The New Nation - Internet Edition

Tbilisi declares unilateral cease-fire in face of Russian invasion: Georgian troops retreat from South Ossetia

AP, Tbilisi

Georgia's Foreign Ministry says Georgian troops have begun observing a cease-fire in the breakaway province of South Ossetia and officials are ready to negotiate with Russia.

The ex-Soviet state says troops have ceased fire on President Mikhail Saakashvili's orders.

Earlier Sunday, Georgian troops retreated from South Ossetia, overwhelmed by Russian firepower as the conflict threatened to set off a wider war. Russia deployed a naval squadron off the coast of another of Georgia's separatist regions, Abkhazia, and its jets bombed the outskirts of Tblisi, the Georgian capital.

Georgia's Security Council chief Alexander Lomaia said he hoped the Georgian withdrawal would be a first step toward a cease-fire. "We communicated that message beforehand to the Russians through (U.S. Secretary of State) Condoleezza Rice," he said.

Georgia, whose troops have been trained by American soldiers, began an offensive to regain control over South Ossetia overnight Friday, launching heavy rocket and artillery fire and air strikes that pounded the provincial capital, Tskhinvali.

In response, Russia, which has granted passports to most South Ossetians, launched overwhelming artillery shelling and air attacks on Georgian troops.

Russia has demanded that Georgia pull out its troops from South Ossetia as a condition to negotiate a cease-fire. It also urged Georgia to sign a pledge not to use force against South Ossetia as another condition for ending hostilities.

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said that Moscow now needs to verify the Georgian withdrawal. "We must check all that. We don't trust the Georgian side," he said.

On Sunday, Russian jets raided a plant on the eastern outskirts of Tbilisi that builds Su-25 ground jets.

The attack damaged runways but caused no casualties, said Georgia's Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili.

"We heard a plane go over and then a big explosion," said Malkhaz Chachanidze, a 41-year old ceramics artist whose house is located just outside the fence of the factory, which has been running since the Soviet era. "It woke us up, everything shook."

The risk of the conflict setting off a wider war increased when Russian-supported separatists in another breakaway region of Georgia, Abkhazia, launched air and artillery strikes on Georgian troops to drive them out of a small part of the province they control. Fifteen U.N. military observers were told to evacuate.

Both South Ossetia and Abkhazia have run their own affairs without international recognition since splitting from Georgia in the early 1990s and have built up ties with Moscow. Russia has granted its passports to most of their residents.

In yet another sign that the conflict could widen, Ukraine warned Russia on Sunday it could bar Russian navy ships from returning to their base in the Crimea because of their deployment to Georgia's coast.

President Bush called for an end to the Russian bombings and an immediate halt to the violence.

"The attacks are occurring in regions of Georgia far from the zone of conflict in South Ossetia. They mark a dangerous escalation in the crisis," Bush said in a statement to reporters while attending the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Karasin said the ships were sent toward Abkhazia as a deterrent.

"The deployment is quite natural. We don't want a repeat of what happened in South Ossetia," he said at a news conference.

The foreign ministers of France and Finland were to arrive in Georgia Sunday to discuss ways to end the conflict.

Russian jets have been roaming Georgia's skies since Friday. They raided several air bases and bombed the Black Sea port city of Poti, which has a sizable oil shipment facility. The Russian warplanes also struck near the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline which carries Caspian crude to the West, but no supply interruptions have been reported.

Georgia President Mikhail Saakashvili called it an "unprovoked brutal Russian invasion."

Jim Jeffrey, Bush's deputy national security adviser, warned "if the disproportionate and dangerous escalation on the Russian side continues, that this will have a significant long-term impact on U.S.-Russian relations."

A Russian raid on Gori near South Ossetia Saturday which apparently targeted a military base on the town's outskirts left numerous civilian casualties.

An Associated Press reporter who visited the town shortly after the strike saw several apartment buildings in ruins, some still on fire, and scores of dead bodies and bloodied civilians. The elderly, women and children were among the victims.

