The New Nation - Internet Edition

Iftekhar holds series of meetings with diplomats: Govt’s last ditch attempt to hang on to Emergency

Pulack Ghatack

The Government is soliciting international support to continue the State of Emergency, which appears to be a stumbling block to the general elections.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury is holding series of meetings with the diplomats to woo their support for holding the parliamentary election under emergency rule.

On Sunday, the Adviser held nearly an hour-long meeting with European Commission Ambassador Dr Stefan Frowein particularly on this issue.

It was the second meeting between the two within five days after the European Union delegation met Iftekhar on Wednesday.

The Adviser also held an exclusive talk with Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Dhaka Renata Lok-Dessallien yesterday.

Iftekhar and Renata discussed the whole gamut of Bangladesh-UNDP development cooperation focusing on the issues of human rights and restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.

Following the meeting Iftekhar expressed the hope that the UN would send observers to monitor the election in December despite continuation of the Sate of Emergency.

"These meetings are very crucial to form the base of Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmeds talks with the chiefs of some influential countries in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this month," a Foreign Ministry official told the New Nation yesterday.

However, sticking to the Government's position to hold election under emergency rule, the Foreign Adviser could not make the EU agree to send election observation team in Bangladesh till now.

After the meeting on Monday Dr Frowein said, "I can say clearly that we do not normally observe elections under the state of emergency. We normally don't do that."

Frowein said the EC for External Affairs would take the final decision about sending the election observers mission to Dhaka after analysing the situation.

Dr Iftekhar said he would meet the European Commission Commissioner for External Relations Dr Benita Ferrero-Waldner in New York on September 22 in this connection.

I will try to convince the commissioner to make an exception to its rule on the issue of sending polls observers to Bangladesh, if the general elections were held under the State of Emergency, the Adviser said.

He hopped that the EU would consider the matter in view of the uniqueness of the circumstances in Bangladesh.

There is a strong opposition in political and diplomatic fronts against holding election under emergency that curtails fundamental rights of the citizens.

Almost all the political parties, including Awami League and BNP, have been demanding that the emergency be lifted to allow politicians to campaign freely.

On the contrary, the Government said emergency measures would be eased to allow politicians to run a proper campaign, while ensuring tranquillity in the country.

Most of the countries are also urging the Caretaker Government to lift emergency.

The United States in February urged the interim government to lift the year-long State of Emergency and hold elections before the end of 2008.

"The sooner the emergency is lifted the better, and the sooner the elections can be held the better," said senior State Department official Donald Camp while visiting the country recently.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma is expected to visit Bangladesh in October 26 to talk on the crucial issue of restoration of democracy.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) recently turned down Bangladesh's plea to restore its membership in the international body.

The interim government took power on January 12, 2007, one day after elections were cancelled following months of violence over vote-rigging allegations.

The Government later pledged to hold fresh polls by December after cleaning up the country's notoriously corrupt politics, and launched a massive anti-graft drive.

Seeking to soothe friction between the Government and political parties, Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin has been reiterating that the national election would be held in December.

Mohammedan champs in Federation Cup Football

Mohammedan Sporting Club, the champions of the
Citycell Federation Cup Football Tournament celebrate with
the trophy at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on
Monday.FocusBangla

Sabbir Hossain

Mohammedan Sporting Club emerged as the champions of the Citycell Federation Cup Football Tournament when they beat their arch rivals runners-up Abahani Limited 3-2 in a hard-fought tie-breaker of the final match at the flood-lit Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday.

The stipulated ninety-minute match ended in a 1-1 draw.

It was almost a fifty-fifty affair and Mohammedan Sporting Club got success in the penalty shoot-out. Thus the black and white outfit annexed the Federation Cup.

After a barren first half Ameli of Abahani Limited put his team ahead using a right-side cross of his teammate Ibrahim in the 54th minute of the play.

In the 70th minute of the game Rabin of Mohammedan Sporting Club dodged past three Abahani markmen Samad, Sujan and Nazrul and made no mistake to put the ball into the blank net deceiving the Abahani custodian Biplob.

Earlier, Abahani got two notable chances in the first half while their arch rivals Mohammedan created one move but all the attempts went in vain.

In the second half Mohammedan got the easiest chance in the 75th minute but Mohammedan's Nigerian recruit Alamu Bukolo failed to beat helpless goalkeeper Biplob.

As the regulation minute-match ended in a 1-1 draw thus the match went into the extra time but both the teams failed to generate any notable move.

As the extra thirty-minute match ended in a goalless draw thus the fate of the match was decided in the tie-breaker.

