The New Nation - Internet Edition

For Obama, now comes the hard part

US President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle
(2nd L) stand with Vice President-elect Joe Biden (R) and
wife Jill (2nd R) waving to supporters during their election
night rally after being declared the winners of US
Presidential election at Grant Pa

AP, Washington

Audacity won. Now Barack Obama must validate the hope and deliver the change he promised.

He's already changed America by becoming the first black man to win the White House. His challenge is to change the course of its government and guide it through hard times and past the financial crisis he inherits as he takes office.

"The Audacity of Hope," the title of his book, could also have been the title of his campaign. It certainly was audacious for a fledgling senator from Illinois to run for president, challenging conventional Democratic wisdom and a field of rivals dominated by the supposedly unstoppable Sen. Hillary Clinton. He stopped her with an incredible campaign built from the ground up, raised more money than any presidential candidate in history - about $700 million over two years - and beat veteran Republican Sen. John McCain in an electoral college landslide.

Obama is the first Democrat in 32 years to win election with a popular vote majority, and Jimmy Carter barely got past 50 percent in 1976. Obama gained 52.3 percent to 46.5 percent with 94 percent of all U.S. precincts tallied. In electoral votes, at 5 a.m. in the East, it wasn't even close - 349 to 147.

At 47, after a scant four years as a senator, Obama overcame the inexperience argument and a barrage of McCain attack ads. Obama drew remarkable crowds as a campaigner, and 125,000 jammed into Chicago's Grant Park on election night, not only to rejoice in victory, he said, but to join in facing the rigors ahead.

"Even as we celebrate tonight, we know that the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest in our lifetime," Obama said. "Two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century."

While the campaigning Obama hewed to his hope and change theme start to finish, with detours to take the offensive amid the GOP attacks, McCain tried an assortment of messages before settling in the closing days on his own claim to be an agent of change, and his assertion that the Democrat was a tax-and-spend socialist.

It didn't work. "I don't know - I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election," McCain said in Phoenix, after calling Obama with his congratulations. He did more, commending Obama for "inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans," saying he had achieved a great thing for himself and his country.

President tells CU convocation: Help make next polls free, meaningful

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed addressing the 3rd
convocation of Chittagong University on Wednesday. PID
photo

Chittagong Correspondent

President and Chancellor of the universities Professor Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday sought cooperation from all quarters for holding the December 18 parliamentary elections freely and fairly.

"The nation is now ready for the election and the government has been working hard to make the upcoming elections free, fair and credible," he noted.

The president was delivering his speech at the 3rd convocation of the Chittagong University at university play ground.

Recalling the roles of universities in nation building, he emphasized the need for maintaining congenial academic atmosphere at the educational institutions with highest priority.

"Universities are the breeding grounds of intellectuality, research, creativity and knowledge sharing. Center of excellences in one hand contain the ideals and values of the society and addresses the hopes and aspirations of any nation on the other," he noted.

He hoped that the Chittagong University in the light of its old tradition would continue to play due roles in the field of research and knowledge transfer.

The president counselled the university faculties not to behave like the officials of ordinary organisations, but the missionaries of knowledge, spirit and beauty. "You're the mentors of the scholars who become the leader of the society and you're also to guide the nation in the darkness," he observed.

He greeted the graduates who received certificates and hoped that they would engage themselves in the welfare of the nation and the mankind as a whole in the line and light of lesson and knowledge acquired from the university.

He asked the graduates not to let their achievements become 'certificate only' event but to make it meaningful for advancement in their respective fields.

The President assured to ask the ministries and departments concerned to address the problems of the university within quickest possible time.

Earlier, he opened the convocation and conferred certificates of three Doctors of Philosophy (Ph.D.), eight Masters of Philosophy (M. Phil), 608 postgraduates, 248 graduates, a Master of Science (M. Sc.) in medicine and Chancellor gold medals to five scholars.

Eminent scientist and Professor Emeritus Dr. Jamal Nazrul Islam, who delivered the convocation speech, also received complimentary Doctor of Science (D.Sc) degree.

