The New Nation - Internet Edition

Myanmar pulls back warships, stops exploration in Bay

Bangladesh Navy ship on patrol in the Bay of
Bengal.

Staff Reporter

Myanmar yesterday withdrew two warships from the Bay of Bengal after a four-day standoff with Bangladesh over mineral-rich waters, learnt to have been in mediation of China, informed sources said.

A high power Bangladeshi delegation led by foreign secretary Touhid Hossain now also in Myanmar to defuse the tension.

The tension between the two neighbouring countries began after Myanmar sent warships to support a Korean company drilling some 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Bangladesh's Saint Martin Island.

Bangladesh immediately deployed four warships in the area and warned it would take "all possible measures" to protect its sovereignty. "Myanmar has withdrawn two warships," a senior Bangladesh Naval officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP news agency.

"It's a positive response. There is now very little tension. The four other ships engaged there for exploration activities are also preparing to back out. Their drilling works have already been stopped," he said.

"We will also withdraw our vessels as soon as they remove drilling ships," he added.

According to a Myanmar government official, the Bangladeshi delegation now in the capital for talks with the Myanmar authority.

Myanmar has discovered huge reserves of natural gas in the Bay of Bengal and has made it clear it intends to explore further.

Bangladesh and Myanmar have held a series of meetings in the past year aimed at resolving the dispute over their maritime boundary.

Earlier, on late Wednesday Myanmar stopped oil and gas exploration in deep-sea blocks in disputed waters in the Bay of Bengal.

Bangladesh's Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury earlier said, the government would do everything needed to protect its sovereignty and rightful claims in the Bay of Bengal.

China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday urged both countries to take measures to resolve the dispute amicably.

"As a friend and neighbour of both countries, China hopes to play a role through appropriate means," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters at a regular briefing.

Myanmar on Tuesday said, it would go ahead with the exploration of the deep-sea blocks. Yangon summoned the Bangladesh ambassador on Sunday to complain after Dhaka sent navy ships to the area.

Technical delegations from both sides were scheduled to meet in Dhaka on November 16 and 17 to discuss maritime boundary demarcation.

JS polls must be held on scheduled date: Hasina: AL chief for national unity, conciliation, shunning vindictive politics

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina being escorted
by SSF members from Zia International Airport to her Sudha
Sadan residence at Dhanmondi on Thursday. NN photo

Staff Reporter

Former Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina yesterday said only a parliamentary government can save the country from the political and economical crisis confronting the country.

She at the same breath said the long awaited parliamentary polls must be held on December 18.

"The grand alliance will be formed ahead of the national election, but no anti-liberation elements, who are enemies of the people and the country will find place in such an alliance," she noted.

Hasina was to newsmen at the Zia International Airport's VIP lounge immediately on her return home after staying abroad for five months in connection with her treatment.

Sheikh Hasina said the national polls must be held on the scheduled date." No conspiracy can foil or defer it," she declared.

She made it clear that her party does not believe in the cult of violence. We believe in politics of peace. The country needs unity and reconciliation. We want to return the trust of the people by restoring democracy in the country," she said.

Referring to the present state of affairs, she pointed out that the country is now passing through hard time, people have been facing hardship and many are unemployed and unable to support themselves and their families.

Hasina called upon the people to hold patience to overcome the present hard time.

She expressed her gratitude to Allah for being able to come back to the countrymen.

In course of her talk with newsmen, she said was very hopeful to achieve victory in the upcoming national election.

"If voted to power, we will put prime emphasis on controlling the prices of all essential commodities," she said.

Terming poverty a key challenge to the nation, she said, we all have to work together to eliminate poverty from the country.

She said people have been passing their days in fear for the last two years of caretaker government and as they faced the same situation under the rule BNP-led alliance government.

She was happy to note that during the tenure of the AL government the people of the country had peace and security, food and job.