Emmanuel, Maruf, Komol of Mohammedan Sporting Club got success in the penalty shoot-out while Waly,Pranotosh successfully struck the spot kick.

On the other hand, Emeli, Mamun, Nazrul of the Dhanmondi-based outfit failed in the penalty shoot-out while Rajani of Motijheel-based outfit failed in the tie-breaker.

Mohammedan Sporting Club : Aminul (goalkeeper), Hasan Al Mamun, Rajani, Shoikot, Kamal, Arman Aziz(captain), Mahmoud(Maruf), Sharif, Alamu Bukola, Rabin(Komol).

Abahani Limited : Biplob(goalkeeper), Siraji, Samad, Nazrul(captain), Sujan(Prodip), Waly, Joy(Pranotosh), Abul(Zahed), Mamun, Ameli, Ibrahim.

Yellow Cards :Samad, Mamun, Ameli, Ibrahim(Abahani) and Alamu Bukolo(Mohammedan).

Referee : Azad Rahman.

Fukuda resigns in surprise move

Fukuda

AFP, Tokyo

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda announced his sudden resignation Monday, calling for a fresh start after a troubled year in power that saw bitter fighting with the opposition.

The surprise announcement came after the 72-year-old political moderate failed to turn around dwindling public support for his government despite reshuffling his cabinet and unveiling a major economic stimulus package.

"Today, I have decided to resign. We need a new line-up to cope with a new session of parliament," Fukuda told a hastily arranged news conference.

"I have determined that now is the most opportune time, in which we will not create a political void," he said.

"I thought it would be quite different if somebody new would take care of this."

Fukuda said his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) would hold an internal election to determine his successor. He did not call a general election, which does not need to be held for another year.

The likely front-runner to take over the post is Taro Aso, a former foreign minister who is known for being both more charismatic and more conservative than Fukuda.

Fukuda is known for his moderate policies including his efforts to repair historically uneasy relations with China. But he has openly admitted that he lacks charisma, and polls show voters faulting him for lacking leadership.

Fukuda said he made the decision in light of the tense situation in parliament. The opposition Democratic Party won control of one house last year and has aggressively fought Fukuda's agenda.

"The Democratic Party has tried to stall every bill so it has taken a long time to implement any policies. For the sake of the Japanese people, this should not be repeated," Fukuda said.

Fukuda's LDP has been in power for all but 10 months since its creation in 1955.

The opposition has vowed to wrest political control in the next election.

Earlier Monday, main opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa vowed to oust the LDP from government "as soon as possible."

Fukuda was bracing for another showdown with the opposition in parliament in the next session, which opens on September 12.

The opposition last year forced a brief halt to Japan's mission in the Indian Ocean supporting the US-led "war on terror" in Afghanistan.

Another fight is expected during this session over whether to extend the mission for another year.

Fukuda took office nearly a year ago in hopes of reviving the LDP, but he faced an uproar for introducing a hugely unpopular medical coverage plan that raises costs for many elderly people.

On Friday, he unveiled a 11.7-trillion-yen (107-billion-dollar) stimulus package, although some experts doubted it would give a long-term boost to the economy.

A poll out earlier Monday said that his government's approval rating had slumped nine points in the past month to 29 percent, erasing most of the bounce he received from reshuffling his cabinet a month ago.

The poll tipped Aso as the most popular candidate to replace Fukuda.

Tarique’s release likely today: SC rejects Govt, ACC’s bail stay plea

Tarique Rahman

Staff Reporter

The Supreme Court yesterday upheld the High Court order granting bail to BNP Senior Secretary General Tarique Rahman and rejected the Government prayer to stay his bail.

Chamber Judge Justice M Joynul Abedin of the Vacation Bench of the Supreme Court gave the order after hearing the appeal from Attorney General Salahuddin Ahmed in the morning.

"The Government is directed to file regular leave to appeal," the Judge said, referring to four cases filed by the Government.

He advised the Government and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to file review petitions against the standing Appellate Division judgment regarding bail on health grounds.

The rejection of appeal against High Court order filed by the Government and ACC removed all the obstacles to enlargement of Tarique Rahman, also the elder son of prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, on bail, according to his lawyers.

According to them Tarique Rahman is likely to be released sometime today, as they said all the legal hurdles have been removed following the Supreme Court order.

Emerging from the court, Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mian, a counsel for Tarique, told reporters that there is no more legal bar to the release of his client.

"Within 24 hours Tarique can walk to freedom," he said.

The Government, in a sudden move, submitted three more appeals to the Vacation Bench of the Supreme Court against bail orders for Tarique Rahman, in addition to appeals against three High Court bail orders on Sunday.