Education and Commerce Adviser Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman addressed the function as special guest while Vice-Chancellor Professor M Badiul Alam made deliberation highlighting prospect and problems of the university.

Zillur said that the country's education system had been operating with many hindrances in it and it was the high time to address the barriers for the welfare of the nation.

He put emphasis on learning ethics together with the applied subjects what had long been absent in the country's education system.

Professor Emeritus Dr. Jamal Nazrul Islam said that qualitative delivery of education had mostly been dependent on qualified and able faculties. He, therefore, suggested total overhauling of the existing teacher hiring system and demanded new recruitment system where only the qualified people would get the entry.

Obama wins in Mock polling in Dhaka

Staff Reporter

Senator Barack Obama yesterday recorded an overwhelming victory also in a mock US presidential election in Dhaka. Out of a total of 236 votes cast at an election monitoring centre yesterday Obama secured 228 votes while his rival Senator John McCain got only 8 votes.

The mock polling was held at an Election Gala Open House organised by the United States Embassy in Dhaka at Westin Hotel in the city from 6:00am to 12noon.

Political leaders, business leaders, senior members of media, civil society members and members of the foreign diplomatic corps were among those who cast votes at the function.

The results of the US presidential election and speeches of president elect Obama and his rival McCain were shown on big screens at the function.

US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty, his spouse Lauren Moriarty and colleagues exchanged greetings with the guests.

Decision on gas price hike this month

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) may announce its decision by mid November about the enhancement of natural gas price.

BERC sources said they are examining the proposal of state-owned Petrobangla for raising the gas price by 65 percent on an average and also the opposite view expressed by other stakeholders and consumers.

EC code of conduct for mass media on Nov-11

BSS, Dhaka

The Election Commission (EC) will finalise the code of conduct for the mass media and send it to respective media houses on November 11 to ensure an objective coverage of the upcoming elections.

Joint secretary of the EC NI Khan yesterday said this while speaking at a workshop for journalists on 'Developing Code of Conduct for Mass Media in Election Coverage.

Bangladesh Election Commission and United Nations Education, Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) jointly organized the Workshop in the conference room of PIB here.

Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Head of News of ATN Bangla, moderated the workshop, while Shamim Ahsan of the UNESCO gave the welcome speech. The workshop dealt with the draft on code of conduct being developed by the EC in cooperation with the UNESCO.

NI khan said the country’s mass media follow some codes of conduct devised on the basis of professional ethics and particular media houses have their own guidelines, but the country does not have any uniform codes in this regard to follow.

Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul described the draft codes of conduct as a guideline for the media professionals and said this will help journalists to perform their duties in an efficient manner.

UNESCO sources said after broad-based consultations with political parties and the media, the draft will be submitted to the EC for finalization.

Saifur, Mujahid asked to appear in trial court by Nov 10

BSS, Dhaka

The High Court on Wednesday asked former finance minister Saifur Rahman and former social welfare minister Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid to appear before the trial court to seek bail in Barapukuria coal mine graft case.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Md Mujammel Hossain and Justice Afzal Hossain Ahmed asked BNP Standing Committee member Saifur and Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mujahid to surrender before the trial court by November 10.

The court also set November 11 to hear their petitions seeking quashment of the charges brought against them, court officials said.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lodged the case with Shahbagh thana on February 26 against 16 persons including former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Nine former ministers of her cabinet and a state minister and five others were also accused in the case.

They were accused of awarding the contract for production, management and maintenance work of Barapukuria coal mine in connivance with each other to China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation ignoring the legal procedure. The deal caused a loss of Taka 158.71 crore to the state.

The ACC submitted chargesheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court of Dhaka on October 5 against the 16 persons, who were accused in the FIR.

Call to activate SAARC food bank

UNB, Dhaka

Campaigners for a new South Asia said the SAARC must immediately operationalize the regional food bank and devise concrete plan of action for sustainable agriculture to ensure food security of more than 500 million hardcore poor.

A large number of civil-society organizations working in a network under the banner 'Imagine a New South Asia (INSA)' made the call Tuesday. Actionaid provides strategic support to INSA in realizing the group's vision.