Russian officials said they weren't targeting civilians, but Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Georgia brought the airstrikes upon itself by bombing civilians and Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia. He warned that the small Caucasus country should expect more attacks.

"Whatever side is used to bomb civilians and the positions of peacekeepers, this side is not safe and they should know this," Lavrov said.

The U.N. Security Council planned to meet Sunday for the fourth time in four days to try to resolved the situation.

Karasin, Russia's deputy foreign minister, said more than 2,000 people had been killed in South Ossetia since Friday, most of them Ossetians with Russian passports. The figures could not be independently confirmed.

But residents of the provincial capital Tskhinvali who survived the bombardment by hiding in basements and later fled the city estimated that hundreds of civilians had died. They said bodies were lying everywhere.

Lomaia, Georgia's Security Council chief, estimated that Russia sent 2,500 troops into Georgia.

In Saturday's meeting with refugees in the city of Vladikavkaz across the border, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin described Georgia's actions as "complete genocide. Putin also said Georgia had effectively lost the right to rule the breakaway province - an indication Moscow could be preparing to fulfill South Ossetians' wish to be absorbed into Russia.

Georgia borders the Black Sea between Turkey and Russia and was ruled by Moscow for most of the two centuries preceding the breakup of the Soviet Union. Today, Russia has approximately 30 times more people than Georgia and 240 times the area.

Russia also laid much of the responsibility for ending the fighting on Washington, which has trained Georgian troops. Washington, in turned, blamed Russia.

Georgia said it has shot down 10 Russian planes, including four brought down Saturday, according to Lomaia. It also claimed to have captured two Russian pilots, who were shown on Georgian television.

Russian Col. Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn, deputy chief of the General Staff, confirmed Saturday that two Russian planes had been shot down, but did not say where or when.

Russian military commanders said 15 peacekeepers have been killed and about 150 wounded in South Ossetia, accusing Georgian troops of killing and wounding Russian peacekeepers when they seized Russian checkpoints. The allegations couldn't be independently confirmed.

In Abkhazia, the separatist government said it intended to push Georgian forces out of the Kodori Gorge. The northern part of the gorge is the only area of Abkhazia that has remained under Georgian government control.

Separatist forces also were concentrating on the border with Georgia's Zugdidi region, and Russia's NTV television reported that additional Russian troops landed in Abkhazia Sunday, heading in the same direction.

Phelps makes new record

United States' gold medal winner Michael Phelps,
centre, is flanked by Hungary's Laszlo Cseh, silver, and his
compatriot bronze medal winner Ryan Lochte during the medal
distribution ceremony for the men's 400-meter individual
medley final during the swi

AFP, Beijing

American superstar Michael Phelps obliterated his own world record in winning the first of a potential record-breaking eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics swimming competition yesterday.

The 23-year-old shattered his record in comfortably winning the 400 metres individual medley gold medal in four minutes 03.84 seconds.

Phelps carved 1.41 seconds off his mark of 4:05.25 set at the American trials in Omaha last June. Phelps, watched by US President George W.Bush, beat home Hungary's Laszlo Cseh (4:06.16) and teammate Ryan Lochte (4:08.09).

"I knew it was going to be a tough race all the way through and I wasn't really happy to turn and see all three of us together at the 200 metres point," Phelps said.

"I wasn't really comfortable with that close a race, I normally have more of a gap. That was a pretty emotional race. "It was cool, I looked up and saw him (Bush), he waved the flag and nodded his head, that was a cool feeling to have the president here and to say congratulations."

It was Phelps's seventh career Olympic gold medal and ninth overall as he chases down Mark Spitz's 36-year-old record of seven golds at one Games.

Phelps's exacting campaign to achieve that will entail at least 17 races, but he showed he was up to the challenge by being under world record pace throughout the 400m medley final.

He was challenged by Lochte in the second backstroke leg with his teammate slightly ahead of him at one stage.

But Phelps finished powerfully in the breaststroke and freestyle legs to convincingly win gold. "In the last 100 metres I could see Lochte was tiring, so I tried everything I could," Cseh said.