Asked about the possibility of her meeting with former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia o across the table for bringing about qualitative change in the country's politics, she parried the question and said, "We will do everything possible to salvage the nation,"

When questioned about BNP's threat to boycott the national elections, the AL chief raised a counter question, "why won't they take part?"

"It does not matter which party participates in the election or not. The major issue is whether the people will be able to cast their ballots properly or not," she observed.

Replying to another question on ratification of all positive reforms of the present caretaker government, she said, "The issue will have to be settled in parliament. Such ordinances must be transformed into law first. The public representatives will decide on that."

The AL chief thanked her party supporters, lawyers, journalists and other professionals for their support to her party.

Hasina, collected nomination form on behalf of the party chief for Gopalganj-3 constituency.

CA urges business leaders: Remain alert to maintain stable atmosphere

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed formally
inaugurating BATEXPO-2008 at Hotel Sonargaon on Thursday.
PID photo

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday, whose caretaker government heads for holding national elections next month, urged business leaders to act under any circumstances to maintain the present stable situation in the country for unimpeded business and production.

He specifically requested them to take effective initiatives so that mills and factories are not closed unnecessarily, production is not hampered and people's livelihood not disrupted.

"You have an important role in bringing qualitative changes in politics and economy. I hope you will carry out the responsibility properly," said the CA, whose interim regime launched painstaking reforms following the January 11, 2007 changeover prompted by apolitical crisis over election issues.

Dr Fakhruddin reminded his business audience that in the past, due to anarchic activities, often thousands of working hours were wasted as well as transportation of goods, operation of ports and export-import activities were hampered.

"In nearly last two years you have smoothly run trade and business and carried on production in mills and factories," he told the traders and industrialists present at the opening function of annual apparel show of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

The Chief Adviser inaugurated the three-day 19th BATEXPO 2008 arranged at Hotel Sonargaon with the slogan 'Endless Possibility' which brands an array of world-class wears of Bangladesh.

It was informed at the function that 76 percent of total export earnings of the country come from apparel exports. Presently, 25 lakh workers are directly employed in the readymade garment industry, 85 percent of them women. And 1.5 crore people are indirectly dependent on the apparel sector.

Referring to nearly 17 percent growth achieved in overall garment sector in the last fiscal, he said despite multifarious adversities on the world market, it was possible to achieve this growth due to a stable situation and environment of confidence prevailing in the country as well as all-out efforts of all.

He mentioned that, after few days, the much-desired general election would be held and said "it is the hope of us that the next elected government will not only keep up the present trend of trade but also take appropriate steps for its enhancement".

Because, he said, if industrialization and trade and commerce are not expanded in the country, economic growth would decline, employment opportunity would not be created and poverty alleviation would be hampered.

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam, Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, BGMEA president Anwarul Alam and BGMEA first vice-president MA Salam also spoke at the inaugural function.

Business leaders, garment industrialists, entrepreneurs, diplomats, buyers and senior government officials were among others present at the function.

The Chief Adviser distributed CSR award for 2008 among three garment business organizations in recognition of their social responsibility. The awardees are Anonto Garment, Babylon Group and Flamingo Fashion Ltd.

In his speech the CA said the country would have to go a long way in alleviation of poverty and improving people's living standard.

Attention will have to be given to increasing productivity. If productivity is increased, it would benefit workers as well as the owners, consumers and the country as a whole, he observed.

Appreciating various steps of the BGMEA and private sector for increasing productivity and training and other worker-welfare activities, the CA stressed government-private partnership for increasing productivity and grooming skilled manpower. He assured all-out support from government side.

On relation between owners and workers, Fakhruddin said industry gets benefited if good industrial relations prevail.

He told the function that he thought an increase in wages and allowances of garment workers is logical in the light of dearness allowance provided to government officials and employees from last July.

In this regard, he urged owners of industries to come forward and requested them to remain sincere so that workers can get their just wages and allowances and to bring into consideration facilities and inconveniences of workers.

Referring to global financial meltdown, Fakhruddin said it would pose both risk and possibilities-and the possibilities have to be netted.

