The New Nation - Internet Edition

Koko released on parole for two months

Arafat Rahman Koko was released for two months on
parole yesterday. Banglar Chokh

Staff Reporter

Ending all speculations Arafat Rahman Koko, younger son of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, was released yesterday on parole for two months by a government executive order on medical grounds.

Family sources said Koko, who has been suffering from chronic respiratory complications, would be taken abroad as soon as possible for treatment since his physicians suggested sending him abroad for better treatment.

Koko was under treatment at the prison ward of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital and was moved to his Dhaka Cantonment residence by an ambulance at about 6:00pm following the release order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Huge number of BNP leaders and activists received Koko on the BSMMU premises. At a stage police had to charge baton to disperse the mob who were trying to enter inside the hospital by chanting slogans.

Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced the parole order in a circular with a set of conditions.

Leaders and activists of the BNP, including its chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and leaders of the four-party alliance, have been demanding the release of Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman to send them abroad for treatment.

Koko's wife Sarmili Rahman, earlier, had appealed to the Caretaker Government for the release of her ailing husband for better treatment abroad.

Meanwhile, Adviser for Home Affairs Maj Gen (Retd) MA Matin told reporters that Koko was released for eight weeks on parole on human grounds for treatment.

Replying to a question about the release of Begum Khaleda Zia and her elder son Tarique Rahman, he said, "You (journalists) will know in time."

Koko's counsel Md Sanaullah Miah quoted Koko's wife Sharmili Rahman as saying, "Immediately after the release he (Koko) will be taken to Bangkok for treatment.

Necessary steps have also been taken to arrange the necessary funds for this since bank accounts of Koko remained frozen, the counsel informed.

He, however, said that Koko's wife would take the final decision in this regard.

A government handout said Arafat Rahman Koko was temporarily released on conditions for treatment for two months from July 17 to September 16 this year.

The conditions include not to get involved with any political or business affairs, communicate with any organisation or person except his health grounds and surrender before the court after his treatment before ending of tenure of his release.

The handout said the decision of temporary release would be cancelled in violation of the conditions. Besides, the government could cancel the order anytime and showing any reason, it added.

Earlier, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Golam Rabbani, exempted Koko from his personal appearing in court in the ACC case on charges of concealing wealth information.

Along with his mother, Koko was arrested on September 3 last year as an accused in the GATCO scam case.

The Ministry of Law and Justice earlier, gave its opinion that Koko might be released under CrPC sections 401 (4A) and 540 (A) under which former prime minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina was also released under the same provisions for her treatment abroad.

Security tightened at DU

Police checking ID cards of Dhaka University
students during entry to the campus on Thursday as the extra
security measures were taken. Banglar Chokh

DU Correspondent

Dhaka University campus was burst into anger yesterday over the killing of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader Mashiul Alam Sentu in crossfire.

The law-enforcing agencies, however, cordoned the whole campus by setting up check posts to stop the movement of outsiders towards the university.

Besides, Several platoons of police were deployed at the Shahbagh intersection to tackle any untoward situation and halt the JCD pre-declared demonstration. Activists of JCD, student wing of BNP,

held demonstration on the campus to protest against the killing of Sentu. Wearing black ribbons they participated in the demonstration and chanted different slogans against the caretaker government.

Some student leaders with tearful eyes threw light on the life and activities of Sentu who was JCD Barisal Division president and also the vice president of central committee.

Sources said that panic has gripped many of the senior leaders of JCD and they are now suffering from arrest phobia after the killing of Sentu. The senior leaders of this student front of BNP seem to be reluctant to go in for any hard programme despite request from its junior leaders to seek the release of their party chief Begum Khaleda Zia.

Earlier in the morning, JCD activists being divided into small groups gathered at the Modhu`s canteen from different halls. Later, they held demonstration and marched throughout the campus.

As per their pre-scheduled programme, they marched towards the Chief Adviser office to submit a memorandum, but police intercepted them near Shahbag intersection.

As the police resisted their march, they held a rally on the spot and later a three-member delegation went to the Chief Adviser office to submit their memorandum.

The memorandum contained 12- point demand. It included release of Begum Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of BNP, Tarique Rahman, Arafat Rahman Koko and JCD president Azizul Bari Helal, withdrawal of state of emergency, holding the national election before all other polls, bringing down price of essentials, canceling of the anti state charter and giving punishment of those responsible for Sentu's murder.