Their joint call, released simultaneously across the region on the eve of SAARC Agriculture Ministers' conference in New Delhi, warned if concrete actions were not taken to address the food-security issue at this meeting, the number of hungry people in the region would go up to 588 million by 2009.

Dr Qazi Kholiquzzam Ahmad, chairperson of INSA Steering Committee and President of Bangladesh Economic Association, said the ministers should come up with institutional arrangements to address the estimated food demands of the people and rationalize storage capacity of the member-states.

"The terms and conditions for withdrawing from the food bank and meeting the replenishment requirements of the bank should not be tough and should be handled keeping in view the national capacity of the member-states," he said.

The Civil Society in South Asia called upon the ministers, meeting in the Indian capital Thursday, to promote intra-regional trade in farm products by delisting some of the farm products from the negative list under the Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area in a phase-wise manner or on a trial basis.

In this regard, they also made a strong plea for removing para-tariff and non-tariff barriers to agriculture trade.

It is also essential to strengthen the procurement mechanism required for the effective operationalization of the SAARC Food Bank, they said.

Low quality teachers, poor pay scale affect primary education

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a dialogue yesterday said the disparity in the education system, enrolment of low quality teachers in primary schools, poor wage scale and lack of proper environment in the educational institutions are the main hindrance for achieving quality education in

the country.

They made their remark at a dialogue on "Achieving Universal Primary Education with Quality and Equity". The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and the Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) jointly organised the dialogue at the BRAC Centre Inn Auditorium. Primary and Mass Education Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury was present at the dialogue as chief guest while Badrul Alam Tarafdar, Secretary of the Ministry of the Primary and Mass Education was attended as special guest. Prof Rehman Sobhan, Chairman of CPD chaired the roundtable. Besides, Dr Mahbub Hossain, Executive Director of BRAC and Dr Manzoor Ahmed, senior Adviser of BRAC University presented two separate papers.

Former Vice Chancellor of the Jahangirnagar University (JU) Prof Kazi Saleh Ahmed said the government had created disparity in the education system by permitting 10 to 11 types of educational systems in the country's primary education level.

"Difference type of primary education has been hampering quality education," he said, adding, "Government intervention is a must to ensure quality education."

Prof Kazi Shaif Ahmed of JU said people of the country have expressed their doubt on ability to non-government agencies to expand primary education in the country.

"The government must be taken responsibility to ensure primary education to all by the consent of pundits in this fields," he said.

SM Asadullah, a leader of primary school association alleged, that the government did not take initiative to identify problems in primary education system.

"Teachers of the primary schools have been engaged in preparing voter lists and other government activities during schedule classes of school. So, how can they instruct their students," he pointed out.

"We have spent 50 per cent of our working hours in non-educational purposes," he added.

Former Education Minister Sheikh Shahidul Islam said, that the government must ensure compulsory primary education.

Primary and Mass Education Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury said she would have taken initiative to solve the problem in the primary education system.

Dr Mahbub Hossain in his paper said 80 per cent of the boys and 87 per cent of girls aged between 6 to 17 attended schools in 2008. It was 63 per cent and 51 per cent in 1988, he informed.

Among the drop out from primary school are students of landless, poor and illiterate parents, he said.

BATEXPO-08 begins today: Democrats’ victory may affects RMG export

Staff Reporter

The victory of democrat Barack Obama and his party colleagues at US have diminished the hope of Bangladeshi apparel exporters of getting duty-free access to the US market.

Democrats are protectionists in terms of the interests of US labours, who were opposing the Bangladesh's efforts to pass a bill in the US congress offering duty-free access of the products of least developed countries including Bangladesh.

However, this protectionism will help Bangladesh in another way, as the country will not easily lift restrictions on import of Chinese products, Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez said yesterday.

"Bangladesh by this time has earned global reputation for quality products in garments and knitwear. So we don't fear to lose the market," he also said.