The CA said Bangladesh must graduate to a middle-income-group country by 2020.

For economic prosperity and alleviating poverty not only garment industry but also setting up of more new industries are essential, he told the function and assured that the government would extend all kinds cooperation to entrepreneurs to this end.

Later, the Chief Adviser formally inaugurated the Readymade Garment Exposition at the hotel and went round some stalls.

Obama assembles White House team

BBC Online

Barack Obama has started forming his administration by asking Rahm Emanuel, a former adviser to President Clinton, to be his chief-of-staff.

US President-elect Obama is next expected to appoint a treasury secretary to tackle the country's economic crisis.

He has until his inauguration on 20 January to select his senior officials.

Obama was elected the first black US president on Tuesday with a resounding win over Republican rival John McCain.

Obama's transition team is to be run by John Podesta, a former chief-of-staff to President Bill Clinton; Pete Rouse, who was Mr Obama's Senate chief-of-staff; and close friend Valerie Jarrett.

No briefings or announcements are expected on Thursday, but Obama's staff said that he would address the media by the end of the week.

Emanuel is an Illinois congressman and tough Washington insider who has been strongly criticised by some Republicans for being too partisan, says the BBC's Jane O'Brien in Washington.

Although he has not formally accepted the job yet, if he does become chief-of-staff, he would be responsible for much of the internal management of the new administration.

9 Dec : Deadline for states to resolve issues such as recounts or challenges

15 Dec : Electoral college electors meet in each state to formally cast their votes

6 Jan : Joint session of Congress to count electoral college votes

Before 20 Jan : Barack Obama and Joe Biden must resign from the Senate

20 Jan : Inauguration day

But critics say his appointment could accentuate party divides, rather than heal them, as Obama has pledged to do.

With the country in the throes of an economic slowdown and part of the global financial crisis, the post of treasury secretary will be a key post.

Likely contenders reportedly include former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and Timothy Geithner, the current head of the New York Federal Reserve.

Current Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has pledged to work with Obama to ensure a smooth transition, and is said to have already set up desks and telephone lines at the department where Mr Obama's incoming team can work between now and the inauguration.

There has been speculation Mr Obama will ask Defence Secretary Robert Gates to remain in his post.

Gates is broadly respected by both parties and would reflect a more bipartisan administration, our correspondent says.

With the business of preparing for government under way, Obama will from Thursday start receiving the president's daily CIA briefings, which will include updates on covert operations.

In another sign of the changing of the guard, Michelle Obama spoke by telephone with First Lady Laura Bush, who invited her to visit the White House.

Projected results from Tuesday's election have yet to be announced for the states of North Carolina and Missouri, which are believed to be too close to call.

But with most precincts tallied, Mr Obama's share of the popular vote stands at 52.4%, compared with Mr McCain's 46.3%.

Turnout was reported to be extremely high - in some places "unprecedented" in what many Americans said they felt was a historic election.

The entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats were also contested in Tuesday's elections.

The Democrats increased their Senate majority by five seats to 56, including two independents, but fell short of the 60 needed to stop blocking tactics by Republicans. A further four seats are too close to call.

The Democrats also increased their majority in the House of Representatives, gaining 19 seats to give a total 254, leaving the Republicans with 173.

BNP observes Revolution, Solidarity Day today: Khaleda to address rally in Ctg

Staff Reporter

The National Revolution and Solidarity Day will be observed today (Friday) commemorating the 1975 uprising staged by people and soldiers amid a topsy-turvy in the country's political arena.

On this day in 1975, people and soldiers (sipahi-janata) had foiled a "conspiracy" against the national independence and sovereignty and freed the then chief of army staff, Ziaur Rahman, from captivity in Dhaka Cantonment.

Different political and socio-cultural organisations, including BNP and its associate organizations, chalked out elaborate programmes, including milad and doa mahfil, placing wreaths and offering fateha at the mazar of Shaheed president Ziaur Rahman and holding of public meeting.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) will also observe the day as the day of civil-military revolution.