Among others, JCD senior vice president Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, general secretary Shafiul Bari Babu, vice president Jayanta Kumar Kunda, Mostafa Khan Safari, Ekramul Haque Biplab, Nurul Islam Nayan, organising secretary Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel, Bazlul Chowdhury Abed, DU unit president Hasan Mamun, general secretary Saiful Islam Firoz, Mamunur Rashid Mamun participated in the demonstration.

Earlier, the organisation observed a token hunger strike from down to dusk on the Dhaka University campus to realize their demands.

BB announces half yearly monetary policy: Growth, higher income targets

Dr Salehuddin Ahmed

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Bank (BB) yesterday announced its half yearly monetary policy giving more priority to economic growth rather than on the immediate challenge of taming inflation.

Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed declared the policy at a crowded press conference at the Bank's head office in Dhaka that targets to maintain satisfactory growth rate amidst soaring inflation.

He said, "The policy stance targets a real GDP growth rate of 6.5 per cent and an average inflation rate of around 9.0 per cent in FY09."

For supporting growth promoting policies, the policy stance would give priority to unhindered flow of credit to private sector and the productive sectors, the Governor said.

The central bank's policy stance, which appears to be expansionary, is directly opposite to the suggestions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF was advocating for monetary contraction to accommodate this year's expansionary fiscal policy of the Government and to curb inflation.

"We will not take any policy that will hamper the credit flow. It is better to try for easing the burden of the inflation rather than to keep it under a certain level," Dr Salehuddin said in this regard.

He categorically said that it is not the duty of this organization to fix a target of inflation rate or directly check its rise.

According to the central bank, Bangladesh cannot afford a tight monetary policy "at present in view of its growth and poverty reduction imperatives".

"While monetary tightening can bring down inflation, it has unacceptably high cost in terms of foregone output and employment," it says.

However, the BB says it will not downplay the importance of avoiding "excessive monetary laxity which would harm macroeconomic stability".

The bank aims to ensure "reasonable price stability" and provide support to "sustainable and high output growth".

The central bank bills agriculture, SMEs, and the rural economy as the prime targets of credit flows. It would also undertake effective measures to encourage increased flow of credit to women entrepreneurs.

Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said that the growth in private-sector credits would be watched carefully, and if the situation warrants, necessary policy adjustments would be introduced.

For ensuring banking sector's soundness and liquidity, the BB will closely monitor the liquidity situation in the banking system and adopt appropriate measures to overcome any temporary pressure on liquidity.

The central bank would also continue to urge the banks to reduce their lending rates, the Governor said.

To keep the pressure of imported inflation under control on the foreign-exchange market, BB would maintain desired exchange-rate stability.

He said that measures would be taken to divert increasing amount of remittances toward investment in productive sectors to ease the potential demand pressure and expand the economy's productive capacity.

BB says that the implementation of the monetary policy stance faces several downside risks, which might make monetary management challenging in FY09. "It would thus be critical to monitor these challenges and implement timely policy response."

However, the Bank will introduce corrective measures speedily if necessary, for anchoring inflation expectations and before any major destabilizing effect on macroeconomic stability takes place.

"While the most effective means of fighting inflation in the present situation is by increasing domestic production, a close watch is necessary on demand side pressure," it says.

Bangladesh Bank was also critical to the fiscal policy of the Ministry and said, "Reducing the government's dependence on bank borrowing still remains an unsettled issue."

Questioned about it, the Governor declined to comment, but said, "The Government should reduce its dependence on banks."

The Bank observes that the domestic economy, despite its enough potential, operates below its capacity which needs to be realised to achieve short-term stability and brighten long-term growth prospects.

BRAC’s involvement in training programme: Govt, pry teachers’ talks fail

Staff Reporter

A meeting between the government and leaders of primary teachers to reach an understanding over the issue of proposed BRAC-sponsored training programme at more than 3,000 primary schools in 20 upazilas of the country failed yesterday as the teachers' leaders strongly opposed BRAC's involvement in the primary education.

Adviser for Primary and Mass Education Rasheda K Chowdhury sat with the leaders of eight different primary teachers associations at her ministry's conference room at Bangladesh Secretariat yesterday to reach a consensus on the issue of BRAC-sponsored training for primary teachers.