"It helped swimming in the next lane to Michael and I wanted to try and catch him."

Lochte, who held the 200m backstroke world record up to this year's US trials, said his backstroke leg had damaged his chances in the race.

"I think my backstroke leg hurt me a bit more than I wanted it to and the breaststroke I just held on and it was all over by the freestyle," he said.

"As for Michael, you can't ask for more than a gold medal and a world record, it was a great way to start of the meet for the USA."

Phelps's peerless form in the opening final of the Olympic competition had the admiration of his fellow swimmers.

Australia's world champion butterflyer Jessicah Schipper said of Phelps:" It was an awesome swim, he's just crazy.

"It's always great to see a great swimmer and to see someone take one step towards their goal is inspiring."

Powder milk samples sent for chemical analysis

Members of the Joint Forces, customs officials,
importers' representatives and PSI Staff inspecting the
seized powder milk at Chittagong Port yesterday.
FocusBangla

Chittagong Correspondent

The samples of the powder milk for which the research wing of Chittagong Customs refused to give clearance on public health ground, have been sent to BSTI and BCSIR for chemical analysis.

High officials of Chittagong Customs in presence of the joint force personeel and representatives of the

Bureau Varitas, pre-shipment inspection (PSI) company, physically examined the allegedly rotten-suspect powdered milk yesterday morning.

The Audit, Investigation and Research wing of the customs in the port city earlier on Friday blocked clearance of 450 tonnes of powdered milk on public health safety grounds.

The huge consignment was imported by Abul Khair Food Products (AKFP), a sister concern of Abul Khair Group. Several records of document frauds, tax evasion, contaminated food import and manipulations of other forms by the enterprises of this group made the customs people suspicious of the latest import of milk.

The inspection body reportedly did not find the information mandatory for import of food items nor did it find reasons of hiding the information if the quality of the milk was good.

"None of the milk packets had date of manufacturing and expiry or country of origin imprinted upon apart from scratch marks at the place of the information," Joint Commissioner of Customs Kazi Mustafizur Rahman told reporters.

Sources said that the samples would also undergo radiation tests in addition to the chemical analysis.

No timeframe has reportedly been earmarked for the examinations so far. It was, however, expected that the agencies concerned would put due attention in delivering the reports of the laboratory tests within earliest possible.

Customs big shots turned down possibility of releasing the consignment before convincing laboratory reports and radiation status. The consignment was reportedly imported targeting the consumption-hike mainly in the holy month of Ramadan.

Officials of the controversial pre-shipment inspection (PSI) company Bureau Varitas could not clarify the reason of missing information. It also failed justifying its roles as a body of authentication while giving clean report of findings (CRF) for the consignment.

Officials hinted that the PSI Company Bureau Varitas would have to face stern action this time if the quality of the milk is found unsatisfactory. Earlier, three other PSI companies had to face huge penalty or license cancellation for their misdeeds.

General Officer Commanding (GOC) in Chittagong cantonment, Joint force representative Captain Iftekhar, Bureau Varitas official Jabed Iqbal, Audit, Investigation and Research wing official Pravas Chandra Tarafdar and Joint Commissioner of customs Kazi Mustafizur Rahman ,among others, were present during the physical inspection.

Khaleda to be released without any condition

BNP activits rush in front of the sub-jail at the
Sangshad Bhaban premises yesterday on haring the news of
likely release of their party chief Begum Khaleda any time.
Focus Bangla

Staff Reporter

Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is expected to be released soon without any conditions, as part of an apparent deal to create a level playing fieled for the major political parties in December general polls.

"She (Khaleda) is going to be freed soon, unconditionally," said Adviser for Communications Maj Gen (Retd) Ghulam Quader, while talking to reporters yesterday.

Though the Adviser confirmed that the procedure to release Khaleda Zia was at the final stages, he did not give a specific date for her release.

Asked whether Begum Zia might be released by this week, he said, "That is difficult for me to say."

"There will be no conditions. She (Khaleda) will be released without any conditions attached," Ghulam Quader said.

