The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Detained former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Wednesday held out an olive branch to the caretaker government to resolve all problems peacefully through dialogue.

"I don't believe in conflict," she said, "all problems can be resolved through peaceful discussions."

During her appearance in a special court in connection with the GATCO scam case, Khaleda made the remarks talking to inquisitive reporters.

Asked about Education Advisor Hossain Zillur Rahman's comments that all-out efforts are underway to bring BNP to the table for dialogue, she said, "I know nothing about it."

Asked whether she received any proposal from the government, Khaleda, also chairperson of BNP, said, "I'm in custody and there is no scope for talking, except for reading select newspapers supplied by the authorities."

She said BNP, as a democratic party, has been engaged in establishing rights of the people. The BNP chairperson reiterated her demand for general election in October this year. "If it is possible in December, why not in October ? Where's the problem?" She argued.

"We want election and we want to cooperate with the government for free and fair elections," she said.

Reiterating her demand for immediately sending her two detained sons-Tarique and Koko-abroad for treatment, Khaleda said their health conditions are deteriorating every day for a lack of proper treatment in custody.

On a passionate note, Khaleda Zia reminded that they are sons of a valiant freedom fighter and President (Zia) who sacrificed his life for the people.

"I had to suffer a lot to carefully bring them up when they were minor boys at the time of assassination of Ziaur Rahman," she said.

About Awami League acting president Zillur Rahman's remarks blaming the BNP-led 4-party alliance for the happening of 1/11 episode that brought the politicians' nemesis, Khaleda said, " This is not the time for squabble and difference. The people know what happened on the streets at that time."

In a further emphatic suggestion for a united stand at this critical hour the immediate-past PM said, "This is not the time for creating schism-this is the time for salvaging the country through united effort."

Commenting on Finance Advisor Mirza Azizul Islam's reported uncalled-for statement that prices cannot come down like Nawab Shaista Khan's times, Khaleda, who has ruled the country twice as Prime Minister, said, "It sounds painful. He cut a cruel joke with the common people's plight."

Khaleda sarcastically said, "He (Aziz) was not born during the reign of Shaista Khan. He does not know him as well. Perhaps he might have learnt his name from textbooks."

The former Prime Minister said it does not need to compare the current high prices with that under Shaista Khan's regime. "You just look back at the BNP-led alliance rule when people got three meals a day and could save money. Now not only that people cannot save money but also have to go hungry."

Khaleda observed had there been election in time, the country would not have plunged into topsy-turvy. "I don't blame this government for the situation because they did never work for the people and don't understand the misery of the people."

The BNP chief said since political parties work with the people, they understand their predicament.