As part of the programme, BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia is expected to place wreath at the mazar of Shaheed president Ziaur Rahman and offer fateha in the morning.

In he afternoon, Begum Zia is scheduled to address a public meeting, for the first time after her release from jail, at the historic Laldighi Maidan at 3:30pm to mark the day.

Senior party leaders are expected to attend the function.

Meanwhile, in a message, the former prime minister called upon all to build national unity for safeguarding the country's sovereignty and democracy being imbibed by the spirit of November 7.

Terming 7th November as an extraordinary day in national life, she said, on this day in 1975, country's patriotic army and the general people together had thwarted the conspiracy hatched by

hegemonic forces. "Our independence was saved and sovereignty remained intact," she said.

Begum Zia said, Ziaur Rahman made his debut in the country's political scene on the historic day. "He took over the charge of running the country under special circumstances following the `sipahi-janata' joint revolution."

She said, November 7 heralded a new era in the nation's history. Multi-party democracy was restored after abolition of one-party autocratic rule due to the success of November 7 Revolution. Not only that, the foundation of nationalistic politics was also laid down in the country on this day.

The BNP chairperson eulogized the historic November 7, saying that the day is regarded by the masses as an auspicious day.

She lamented that the conspiracy, which was foiled by the joint initiative of heroic `sipahi-janata' in 1975, is yet to end. "That conspiracy is still going on in new perspective and new dimension."

The former Prime Minister alleged that the expansionist forces and their local agents were still active to make the country weak and dependent on others. "They are active to implement their blue-print by jeopardizing our democracy… using various techniques to establish their stooges in the country by destroying the nationalistic patriotic forces," she said.

Begum Zia called upon the people to remain alert about such conspiracy and to forge fresh resistance against the evil forces in the same manner as on November 7 in 1975.

During the BNP rule, November 7 was observed as public holiday commemorating the 1975 uprising of the people and soldiers. However, the present caretaker government last year cancelled the public holiday on November 7.

The JSD will hold a discussion meeting at its party office in the city at 4:00pm to mark the day.

ACC finds no illegal wealth of Khaleda, Hasina

Staff Reporter

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday relieved former Prime Ministers Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina of the charges of acquiring illegal wealth or concealing information about their assets in wealth statements.

At a regular briefing Director General of the ACC Colonel Hanif Iqbal told journalists that the ACC has accepted and filed the report of the enquiry officers that the allegation against Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia of acquiring illegal wealth was not found true.

The commission served notices on Begum Zia and Sheikh Hasina following allegations against them of amassing wealth beyond their known income, said the Director General.

The ACC on July 17, 2007 served notices on the top leaders of the two major political parties of the country asking them to submit their wealth statements to the commission.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on August 5, 2007 submitted the accounts of her total moveable and immovable assets worth about Taka 3.54 crore to the ACC.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the legality of the ACC notice. Later, following a Supreme Court order she submitted her statement to the ACC on September 3, 2007 giving accounts of her wealth of around Taka 3.50 crore.

The commission assigned two deputy directors to verify the wealth statements of the two former Prime Ministers and they submitted their reports to the commission last month.

Hanif Iqbal also said, the ACC has decided to forward the allegation of corruption against its Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury to the government for proper disposal.

Mahmudur Rahman, Chairman of Amar Desh Publication Ltd, raised the allegation that Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury while serving as the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Trust Bank Ltd misappropriated over Taka 22.41 crore.

Col Hanif said, "We have received the complaint of Mahmudur Rahman on October 29, 2008, and as per rule it has been placed before the two other commissioners after necessary scrutiny."

The ACC has decided to forward the allegation to the government for disposal as per section 36 of the ACC Act-2004, the DG said.