Insiders, however, indicated that Begum Zia might be released within a day or two.

Begum Khaleda Zia was arrested on September 2 last year in the GATCO graft case. Later she has been implicated in some other cases.

Earlier on Saturday, Adviser for Commerce Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters that the procedure of the release of Khaleda Zia was is in the final stage. "I hope there will be a result very soon," he added.

However, the Adviser while talking to reporters yesterday also refused to speculate on the timing of her release.

Meanwhile, Ghulam Quader also confirmed that freedom for Tarique Rahman, the elder son of Begum Zia, was also being considered on humanitarian grounds.

Begum Zia wants the release of Tarique Rahman, who was also arrested on corruption charges, has been sick in prison, and send him abroad for treatment.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, the archrival of Khaleda Zia, was also arrested on corruption charges and paroled in June for medical treatment abroad.

Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector-General of Prisons, Maj Shamsul Haider Siddiqui yesterday told reporters that the jail authorities are trying to convince Khaleda Zia to enrol her in the new voters list as the deadline for enlistment expires today

Asked about the release of Begum Zia he said the jail authority does not deal with the release matter and that he could only know the news through the news media.

US to give meaningful market facility to Bangladesh: Zillur

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh, Nepal and Cambodia will be given 'commercially meaningful market facility' in the form of duty and quota-free access to the developed countries, Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman told newsmen yesterday.

"In the WTO meeting when it was proposed that the duty and quota free access facility should be provided to non-LDC countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh demanded the same facility as a LDC country," Zillur said at a press briefing at his ministry on the outcome of WTO mini-ministerial conference in Geneva and the country's future trade strategy.

He said following the demand it had been decided that 'commercially meaningful market facility' in the form of duty and quota-free access would be extended to Bangladesh, Nepal and Cambodia.

Hossain Zillur said an attempt was made at the WTO meeting in Geneva to create a rift among the LDC countries of Africa and Asia.

"But we succeeded in making the African countries understand that we will be giving them concession in duty and quota-free access to some of their commodities, if necessary," he said.

However, he said, bilateral talks would have to be continued to realise the pledges Bangladesh had received.

The adviser said, "All of us have to do our best to expand trade in internal and external arena and ensure political stability at home. We hope good sense will prevail over everyone."

Asked when the caretaker government's tenure ends in December, how it will tackle the twin task of bilateral dialogue and electoral preparations, the adviser said, "We are aware of our responsibility."

"A government has to do many things at a time. If any government fails to do so it cannot be called a government. We are also trying to do all the tasks in hand. I think we are going ahead," he added.

Zillur said "Besides the existing markets, we'll try to explore markets in Latin America that remain unexplored," and added that he would lead a business delegation to Latin America during the tenure of this government.

He said local products have potentials in Brazil, Chili and Argentina as well as in some other countries in the region.

The Adviser conceived the idea of exploring Latin America during a meeting with Brazilian Trade Minister on the sidelines of the World

Trade Organisation (WTO) mini-ministerial.

He said that the Brazilian minister expressed the interest to open up their mission here while Bangladesh would also set up its mission there.

WTO cell Director General Amitabh Chakrabarti, CPD executive director Dr Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh Tariff Commission Chairman Prof Mohammad Taslim, BGMEA president Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, - who attended the WTO meeting, were present in on the occasion.

Contribution of capital market to GDP insignificant

BSS, Chittagong

Contribution of the country's capital market to the GDP was still insignificant compared to the neighbouring countries though capital gain against the investment through the market is totally non-taxable.

"In Bangladesh, capital market's contribution to GDP is only 11 to 12 per cent while it accounted 90 per cent in India, 80 per cent in Thailand and 40 percent in Pakistan," Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) president Nasiruddin Ahmed Chowdhury said while exchanging views with the journalists here on Saturday night.

CSE directors Tarek Kamal and Bejon Chakraborty, chief executive officer AB Siddique, among others, spoke at the function held at the Chittagong Club.