The president was speaking at a press conference on the eve of BATEXPO-2008, the largest clothing exposition in the Asia-Pacific region.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed is likely to inaugurate the three-day apparel exposition at Sonargaon Hotel today. Chief of Army Staff Gen Moeen U Ahmed would attend the closing ceremony as chief guest on Saturday.

The BGMEA leader unveiled an ambitious export target of US $25 billion and an additional 2 million jobs in next five years, keeping well in mind the impacts of possible long-term recession following the recent global financial crisis.

He said the readymade garment (RMG) exports rose to US$ 10.7 billion in the last fiscal year and the first month of the present fiscal recorded a 71 percent growth, which he said is not only impressive but also reflects the industry's strength and capability.

The BGMEA chief, however, did not rule out any adverse impact of a possible longer recession due to the global economic recession and urged government policymakers to evolve immediate action plan to face the future challenges.

He said the BGMEA is making relentless effort to promote the market of the garment industry.

"We have proved ourselves as a strong player in the apparel sector so far and have been branded among the best competitive RMG producers," Anwar told the reporters.

He said it would now be very hard to get duty-free access to the US market but export to the market would not be affected unless the quota restriction on China is withdrawn.

"We are competing on the US market with our current status; it will be very much helpful for us if we get the duty-free access. But the present scenarios are indicating that the duty-free access to the US market will be very hard," he said

Bangladesh is the fourth-biggest RMG exporter to the US market.

Commenting on the current worldwide recession, Anwar said this downturn created both risk and opportunity for them.

"We have to go ahead utilizing the opportunity of the recession," he said, because overseas buyers would now look for cheaper products of better quality.

A total of 67 organizations from India, Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh will showcase their products in the BATEXPO in 82 stalls.

BATEXPO, will enable foreign buyers and their representatives to see Bangladeshi textiles, clothing and accessories.

A total of 67 organizations from India, Hong Kong, Thailand, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh will showcase their products in the BATEXPO in 82 stalls.

Foreign-funded: NGO to be registered as political party

Staff Reporter

Proshika, a foreign funded NGO, is going to be registered as a political party by the Election Commission (EC) under its disguised name Oikyaboddho Nagorik Andolon.

The NGO, led by its boss Quazi Farrok Ahmed, allegedly had been involved in creating social unrest in the country by intruding into highly confrontational political affairs and now has taken a move to embark in politics openly.

Few days ago, Quazi Faruk floated a party and forthwith applied to the EC for registration. By misusing huge foreign funds, the NGO chief is hurriedly hiring party offices at different places of the country to fulfil the criterion for registration with the EC, it is alleged.

The employees of the NGO are being forced to join the newly floated party. A number of employees of Proshika told this correspondent that they had no other options but to join the party to continue their jobs.

The Commission has almost finalised the process of registration of Oikyaboddho Nagorik Andolon and it will get the certificate soon, deputy secretary of the EC's scrutiny committee Jasmine Tuli told the New Nation yesterday.

However, some Islamist political parties have hinted that they will challenge the registration of the NGO as a political party and will also go to court, if necessary.

Abdul Latif Nizami, Secretary General of Islami Oikkya Jote said, that it was unfair to register it as a party. Quazi Faruq should leave the NGO if he wants to do politics.

"People will not accept unfair means in registering parties or in doing politics," he added.

BNP to observe November 7

Staff Reporter

BNP and other political parties will observe the historic ' National Revolution and solidarity Day' on November 7 across the country tomorrow in a befitting manner.

BNP has chalked out an elaborate programme to observe the day in a befitting manner.

To mark the day following programme has been taken, hoisting of party flag at 6:00 at the party's central office, offering fateha and placing wreaths at the mazar of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman by BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia along with party leaders and activists at 6:30 am and a discussion meeting will be held at 3:00 pm at the auditorium of Engineers Institute in the city.

Khandker Delwar Hossain, Secretary General of BNP called upon all district, upazila and Union level committees to observe the day.

Hasina cleared in Noor Ali case

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was cleared of all charges in an extortion case filed by businessman Noor Ali, as police submitted a final report yesterday.