The talks were subsequently failed as the leaders of the teachers clearly asserted that they would not accept any move by the government to involve BRAC in providing training to primary teachers.

They also demanded the cancellation of the government's move to involve BRAC for providing training to primary teachers.

However, Rasheda K Chowdhury said she would again hold talks with the leaders of primary teachers over the issue.

She said BRAC would not do anything independently. Rather, BRAC trainers would train the primary teachers in consultation of the Thana Education Officers or District Education Officers.

Leaders of the eight primary teachers associations said their movement would continue until the government withdraws its decision.

They also said they would refrain from taking part in election duties during the upcoming local government elections unless the government withdraws its decision.

Our correspondents from different parts of the country reported yesterday that thousands of primary teachers staged demonstrations and brought out processions at different district headquarters demanding cancellation of the proposed BRAC-sponsored training programme for primary teachers of all schools in 20 upazilas in different parts of the country.

They also submitted memorandums to the Chief Adviser through the respective deputy commissioners (DCs) as part of their centrally announced programmes demanding the immediate withdrawal of the government approval for a pilot project.

On May 23 last, the caretaker government approved the pilot project under which BRAC would work to improve overall education and classroom environment in 20 upazilas by training teachers and making school management committees (SMC) more effective.

Terming the government's move to get the teachers trained by BRAC as a step towards privatisation of primary education as prescribed by the lending agencies, leaders of different organizations of primary teachers said they would foil this move at any cost.

Leaders of Bangladesh Primary Teachers Association said they would not join the training course under BRAC. If necessary, they threatened, they would prevent BRAC trainers from entering the schools.

Earlier, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education said the government was implementing multipurpose development activities and training programmes under Primary Education Programme II through the Directorate of Primary Education for improving primary education and raising its standard. Various national and foreign development organisations are working as the government's partners to implement the programme, pointed out the ministry.

To do so a recent proposal by the BRAC to implement programmes aimed at improving the standard of primary education through a pilot programme in 20 upazilas has been given the green light, said the ministry.

The programmes are designed to raise the attendance level of students, reduce the number of drop-outs, increase completion rate of primary education and raise the students' standard, it added. Besides, other programmes in this regard include baseline survey, teachers' training and refresher courses, activating guardians and SMC, formation of school and union forums, said the ministry.

It may be mentioned here that the responsibility of monitoring the government's programmes on primary education has not been given to BRAC or any other NGO, the ministry said.

Earlier, BRAC Chairperson Fazle Hasan Abed claimed that BRAC that had no intention of privatising or commercialising primary schools in the country and its pilot project, funded solely by BRAC, in 20 upazilas is aimed at improving the standard of education at primary schools, said

Since Brac is funding the pilot project, it will not use public funds allotted for Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-II) of the government, the Brac chief claimed adding, "We have no plan to take any fund of the PEDP-II or any fund from foreign donor agencies."

HC orders reinstatement of 10 judges after 6 years

BSS, Dhaka

The High Court on Thursday ordered reinstatement of its 10 judges removed six years ago despite successful completion of their provisional period.

A larger bench comprising Justice MA Rashid, Justice SK Sinha and Justice Nazmun-ara-Sultana issued the order on separate writ petitions by 10 of the 15 judges who challenged the government decision on the removal.

They will be reinstated as permanent judges and their seniority will be calculated from the day they were terminated," petitioners counsel Barrister Amir-ul-Islam told reporters quoting the verdict.

According to the verdict the six-year period, however, would be considered as "general leave without pay.

Fifteen judges were appointed as additional judge of the High Court Division on May 28, 2000. But the then BNP-led four party alliance government declined to "confirm" them as permanent judges.

Ten of them filed separate writ petitions on February 4, 2003 challenging their termination. The rest five did not file any writ and one of them died later.

Earlier, on May 4, 2003 a High Court Division bench had asked concerned authorities to show cause why the decision of termination would not be declared illegal and without lawful authority.

The reinstated judges are Abdus Salam, Momtaz Uddin, Shamsul Huda, Faruk Ahmed, Hasan Faiz Siddiqui, Abdul Hye, Abdur Razzak, Marjeul Haque, Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Nizamul Haque.

Senior advocates Dr Kamal Hossain, Barrister Amir-ul-Islam and Ajmamul Hossain QC appeared for the petitioners.