The CSE president said the country's capital market has registered a steady growth in recent years but was still lagging behind in terms of its size and overall influence on the economy in comparison with the neighbouring countries.

He said the total market capital of the country's share market has jumped to 11.20 billion

US dollar from around four billion in past five years while the total turnover rose to Taka 5,064 crore up to June last which was only Taka 1,358 crore in 2002.

"But the total market capital of India's capital market is around 1,200 billion US dollar, 69 billion US dollar in Pakistan, 7.7 billion US dollar in Sri Lanka and 202 billion US dollar in Thailand," he said.

Nasiruddin Chowdhury said the CSE and DSE together have placed a proposal to the Security Exchange Commission (SEC) -- the security market watchdog, a few months back to introduce Book-Building method instead of present Fixed-Price method in determining the prices of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) of common shares of a company so that big investors with good business track record feel encouraged to come to the security market for raising their funds for business expansion.

Volatile market situation, lack in implementing the rules and regulation properly and less consciousness among both small and big investors in realising the core culture and behaviour of the capital market were main causes behind the poor state of country's capital market, observed the president of the country's second bourse.

Unfortunately, entrepreneurs were still reluctant to depend on capital market for raising their required fund though it is quite easier and less expensive than other means like borrowing money from banks while the general investors are virtually considers the local capital market as a place of short- term profit which is an alarming trend in the way of sustainability of the capital market, he also viewed.

Referring to private mobile operator Grameen Phone's decision to float share into capital market, CSE president hoped that the country's capital market would find a stronghold by the year 2015 if present trend of growth continues with coming up of big enterprises in both public and private sectors to the market.

BJMC owes Tk 140cr to jute growers

Staff Reporter

The leaders of Bangladesh Small Jute-traders and Jute-growers Association (BSJJA) yesterday called upon the growers and traders not to sell raw jute to the state run Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation ( BJMC) until it clears the outstanding dues amounting to Tk 140 crore to the growers and small traders.

They gave this call at a representative conference at the Jatiya Press Club. Industrial Affairs Secretary of Awami League Col. (Retd) Faruque Khan was chief guest at the conference while former President of Dhaka University of Teachers' Association

Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Agriculture Affairs Secretary of Awami League Dr Abdur Razzaque spoke at the programme as special guests.

They said the jute traders will go to the court if the jute mills under BJMC fail to make the long overdue payment to them.

BJMC owes to this huge amount to about 5,000 growers and small jute traders. Of the amount, Tk Tk 105 crore remains outstanding for the year 2005-06 and Tk 22 crore for the year 2006-07.

The unpaid bill of the Adamjee Jute Mills, which was closed down in the 2001 stood at Tk 11 crore.

Harun-ur-Rashid, general secretary of BSJJA, alleged that BJMC has been buying jute from the new growers and traders without clearing the outstanding bills of the old traders and growers.

He gave a very poignant account of the miserable lives of the poor jute growers and traders for the non-payment of their long outstanding dues.

He urged the government to solve the problem and make fresh allocation for buying jute this year with cash payment.

Harun suggested formation of a national commission comprising jute growers, jute traders, workers,economists, government officials and representatives of society to identify the quarters responsible for destroying the jute sector .

Faruque Khan said that non-payment of the outstanding dues of the growers and small traders amounted to violation of the constitution. If the government becomes " bill defaulter" how it will take action against loan defaulters, he asked.

He called upon the government to allocate Tk 300 crore to save the jute sector.

Abdur Razzaque regretted that when the jute mills in our country are being closed down one after another on the advice of the World Bank and donor agencies new jute mills are being set up in India.

He blamed the mismanagement and lack of concrete policy for ther present pitiable condition of our jute sector.

AAMS Arefin Siddique was of the view that "ill advice " of the World Bank and IMF was responsible for the debacle of the jute sector in our country.

BSJJA vice president Nurul Islam Chowdhury, Shamim Ahmed Morol, Sheikh Al Jafar, Assistant Secretary Basir Ullah, Rejaul Karim, Kartik Shah, among others, addressed at the conference.