During the hearings, the Attorney General opposed Tarique's bail on health grounds, saying that the Government has been providing the ailing accused the best available treatment.

"Tarique enjoys the facility of the treatment he needs and is allowed to meet specialised physician according to his choice. So, he does not deserve bail for overseas treatment," the AG argued.

In throwing away the stay applications, Justice Abedin said, "I do not want to interfere into the High Court orders that granted bail to Tarique on health grounds on recommendation by the medical board."

He also observed that the High Court had granted Tarique bail "in the light of the Appellate Division's seven-point guidelines, which have become a law of the land."

Justice Abedin referred to the case of senior Awami League leader Mohammad Nasim and human rights activist Sigma Huda.

Reacting to the SC vacation court's order, AG Salahuddin termed it "disappointing".

Meanwhile, Nasir Uddin Ashim, another lawyer for Tarique, yesterday told reporters that Tarique Rahman was expected to be freed on Monday but his bail order has not reached the prison authority.

"We hope all the formalities in releasing Tarique Rahman will be completed by tonight (Monday night). He is expected to be freed by Tuesday (today) afternoon," he said.

Tarique Rahman, who is now under treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Hospital, obtained four months' bail from the High Court in 12 cases, including the Zia Orphanage Trust case, ill-gotten wealth and tax evasion.

The Appellate Division granted him bail in another case involving Tk 21-crore bribery over the murder of a director of Bashundhara Group.

Meanwhile, bail bonds for cases against Tarique Rahman were submitted yesterday before the courts of Assistant CMM Golam Rabbani and Metropolitan Magistrate Md Moazzam Hossain.

Tarique was arrested on March 7 last year by the army-led joint forces during a drive against corruption after the 11/1 changeover.

BNP anniversary observed: Dialogue, polls if Khaleda is released

BNP leaders led by its Secretary General Khandker
Delwar Hossain placing wreath at the mazar of Shaheed
President Ziaur Rahman marking the 30th founding anniversary
of the party on Monday. Banglar Chokh

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khandkar Delwar Hossain yesterday said BNP would join the meaningful dialogue and election after its chairperson Khaleda Zia is released.

He was addressing a discussion meeting marking the 30th founding anniversary of BNP at the Institute of Engineers yesterday afternoon.

Warning the caretaker government against transfer of power through the backdoor without holding election pledged in December next, Khandkar Delwar said, "Such attempt will be futile and the people will never accept power transfer through secret deal."

Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mojaheed, BNP standing committee members MK Anwar, Dr R A Gani, Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqi and M Shamsul Islam, BJP secretary general Shamim Al Mamun, IOJ secretary general Abdul Latif Nezami, Khelafat Majlis secretary general Ahmed Abdul Kader also addressed the discussion.

"The Government says, release of Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique is final. At the same time it opposed the bail to them. Playing such double standard is condemnable," he added.

Khandker alleged the Government did not move the higher court against the bail granted to its chosen persons. But it obstructed the legal process by challenging the bail in some cases, he said referring to the objection of bail to Tarique Zia.

Referring to the recent statements of Awami League leaders, Delwar said, "we welcomed the release of their leaders including Sheikh Hasina, Abdul Jalil and Nasim, but they are continuing making adverse comments against 4-party alliance and its leaders.

He urged the government to prepare for holding the election before the nation loses patience and burst in violence against the government.

Earlier in the morning, BNP began a three-day programme to mark its 30th founding anniversary by paying tribute to BNP founder and late president Ziaur Rahman at his grave.

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain led the tribute by placing floral wreaths around 11am at the gravesite at Zia Udyan in the city.

Parliament speaker Jamiruddin Sircar and deputy speaker Akhter Hamid placed wreaths at 9:50am.

BNP leaders Brig (retd) Hannan Shah and Goyeswar Chandra Roy visited the mazar separately.

They were followed by hundreds of party leaders and activists who queued up to pay homage. Special prayers were also offered at the grave for his salvation

However, the so-called reformist faction of the BNP was not seen around Zia's grave in the morning.

Police stood guard at and around the Zia Udyan and Crescent Lake road area on the occasion.

Later Delwar told the reporters, "BNP and the four-party alliance want the emergency lifted and then the national polls first. I hope people will make us victorious once we run the polls with Khaleda Zia leading us."

Delwar called for speedy release of Khaleda and sending her ailing elder son Tarique Rahman abroad for treatment.

Replying to a query relating to Tarique's bail, Delwar said, "Appeals can always be filed challenging the High Court orders, but we'll expect that such appeals won't pose any hindrance to justice dispensation."