Army won’t be deployed during local govt polls: Combing operation to nab criminals soon

Staff Reporter

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday asked the law enforcing agencies to ensure that goons and gun can't create any trouble during the forthcoming city corporation and municipal election

The CEC said army would not be deployed during the election and it was the responsibility of the law enforcing agencies to forestall the return of the known criminals to their home grounds ahead of the City Corporation and municipal polls scheduled to be held on August 4.

"People are concerned as these criminals are returning to their areas ahead of elections. Operation will have to be launched to resist the activities of the terrorists and to recover illegal weapons," the CEC said while presiding over a law-and-order meeting at the NEC auditorium at Agargaon.

He directed the law-enforcing agencies to launch countrywide operation to arrest terrorists and recover illegal weapons for holding the local-body elections in a free, fair and neutral manner.

After the meeting he told newsmen that to ensure law and order known criminals will be targeted, taken into custody and illegal arms will be recovered prior to the polls.

Identifying half of the polling centers in the polling areas as being risky, the CEC asked the law-enforcing agencies to conduct their operation there maintaining strict neutrality.

He said that law enforcers will launch a three-tier vigilance operation in the risky areas. The first tier will be at the centre, the second tier will consist of mobile teams and the third one will be a striking force for tackling any kind of adversity, he noted.

The CEC asked all concerned officials to remain impartial from the stage of casting votes and to the end of vote counting.

Terming the local government polls " test case", he said if we can hold the city and municipality polls properly and smoothly it will make a positive impact on the upazila and national elections.

He informed that the electoral code of conduct had been maintained well so far. "But it's only two days since the state of emergency was relaxed. We have to proceed cautiously and observe whether the rules are being obeyed properly," he said.

He pointing out that this time the election officials have been vested with huge powers and they can arrest anybody without warrant who will hinder elections "But, they must be neutral in applying this special power," the Chief Election Commissioner said.

About the legal arms-holders, the CEC said a gazette notification

would be published soon from the Home Ministry so that they cannot carry them on the Election Day.

Speaking at the meeting, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Noor Mohammad said directives had already been given to all district police administration to take necessary steps to rein in terrorists and recover illegal weapons.

Principal Staff Officer Lt Gen Mohammad Abdul Mobin, LGD Secretary

Khorshed Alam, Additional Home Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid,

Additional Inspector General of Police (SB) Baharul Alam, Coastguard

DG Commodore Maksumul Kader, Director of FCIB (DGFI) Brig Gen Mamun Khaled, NSI Director General Major Gen Sheikh Md Monirul Islam, BDR director general Major Gen Shakil Ahmed and Deputy DG of Anser-VDP Brig Gen Muhammad Anisur Rahman attended the meeting.

BERC accepts gas price hike proposal

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) yesterday accepted a gas price-hike proposal placed by Petrobangla, subject to eliciting public opinion about the raise.

Now, a public hearing on the issue will take place on September 15, 2008, and before that, any interested individual or organisation can enlist their names with the BERC by July 30 to participate in the hearings.

BERC Chairman Ghulam Rahman said if the Petrobangla could justify its price-hike proposal in the proposed public hearing, only then the commission would allow it to raise the fossil-fuel price.

"We'll allow Petrobangla only to raise price at that level which it could justify in the public hearing, otherwise we'll not allow," he told journalists after an open discussion on the gas price-hike issue at the BERC office, where Petrobangla made its presentations.

In the proposal, which came hot on the heels of hike in prices of petroleum fuels, the state-owned hydrocarbon and mineral resources corporation suggested a variable price hike for its different categories of consumers.

As per the proposal, Petrobangla, for domestic consumers, suggested raising gas price to Tk 600 from the existing rate of Tk 400 for a double-burner oven while Tk 550 for single-burner oven against the present rate of Tk 350.

The proposal is for a 50 percent rise over the existing rates for domestic gas users.

The metered domestic consumers will have to pay Tk 208 instead of Tk 130 with a

price increase of 26.81 percent. Similarly, Petrobangla proposed to raise gas price for commercial users by 26.08 percent, meaning that per-unit (1000 cubic feet or 1 mcf) price will go to Tk 291.59 from the current price of Tk 233.12.

For the industrial consumers, Petrobangla proposed to re-fix per-unit gas price at Tk 182.25

instead of present rate of Tk 148.13, with a rise of 23.03 percent.

