being treated at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in the capital, said his counsel while moving the exemption petition.

The counsel further told the court that his client needs treatment abroad as a CMH medical board had already advised him overseas treatment.

The ACC prosecutor opposed the exemption plea, terming the application "defective" and not placed properly in accordance with prescribed rules.

In view of the situation, Judge M Golam Mortuza Majumder asked Syed Rezaur Rahman, the counsel for Gen (retd) Mustafiz, to get the application corrected. And after an instant correction, the application was granted.

After the court order, the hearing on the defence arguments encountering prosecution proposal for framing charge against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and six others, including Mustafiz, in the Mig-29 graft case was adjourned till July 16.

Annual report released : BRAC has one lakh workforce

BSS, Dhaka

BRAC, one of the world's largest development organisations, yesterday released its annual report (2007) here, said a press release.

The organisation's key achievements in 2007 are set out in nine themed sections including microfinance, ultra poor, health, education, and equality and citizenry.

The annual report describes how BRAC, in Bangladesh, works to combat poverty in 70,000 villages and 2000 slums and reaches three quarters of the entire population with an integrated package of services, employing over 1,00,000 people.

For instance, the release said, BRAC's 68,000 community health volunteers make home visits to 18 million village households every month and provide the first line of support in the organisation's essential healthcare programme.

Every week, it said, 1.55 million children attend BRAC primary and pre-primary schools and are taught by more than 50,000 trained teachers.

BRAC began working internationally in 2002 with its entry into Afghanistan. It is now working in four Asian countires. In Africa, BRAC is present in Uganda, Tanzania, and Southern Sudan.

FFs urged to preserve real history of Liberation War

BSS, Dhaka

Freedom Fighters on Tuesday called upon the people irrespective of political affiliation and views to forge national unity to preserve the real history of the War of Liberation.

Speaking at a memorial meeting at the death of chief of allied force during the Bangladesh's War of Liberation in 1971 Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, leaders of the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Foundation (BMF) demanded preservation of the real history by inclusion of the memories of the valiant freedom fighters in the educational curriculum.

BMF organised the function in cooperation with Peshajibi, Samajik and Shanscritik Sangathan (PSSS) at the auditorium of the Jatiya Press Club here.

The speakers recalled the strong leadership of former Indian Prime Minister and participation of the members of the Indian Army in the War of Liberation when Bangladesh-India Joint Force was formed.