BGMEA starts food ration: Govt blamed for recent unrest in factories

Staff Reporter

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) will provide food ration to the workers of the garment industries from the first Ramzan.

"The rationing system will continue throughout the holy month. We will try to fulfil the requirement whatever the volume is," BGMEA president Anwar Ul Chowdhury (Parvez) told reporters at a press briefing yesterday at his office.

He said each garment factory worker would get 3.7 kg of rice at Tk 100, 500 gm of lentil at Tk 40 and 400 gm of chickpea at Tk 20. Only ID card holders would get the benefit once a week from 11:00am to 4:00pm.

The three items will be distributed from 11 centres, nine in Dhaka and two in Chittagong.

The centres in Dhaka are Malibagh Health Centre (Saturday to

Thursday), Narayanganj Health Centre (Wednesday to Friday), Postgola

Health Centre (Saturday to Thursday), Mirpur Health Centre (Tuesday to Thursday), Mohammadpur Health Centre (Saturday to Monday), Gulshan

Health Centre (Sunday to Friday), Uttara Health Centre (Monday to Wednesday), Dilon Tower, Gazipur road crossings (Saturday to Monday) and Konabari Health Centre (Saturday to Monday).

The rationing of the essentials is to help ease the burden of soaring commodity price to the poor low paid garment workers. At the press conference the BGMEA president blamed the Government for the recent unrest in the garment sector, as the Government is "reluctant" to bring the anarchists to book.

"So far, no step has been taken from the Government side to punish the offenders and even there is no press note in this regard," Parvez said.

The president of the apex garment body said these days doing business has become tougher due to the deteriorating law and order situation.

"If such anarchic situation is allowed to go on, I fear, many factories might not be able to disburse the salaries of their workers before Eid," he apprehended.

About their postponed movement against the perpetrators of the unrest, he said, "Already, we have had meetings with the Home, Commerce and Labour Advisers' in this regard. But we will not give too much time, we might declare our programme next week," Parvez said.

He mentioned that the target of the recent unrest was the knitwear factories where the salaries are relatively higher. "Sweater factory owners are mentally ready to shut down their factories, if such activities continue to take place," the BGMEA president told journalists.

He said many factory owners told him to let the Government take over the factories and run those. "We are on the verge of ruining this robust sector," he said blaming the Government for its reluctance to protect it from the hands of unruly people.

"If a stable Government is the number one priority for a strong economy, then the growth of this sector is another priority for the country's economic growth," Parvez said.

Call to ensure nutrition for mother, children

Staff Reporter

About 65 children out of one thousand die every year and 26.4 percent are suffering from moderate malnutrition while 16.7 per cent severely, said speakers at a function yesterday.

They said that nearly 22 per cent children born with less weighted and ratio of providing breast-feeding to them up to six months is only 37 per cent.

Only 71 per cent mother in the urban areas and 46 per cent in the rural areas could get services from the trained health representatives, they added.

The above picture of the country's health scenario was revealed to the media yesterday while inaugurating the global campaign on 'Get on Track to Save Children's Lives' at the VIP lounge of the Jatiya Press Club.

Save the Children UK, Eminence, a non-government organisation and online newspaper 'The Editor' jointly organised the event.

About 15 countries of the world are now participating with the global campaign just prior to the start of the United Nations (UN) conference on Millennium Development Goal's (MDG's-4) which is scheduled to begin this month.

Suman Sengupta, Country Director, Save the Children Uk, Dr M Abdus Sabur, team leader of Programme Support Office (PSO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Maskwaith Ahsan, Chief Editor and Dr Shamim Hayder Talukder, Managing Director of The Editor among others spoke on the occasion.

The speakers underscored the need for creating mass awareness and putting pressure on the United Nations as well as the government with a view to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's-4) by ensuring the necessary health care services for the poor children.

They chalked out an elaborate programme that include to provide health care services to the marginalised children, ensure breast feeding for the children up to six months and sufficient nutrition for the pregnant mother.

AL demands nat’l polls in Nov

Staff Reporter

Awami Legaue (AL) Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday demanded holding of the parliamentary election in November as the process of drafting of voter list will be completed by September.

He urged the Government and the Election Commission (EC) to arrange upazila elections in December after the national election.

He was briefing the reporters after two days of hectic meeting of Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) at the party's Dhanmondi office, which was adjourned on Sunday.

"We demand immediate and unconditional release of party chief Sheikh Hasina and withdrawal of all the false and fabricated cases filed against her as well as other AL leaders before the national election," Ashraful said.

He expressed his party's firm stand to participate in the national election only under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina and boycott the election without her unconditional release.