The same rate will apply to the tea-estates.

For captive power plants, the new rate is proposed to be Tk 182.25 per unit, up from the present rate of Tk 105.59, by a 72.60 percent raise.

The Petrobangla proposed Tk 93.73 per-unit gas price for the Power Development Board (PDB), independent power producer (IPP) and small power plant (SPP) instead of Tk 73.91--a 26.81 percent raise.

For fertiliser industries, the new rate is envisaged to be Tk 93.73 instead of Tk 63.41 per unit by a raise of 47.81 percent.

BERC fixed September 8 for submission of arguments and counter-arguments against and for the gas-price hike for those who want to participate in the public hearings. After the open hearings, BERC would make its decision within 30 days.

Presenting the price-hike proposal, Petrobangla Chairman Jalal Ahmed said his organisation's cumulative deficit on account of international gas companies (IOCs) is about Tk 2000 crore.

"If we don't raise gas prices, Petrobangla will have to go bankrupt shortly, which will ultimately make it unable to go for further exploration," he said to justify the merit of the government move in the interim period.

He said Petrobangla would sit with the business community separately to discuss the urgency of the price hike.

Former Dhaka Chamber president Aftab Ahmed, who represented the business community, told the meeting that gas prices could be raised since worldwide prices of oil and gas were increased. "But it must be rational, maintaining a tolerable level."

A PDB representative said if Petrobangla raised gas prices, then it would add the additional prices to its price-hike proposal that remained pending with the BERC.

Steps taken to keep commodity prices stable

Staff Reporter

The government will ask the deputy controllers and the district agriculture officers to take necessary steps for adequate production of vegetables in their areas ensure smooth supply during the month of Ramzan.

Steps will also be taken to ensure increase of production and supply of Milk Vita.

These decisions were taken yesterday at a price-monitoring meeting at Commerce Ministry with its Secretary Firoz Ahmed in the chair. Representatives from FBCCI, DCCI, oil millers, wholesalers, retailers, NBR, BDR and ministry officials attended the meeting.

The meeting was told that price of edible oil in the global market is in decreasing trend. Besides, the stock of edible oil and the import situation is satisfactory. Therefore, there is no logic of price hike of edible oil during the month of Ramzan.

The meeting reviewed the import, supply and price of edible oil, pulse, gram, onion and sugar. Business leaders in the meeting assured the government to work together to keep the commodity price stable during the holy month.

During the meeting, the government side sought cooperation of businessmen so that none could raise commodity price unusually.

The meeting decided to direct the deputy controllers and the district agriculture officers to help increase production of vegetables especially brinjal, cucumber and green chilly to ensure smooth supply. Demand of these vegetables increases several times during the month of Ramzan.

TCB chairman Ziaul Islam, joint secretary of ministry of commerce Mohammad Ali Patwari, FBCCI director Kamal Uddin Ahmed, DCCI vice president Khondker Shahidul Islam, DGM of Meghna Group of Industries Shiekh Rakibul Alam, GM of City Group Bishwajit Saha, general secretary of Bangladesh Wholesale Edible Oil Businessmen Association Abul Hashem, general secretary of Moulovibazar Businessmen Association Golam Moula were present, among others, on the occasion.

Govt challenges Nizami bail

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

The government has appealed against Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami's bail awarded by the High Court in the GATCO graft case.

Advocate Zahurul Islam submitted the appeal on behalf of the government yesterday.

Nizami's lawyer Abdur Razzak told journalists that a hearing on the appeal might be held by the Appellate Division chamber judge on Sunday.

Nizami also filed a writ petition with the High Court bench of Justice Khademul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Mashuk Hossain Ahmed on Thursday challenging the legality of the case and its trial, and requesting a stay on the proceedings against him. His lawyer told journalists that the hearing on the writ petition may be held sometime next week.

The detained former minister was arrested on May 18 as an accused in the GATCO case alongside Khaleda Zia, her younger son Arafat Rahman Coco and others.

The High Court granted Nizami bail on July 14; he was released the next day being the first senior politician to be freed on bail in a corruption case since 1/11.

Abdur Razzak said, during filing of Nizami's writ petition on Thursday: "The Anticorruption Commission's approval of the charge sheet was not correct in the case against Nizami."

"In the eyes of the law this was not a proper approval. Besides the charge sheet in the case was submitted 251 days after filing the case. But legally the investigation in the case has to be completed within 60 days."