Tejgaon police officer-in-charge Lutfur Rahman submitted the report to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, which found no proof of allegations against Hasina, her cousin Sheikh Helal and his wife Rupa Chowdhury.

Noor Ali, an AL candidate for the later-cancelled Jan 22 2007 election, had filed the Tk 5 crore extortion case with Tejgaon police on Jun 13 last year against the three.

Lutfur Rahman took over the investigation of the case, after the previous investigation officer was transferred.

The case details said Noor Ali handed the money-in twelve instalments by cheque-to Hasina when she was prime minister in exchange for his company Fortune Limited to set up thee power plants in Naryanganj, Chittagong and Khulna.

Noor Ali also alleged Sheikh Helaluddin demanded Tk 1 crore or a flat worth Tk 1 crore for helping him get the permission. He said he handed over the documents of two flats of Borak Real Estate in Baridhara to Rupa Chowdhury.

Two more extortion cases have been filed against Sheikh Hasina-one by Azam Jahangir Chowdhury, managing director of Eastcoast Trading Limited and the other by businessman Tajul Islam Faruq.

Hasina is also facing a further three trials on corruption charges.

Army Hqs clarification about removal of 'baul' sculpture

UNB, Dhaka

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed got surprised to some newspaper reports and TV talk shows indicating his involvement in the recent demolition of the 'baul' sculpture from the intersection of Zia International Airport.

"A section of newspapers in their news items and talk shows of some television channels mentioned that the Army Chief had consent or direct support in removal of baul sculpture from

Zia International Airport Square. This information is not true," said an ISPR release yesterday During that time, the Chief of Army Staff was abroad on official visit. "On returning home, he became surprised to see the news item and watch talk show involving him in the incident of removal of baul sculpture," said the military press wing about the insinuation.

"He was not informed about the process of setting up or removal of baul sculpture at all, and he had no role about it," the ISPR release said.

It also noted that setting up or removal of baul sculpture is totally a matter of government or airport authority. "It is not a matter of Bangladesh Army."

All steps taken to hold Dec 18 polls

BSS, Dhaka

The Election Commission (EC) has undertaken necessary steps to hold the December 18 election in a completely free, fair and neutral manner with a view to making it credible.

The government, on request from the EC, has undertaken necessary measures to maintain law and order during the election, said a circular issued by the Cabinet Division yesterday.

It said officials and employees of all ministries and departments as well as government, semi- government, autonomous and semi-autonomous offices and organizations and, in some cases, private offices and organizations would be appointed as presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and polling officers to conduct the election activities properly.

Besides, a good number of teachers from government, and government assisted and private academic institutions could be given various duties during the election. Different educational institutions could be utilized as polling centers and their furniture could be used for polling purpose, the circular said.

Two Divisional Commissioners and 64 Deputy Commissioners have been appointed as returning officers. All officers at district, upazila and thana levels including all Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) have been appointed as assistant returning officers, it said.

“Cooperation of all officials is very much essential for holding the general election properly,” the circular said adding that all officials cooperated the EC by discharging their duties in the past.

The Cabinet Division yesterday issued a circular instructing all officials and employees engaged in conducting the elections to perform their tasks with honesty, sincerity and neutrality during the ninth parliamentary polls to be held on December 18.

The cabinet division also sought cooperation from all concerned for not to show any negligence to duty, an official handout said.

Hasina, Khaleda greet Obama

Staff Reporter

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday congratulated Barack Obama on his election victory as US president.

They believe that the existing bilateral friendly relations between Bangladesh and the US will be strengthened in the days to come.

In her message that was handed over to the US Embassy, Begum Zia said I on behalf of my party and myself would like to convey you warmest felicitations on your victory as the 44 th President of the United States of America.

She hopes that Obama would play a leading role in establishing world peace.

Sheikh Hasina has welcomed Barack Obama's historic victory in being elected as US president.

In her message to Obama Sheikh Hasina said she believes the newly elected US president will play a bold and effective role in establishing world peace.

"Obama's victory is the victory of democracy," Hasina said quoted her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad.