The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The second phase of government talks with Awami League and BNP ended yesterday without specific decisions on their demands, particularly on unconditional release of their leaders, Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia and their participation in the forthcoming elections.

However, government spokesman Adviser for Commerce Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters that the highest security would be provided to two former prime ministers.

On emergency, the Adviser said the government would relax and repeal the emergency rules in phases in the quickest possible time to ensure safety and security of voters so that they can cast their votes freely in a peaceful atmosphere during the forthcoming polls.

"The government does not have intransigent attitude about the lifting of the state of emergency. We need to ensure safety of voters so they can vote freely and enthusiastically," he said while briefing reporters following the two-and-a-half-hour-long talks with the BNP.

He said that there are no obstacles for Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia in leading their respective party.

"Presence of both the leaders (Hasina and Khaleda) in politics has been ensured.

But the legal matters will be resolved through legal process," he added.

On the outcome of the dialogue, the Adviser said by participating in the talks, he said, "We all are on the electoral highway. We are now heading for the polls fast."

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed led the Government side while Adviser for Communications Ghulam Quader, Adviser for Law AF Hassan Ariff, Adviser for Foreign Affairs Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Adviser for LGRD Anwarul Iqbal and Adviser for Commerce Hossain Zillur Rahman were present.

During the three-hour long dialogue, the 8-member Awami League delegation led by its Acting President Zillur Rahman put forward a nine-point charter of demands while the 13-member BNP delegation led by its Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain placed their seven point demands.

Briefing reporters following the talks, AL Acting Secretary General Syed Ashraful Islam said decisions have come on some issues and some other issues remained still undecided.

He, however hoped that the undecided decisions would be taken in consideration within an expected time before the polls.

Dr Hossain Zillur said the dialogue with political parties was almost concluded, he said, "We are now discussing some very specific issues. These issues will be resolved through discussion."

The post-electoral scenario also came up for discussion, Hossain Zillur said, adding that they talked about how to keep the situation stable.

He said the AL demanded a gap between the national and upazila polls. "We placed some logic for holding the upazila polls immediately, as the grass-roots people are eager sfor upazila polls."

The adviser also hoped a resolution over redrawing of parliament constituencies would be reached soon.

Following the AL's demand for formulating an objective policy and code of conduct for all government and non-government media to ensure their neutral role during the polls, the adviser said, "We will sit with the representatives of mass media to work out a solution on the matter."

Syed Ashraful Islam said, " We talked about a number of crucial issues including unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina and her security."

AL also told the government that the provision that bill defaulters will not be eligible for the coming polls should be done away with.

AL acting president Zillur Rahman, presidium members Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Motia Chowdhury and Syed Ashraful Islam were in the AL team.

The meeting began at 2.30pm and continued till 5:30 pm at the Chief Adviser's office.

He said they reached a consensus on six points out of seven raised by the immediate-past ruling party, BNP, during the dialogue.

The two sides could not agree on deferment of the dates for the Upazila elections, which he said needs more discussions. "We've raised logic that the Upazila elections could be held on the announced dates," he said.

Regarding the delimitation of the constituencies, he said it is now pending with the court. The government will provide top security to BNP hairperson Khaleda Zia and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina- two former prime ministers.

Reaffirming government position that the general election will be held on December 18, the adviser said, "We will have to work together so the elections in no way could be questioned."

Asked whether the two leaders will be able to take part in the elections, Zillur avoided a straight answer and said they would lead their parties and conduct political activities. "This will have a logical conclusion within the framework of law."

On government holiday and observance of May 30 and November 7 at state level-a strong plea from the BNP side--the Adviser said they would try to come to a permanent solution about these days mingled with emotions.

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain told reporters that they reached consensus in principle on six points and hoped that the dates of the upazila polls would be deferred to a reasonable time.

"We've seen positive attitude of the government and we hope the government further expand this attitude," he said, adding that BNP will participate in the elections on December 18 in a congenial

atmosphere without the state of emergency.

"We want total withdrawal of the state of emergency," he asserted on this sticking point raised by both the former ruling parties.

The BNP delegation included Khandaker Delwar Hossain, M Saifur Rahman, Dr RA Gani, Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui, M Shamsul Islam, MK Anwar, T H Khan, Khandaker Mahbub Uddin, Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman, Sarwari Rahman, Brig (retd) Hannan Shah and Gaeyswar Chandra Roy.