"While he was a minister Nizami acted according to the rules of business. He did not commit any crime in doing so," the lawyer argued.

The writ petition also asked the court to issue a rule nisi on the government asking it to explain why the filing of the case and its proceedings should not be declared illegal.

The ACC filed a corruption case with Tejgaon police on Sept 2 last year against 13 people including Khaleda, Coco and Nizami, for awarding Global Agro Trade Company a cargo-handling deal through misuse of power. The antigraft body later pressed charges against a total of 25 people, on May 13 this year, for causing thousands of crores in losses to the state throuhg the illegal awarding of the contract.

On July 15 the High Court stayed the trial of the case in Dhaka Special Judge's Court-3, for two months, on a writ petition filed by Khaleda Zia challenging the legality of the case and its proceedings against her.

Bangladesh-India FS-level talks begin: Delhi urged to reduce $2 bn trade gap

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh yesterday emphasised the need for creating conditions for increasing two-way trade to minimise the huge trade gap as the foreign secretary level talks kicked off in New Delhi, an official statement said here.

"The Bangladesh Foreign Secretary emphasised the need for creating conditions for increasing two-way trade between Bangladesh and India with particular emphasis on bridging the existing trade gap between the two countries," it said.

The first-day talks also focused on greater connectivity when Foreign Secretary Md Touhid Hossain and his Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon welcomed the commencement of the Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express, said the statement.

They also noted the need for reducing the waiting time of the passengers travelling by the Maitree Express at the borders.

"The discussions on connectivity also focused on better utilisation of the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade, improvement of border infrastructure to facilitate trade, and the need for approaching specific issues through relevant forums," the statement read.

Hossain also requested for greater access of Bangladeshi exports to India and urged the Indian Foreign Secretary to expedite the completion of export of the remaining of the five- lakh tonnes of rice to Bangladesh in line with an earlier agreement.

He also urged the Indian authorities to consider complete withdrawal of restrictions on export of rice from India.

The statement signed by Bangladesh's deputy high commissioner to India M Zulfiqur Rahman said the first day talks also "extensively" reviewed other issues of bilateral relations as the routine two-day annual consultation began in the Indian capital.

It said the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary also had wide- ranging discussions with his Indian counterpart on ways to make tangible progress on water-related issues.

He in particular urged India to expedite work on reaching agreement on sharing of waters of the common rivers, especially of the Teesta.

The two Foreign Secretaries also agreed on the need for the convening of the relevant technical committees to carry on the work in this regard.

They reached a decision to work closely to counter the threats posed by terrorism and other illegal cross-border activities like smuggling of fake currencies, narcotics and drugs, and arms.

Both the delegations expressed satisfaction about the working of the existing functional mechanisms while expressing the hope that they would remain engaged and continue to have dialogue and discussions on various issues to address specific concerns.

The Bangladesh Foreign Secretary invited his Indian counterpart to visit Bangladesh for the next Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) at a convenient time.

He also paid courtesy calls on Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Indian State Minister for Commerce and Power Jairam Ramesh.

Transit issue

Bdnews24.com, adds: Foreign secretary-level talks between Bangladesh and India began in New Delhi yesterday, foreign adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said.

In reply to reporters questions on Indian transit privileges, at the foreign ministry, Iftekhar repeated his comment of the previous day.

"Nothing will be agreed in the ongoing Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi that is perceived to be against the interests of Bangladesh," he said.

Foreign Secretary Md Touhid Hossain and his Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon are leading their respective sides in the two-day long Foreign Office Consultation.

In the lead up to the talks, the Indian transit issue has come into focus in Bangladesh with the media reporting widespread misgiving that the country's interests would be hindered by any such agreement.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh will propose the launch of a direct passenger bus service between Dhaka and the North Eastern Indian cities of Shillong and Gawahati.

India has long been lobbying for Dhaka to give India passage to reach its seven North Eastern states separated from the rest of the country by Bangladesh.

AG’s resignation is great loss to me: Hassan Ariff

UNB, Dhaka

Law Advisor AF Hassan Ariff on Thursday said Attorney-General Barrister Fida M Kamal's resignation is a great loss to him. "It's a great loss to me," he told reporters at the Secretariat.

Barrister Fida Wednesday resigned on 'personal grounds' after a prolonged but fruitless meeting with the Law Adviser.