Govt follows HC verdict: August 15 to be observed as Mourning Day

UNB, Dhaka

The Council of Advisers of the caretaker government Sunday decided that government would execute the High Court verdict on 15th August, the day when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated way back in 1975.

In its recent ruling upon a writ petition, the High Court declared illegal the government decision taken in 2002 canceling August 15 as national mourning day and the hoisting of national flag half-mast on the day at government and non-government offices and establishments and at Bangladesh's missions abroad.

A regular weekly meeting of the council of advisers with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin

Ahmed in the chair took the crucial decision to go by the High Court verdict.

On July 27, a two-member HC Division Bench of Justice MA Rashid and Justice M Ashfaqul Islam delivered the judgment following a public-interest litigation writ petition, scrapping the impugned decision of the immediate-past BNP-led coalition government taken on July 28, 2002.

The HC rulings also set aside the changes made to the Flag Rules 1972 prohibiting the hoisting of national flag half-mast to pay respects to the memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The HC in its ruling observed that the alliance government's decisions were in violation of state decisions. The grounds on which the alliance government cancelled observance of National Mourning Day and a public holiday on August 15 were also not factually correct, it held.

In cancelling August 15 as National Mourning Day and a public holiday, the BNP-led government had argued that previously the day had neither been fixed nor been observed as such.

On August 8, 1996, the Awami League government headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared August 15 as National Mourning Day and public holiday.

Following the Awami League government's decision, August 15 used to be observed with due respect at state level with the national flag flying at half-mast all over the country and at Bangladesh missions abroad.

The country's founding father was assassinated on August 15, 1975 along with most members of his family by a group of in-service and sacked army personnel in a putsch.

The council-of-advisers meeting also approved timetable for government offices for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, as placed by the Establishment Ministry.

As per the timings, government offices will run from 9 am to 3:30 pm from Sunday to Thursday with Johr prayer break from 1:15 pm to 1:30 pm. Fridays and Saturdays will remain as government weekly holidays. The Supreme Court will fix the timetable for all the courts while other sectors their own.

Transacting another important business, the meeting also approved in principle the Local Government (Municipality) (Amendment) Ordinance 2008 and the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Ordinance 2008.

The two laws govern elections and functions of the local-government bodies. The amendments came a week after the August 4 election to four city corporations and nine municipalities as what was dubbed a "test case".

It also finally approved the Information and Communication Technology (Amendment) Act 2006.

After elaborate discussion on Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 1898, the meeting asked for resubmitting it after further examination by the Law Ministry.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim briefed newsmen about the outcome of the meeting.

Members of the Advisory Council attended the meeting at the CA's office. Cabinet Secretary, CA's Press Secretary and Secretaries concerned were also present.

IMF presses for VAT reforms

UNB, Dhaka

Jonathan C. Dunn, IMF representative in Dhaka, Sunday suggested the government to reform the country's two decades of Value Added Tax (VAT) system to match global standard.

Dunn however hailed the National Board of Revenue (NBR) saying the revenue agency has crossed its revenue collection target for the first time.

"But the current VAT system needs to be reformed, as the value added tax in Bangladesh is actually one kind of excise tax," he said while speaking at the monthly luncheon meeting of Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at Sonargaon Hotel.

He said the VAT system in Bangladesh is still not friendly for the businessmen and commoners.

"I request the government to liberalise the VAT system. It has to be designed properly so that the businessmen and others have easy access to the system," he said.

Dunn further asked the government to formulate tighter monetary

policy as what he said was the "present policy is much expansionary

for dealing with the soaring inflation".

He said the country's medium-term outlook is positive although inflationary pressure still remains a major challenge to the economy.

He voiced concern over the current political uncertainty, saying the issue has remained still a big obstacle to the both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and domestic investment.

He also asked the NBR authorities to ensure transparency of the tax collectors to shore up the revenue collection.

FICCI president Wali Bhuiyan said if Bangladesh want to attain double-digit economic growth rate in near future it has to overcome the political instability and the country's law and order situation will have to be improved.