Demanding the complete withdrawal of emergency before the national election he said, "the general election will not be acceptable to the people of the country as well as the international community under the state of emergency."

The Caretaker Government and the EC are obligated to arrange the national election as per the constitution of Bangladesh.

So AL would not accept any other election ahead of the national election, he streesed.

About the forthcoming dialogue with EC on September 4 he said, " We will place these demand to the CEC and his collogues."

Asked what is party's view about the performances of EC he said that the EC itself does not know what its key task is. Recent activities of EC are making the people confused about the national polls," he noted.

Ashraful also urged the government to take necessary steps to keep the prices of daily essentials under buying capacity of the people and to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity during the holy month of Ramazan.

The party will form a countrywide human chain soon demanding the unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina and lifting of all the cases filed against her, he informed.

Ramzan begins today

UNB, Dhaka

The holy month of Ramzan begins today as the devout Muslims are going to observe fasting from dawn to dusk seeking divine blessings.

Throughout this holy month, people belonging to the Muslim community will exercise self-restraint and sanctity, two core aspects of the Ramzan, through fasting.

The Muslim devotees will engage themselves in prayers, including tarabi (special prayers) at night.

The government has announced new office timings for the month of Ramzan in all government, semi-government and autonomous and semi-autonomous organisations.

President Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed greeted the countrymen on the eve of Ramzan. In his message, President Iajuddin said, "Ramzan is the month of self-purification, self-restraint and immense blessings. This month creates opportunity to get Allah's imminence and blessings and seek mercy and it eases the way of peace and welfare in social life."

In a separate message, Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said, "Ramzan gives us lessons to get united with the bond of fraternity and solidarity, and refrain from sinful acts and immoral practices."

"In this month there are unlimited blessings for emancipation and immeasurable welfare," he added.

All acquitted in Manjurul Imam murder case

Khulna Correspondent

A Speedy Tribunal Court in Khulna yesterday acquitted all the four accused in the sensational murder case of Advocate Manjurul Imam.

Judge Abdus Salam Sikder acquitted Ganesh, Sukur, Shahadat Hussain and Ripon of the charges of murder.

Former City Awami League President Manjurul Imam, his junior Advocate Bijon Bihary Mondol and rickshaw puller Saidul Islam Akand were killed in a bomb attack by unknown miscreants on August 25,2003.

Abdullah Al Mamun Zami, younger son of Manjurul , filed a case against unknown assailants at the Khulna sadar thana following day.

The DB Inspector Shajahan Haolader filed the first charge sheet against the four accused.

The family members of Manjurul Imam lodged objection to the court on that charge sheet. The court rejected the prayer.

The speedy tribunal returned the case to DB for more investigation on August 26, 2007. On January 24, 2007, DB Inspector Akram Hussain Mondol again submitted the charge sheet against the same four persons.

The elder son of the deceased Abdullah Harun Rumi in his witness to the tribunal on February 25 last year said secretary of district Awami League and former whip Mostafa Rashidi Suja his brother Moazzem Rasjidi Doza, city secretary Mizanur Rahman Mizan, former Mayor Kazi Aminul Hoq and ward commissioner Imam Hussain Choudhury Moyan were involved in the murder.

But the police did not find them involved in the case.

The court examined 44 out of 63. Public Prosecutor (PP) Abu Zafar pleaded for the state. Family members expressed dissatisfaction over the verdict.

Ex-MPs Forum meet: No credible parliament in 37 years

Staff Reporter

Former vice chancellor of Dhaka University (DU), Prof Emajuddin Ahmed said the present Government should begin discussion with the leading political parties for holding a free, fair and credible parliamentary election.

The Former Members of Parliament Forum organised the discussion on Terrorism, Corruption and Criminalisation of Politics: Bangladesh Today and Tomorrow, at the Dhaka Reporters Unity VIP lounge.

Prof Emajuddin said, "We have been enjoying independence for the last 37 years, but we are yet to get a credible parliament."

He said, "Terrorism and corruption are only the symptoms of the sickness not sickness itself, so we can easily remove these by establishing legal rights in the society.

In the past governments destroyed all institutions, including the judiciary, Anti Corruption Commission, Election Commission, Public Service Commission (PSC) even the administration by appointing party workers, he added.

In future the elected government should try to establish understanding between the two major parties, Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist (BNP) party.

He said the involvement of the high-level government functionaries and elected representatives were found in most of the major corruptions committed in the country. So, now they should commit to the nation that they would shun corruption.

Former Secretary Syed Mugrub Morshed, Dr Mahbubullah, Ariful Haq, Dr Ulfath Rana and at least 18 former Members of the Parliaments (MP) were present.