Carrying his resignation letter in his pocket, he had gone to the office of Law Adviser Hassan Ariff in the afternoon and submitted the letter addressed to the President, Law Ministry sources said.

The Law Adviser persistently persuaded him to change his mind, but the 60-year-old Fida stuck to his guns.

For quite some time, the relationship between Fida and the government had been strained over some important cases for their quick disposal.

The latest dispute cropped up over an ordinance related to recruitment of government law officers and organogram of the attorney services. "He felt insulted as he was never consulted in this matter," a source in the AG office said.

US 'to open Iran base in weeks’

Agency

The US has refused to deny reports that it will establish a US diplomatic presence in Iran in the next month.

The UK's Guardian newspaper reports the US plans to open an interests section in Tehran, its first diplomatic presence in the country for 30 years.

The state department said its policy towards Iran was unchanged, but that it wanted to reach out to Iranians.

It comes as the US announced that a top diplomat would attend talks in Geneva with the Iranians on Saturday.

The talks will be the first time in 30 years that such a high-ranking US diplomat - the third-most senior in the US - has met Iranian officials.

US officials said recently that the idea of a diplomatic presence in Iran was being discussed, but that it was not being actively worked on.

The unsourced Guardian report said that the interests section - a step towards setting up an embassy - would be similar to the one in Cuba.

When asked for a comment, the state department sent out a note with past comments made by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

She said that while US policy towards Iran was known and unchanged, the Iranian people deserved better.

Ms Rice added that the US was determined to find ways to reach out to the Iranian people and wanted more Iranians to visit the US.

While Washington still insists Iran must suspend uranium enrichment - a process the West fears could be used to make nuclear weapons - there seems to be a significant change in US tone, says the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington.

Tehran has an interests section in Washington, where it processes visa applications and which gives it a presence on the ground in the US.

But the US has not had a diplomatic presence in Iran since the hostage crisis in 1979, and Iranians have to go to Dubai to get US visas.

Humanitarian aid agencies join forces against graft

Staff Reporter

Leaders in the humanitarian community have resolved to do more to address the risks of corruption in relief efforts, according to a report published by Transparency International yesterday.

The report, Preventing Corruption in Humanitarian Assistance documents perceptions of corruption in humanitarian operations through interviews with staff of several leading international humanitarian NGOs who have partnered with Transparency International (TI) to better address corruption risks.

According to a message received in Dhaka, the report finds that many humanitarian agencies providing vital relief are aware of corruption risks and have developed a range of policies and practices to prevent it. Whistleblower policies, codes of conduct for staff, and financial controls are just some of the measures participating organizations have already put into place.

However, the humanitarian community at large has not yet addressed this problem in a comprehensive manner. Humanitarian aid providers would benefit from wider and more systematic exchange on new approaches and best practices, including evaluating their effectiveness in mitigating corruption, according to the report, a joint publication of Tufts University, the Overseas Development Institute and TI.

The stakes are high, particularly for those in dire need of life-saving aid. Humanitarian budgets have nearly doubled since the beginning of the decade and now account for up to 14 per cent of official development assistance, reaching more than US $10 billion in 2006. "Considering the impact of corruption on the most vulnerable aid recipients, as well as the magnitude of disaster and post-conflict relief efforts costing millions, detecting and preventing corruption in relief processes is an urgent priority," Huguette Labelle, Chair, Transparency International has been qupted as saying.

Perceptions of what constitutes corruption vary, according to the report, and are often limited to financial mismanagement and fraud; nepotism/cronyism, sexual exploitation and diversion of aid resources to non-target groups are less often considered forms of corruption. "The corruption challenges faced are significant, complex and can arise in developed and developing countries, with potentially disastrous and long-term effects on humanitarian missions," said Roslyn Hees, Senior Advisor at TI.

Some humanitarian staff, the report found, view corruption controls as a factor that slows down the rapid aid delivery essential for saving lives, especially in the acute initial stage of an emergency. But agencies increasingly see that improving the ability to handle a sudden surge in aid -including putting in place corruption prevention measures from the beginning- is essential for long-term effectiveness.

Recent initiatives to increase accountability to aid recipients can empower beneficiaries to report corruption, but local power structures and cultural inhibitions may also inhibit the effectiveness of this strategy, the report says.