He was also critical of the country's governments for its weak management of macro economy, which has been facing challenges due to lack of food security and soaring price of essentials.

Since long, the IMF has been recommending the government to widen the VAT net bringing new sectors into the tax system and eliminate tax and VAT exemptions. According to IMF observation, Bangladesh's economy bounces backed quite well in the second half of the last fiscal.A strong revival in domestic economic activity and rapid growth in garment manufacturing and remittances enabled the country to grow by more than 6 percent in 2007-08 fiscal year.

RMG workers ransack 19 factories at Savar

UNB, Savar

Industrial workers, agitating over arrear payment, on Sunday damaged 15 garment factories and four nearby markets during continued protests in Savar Industrial area.

The unrest continued until police rushed to the scene and used batons to disperse the agitating workers. At least 15 workers were injured in police action and violence.

Police said the trouble began after workers of Polonia Garment Factory in Jamgara area resorted to agitation when they on arrival in the morning to collect their arrear payments found the main factory gate closed.

Around 200 of the protesting workers later blocked the nearby Dhaka-Tangail highway sparking tension and disrupting traffic movement for over an hour. Later, workers from nearby factories also joined with them in the agitation and attacked nearby factories and markets indiscriminately using sticks and pelting bricks. They also damaged two vehicles.

The affected factories are Polonia Garments Ltd, Shed Fashions Ltd, Star Link Creation Ltd, Rivers Composite Ltd, Envoy Fashions Ltd, Scandesk Ltd, Setara Group, Nodetex, Posak Knitwear Ltd, Designer Jeans Ltd, Universe Factory, Isha Fashions Ltd, Palmal Group, Five Brothers Ltd and GBS Garments.

The damaged markets are Samir Plaza Shopping Complex, Helin Plaza, Nigar Plaza and Noorjahan Mansion.

On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control by dispersing them using batons. Around 15 workers were injured in the police action, workers claimed.

Meanwhile, in the new area of Dhaka Export Processing Zone(DEPZ), the authorities shut down Soft Text Factory due agitations staged by workers on their demands. Another factory, running short of production orders, was also shut down in the area till August 20.

Denmark to procure more ships from Bangladesh

UNB, Dhaka

Denmark is keen to procure more ships from Bangladesh as the country has future in the area.

Danish Ambassador in Dhaka Einar Hebogaard Jensen expressed the willingness during a meeting with Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at the latter's office here on Sunday.

During the meeting, they reviewed the total gamut of bilateral relations. They also discussed the ways and means to boost economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Speaking to the media afterwards Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury said: "We talked about development cooperation- a common strategy of the Nordic Countries. The Ambassador gave me the very good news that the first ship built in Bangladesh 'Stella Maris' has been delivered to Denmark recently."

The Danish Ambassador told "in terms of shipbuilding, it is sure that, Bangladesh has future in the area. Over the past two years two ships have been built here. We believe that Bangladesh could be the next nation of shipbuilders."

Asked whether fresh order of importing more ships from Bangladeshi shipyards would be made, the Ambassador replied that they would encourage the buyers to come and buy ships from here.

Ill-gotten money: Chargesheet against Bashundhara Chairman submitted

Court Correspondent

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday submitted charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court against Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan alias Shah Alam, his wife Afroza Begum and 4 sons for amassing wealth through their ill-gotten money and concealing facts about their wealth in their income-tax returns they submitted to the ACC.

Shah Alam's accused sons are: Sadat Sobhan alias Tanveer, Safiat Sobhan alias Sanveer, Sayem Sobhan alias Enueer and Safwan Sobhan alias Tajveer.

All the six accused are at large. ACC sought warrant of arrest against the fugitive. ACC filed the case with Ramna Thana of Dhaka on December 9 last year and Md Mahbubur Rahman, Deputy Assistant Director of ACC and Investigation Officer (IO) of the case submitted the charge sheet Sunday.

ACC filed the case under Sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2004, Section 109 of the Penal Code and Section 15 of the Emergency Power Rules 2007.