City commuters suffer due to traffic jam

Commuters remained stranded for several hours in the
city yesterday due to traffic congestion. NN photo

Staff Reporter

Zia International Airport to Dhanmondi yesterday morning turned into a human sea as thousands of Awami League supporters and party workers came out on the streets between the two places to welcome Awami League president Sheikh Hasina when returned home after staying abroad for five months in connection with her treatment.

A large number of commuters had to face serious difficulties to go their working places due to heavy traffic congestion for four and a half hours from Gazipur to entire Dhanmondi area.

Party leaders, activists and people stood on both sides of the roads from the airport to Hasina's Dhanmondi "Sudha Sadan" with festoons, banners and the national and party flags to greet her. They raised full-throated slogans when Hasina's motorcade passed by them.

The huge gathering at the airport included hundreds of party leaders at the grassroots level who are seeking nomination to contest the upcoming parliamentary polls.

Md Kamal, who is an activist of Jobo League of Tongi Thana, said, he came to the Zia International Airport only to have a glimpse of their beloved leader Seikh Hasina.

Md Zobair, an employee of a private firm, said that he had to walk for two hours from Tongi to Airport to catch a bus for going to his workplace. "At one stage I thought I would not be able to reach my office at all as movement to traffic virtually came to a standstill due to heavy rush of people," he noted.

The school and college going students also faced similar traffic jam at all places in and around the capital in connection with Hasina's return home. "My class started at 9.00am, but I could not go to my college even at 10.30am," a college student said on the road.

Melamine-tainted milk: HC asks Govt to submit test reports by Sunday

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday directed the government to produce by November 9 (Sunday) all the four sets of reports of laboratory test done at home and abroad on the eight brands of melamine-tainted powdered milk.

A division bench comprising Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Quamrul Islam Siddiqui passed the interim order following a supplementary application on the pending public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).

The government meanwhile obtained the test reports on the questionable eight brands from the Dhaka University, BSTI, Atomic Energy Commission and Bangkok. These are Yashili-1, Yashili-2 and Sweet Baby-2 of China, Diploma and Red Cow of Australia, Dano of Denmark, and Nido and Anlene of New Zealand.

Moving the supplementary application, Manzill Murshid, the counsel for the HRPB, submitted that the chairman of the department of chemistry, Dhaka University, had disclosed that toxic melamine was found in seven of the brands as per the laboratory test report in Thailand, but the government kept mum about this. Earlier the Atomic Energy Commission also submitted an identical report, he said.

The counsel told the court that the government actions appeared to hide something, as it tends to take decisions on the issue bypassing the opinion of the expert committee.

Moreover, he said, the reports were not made available to the media and as a result, the whole matter is shrouded in mystery.

However, lawyers for the suspected Dano, Red Cow and Nido, who were allowed to become additional party in the writ, submitted before the court that the laboratory test reports found melamine in only three brands of powdered milk.

They said the embargo on the other suspected brands - Dano, Red Cow and Nido - should be lifted as the children were being made to suffer in the absence of their sale and the businessmen incurring lossess due to the embargo on their sale, display and marketing.

Former attorney general Mahmudul Islam, Barrister Rokan Uddin Mahmud and Barrister Tania Ameer appeared for Red Cow, Nido and Dano respectively.

Deputy attorney general Rajik Al Jalil stood for the government.

Earlier, on October 23, the High Court, following the PIL writ petition, directed the government to take immediate steps for putting embargo on display and sale of the suspected melamine-tainted powdered milk of eight foreign brands.

The HC had given the directive amid public concern over initial findings about the toxic industrial chemical in the powdered milk.

The HC had also issued a twin-rule upon the government to explain why its failure to stop sale of melamine-tainted powdered milk should not be declared illegal and why a direction should not be given for taking necessary steps for protecting the citizen's health.

Secretaries of the ministry of home, finance, commerce, and health, as well as chairmen of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Atomic Energy Commission, the Director General of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and the Inspector General of Police have been made respondents to the writ.

AL served notice for violating code of conduct

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday served the first cautionary notice to Awami League (AL) for violating election code of conducts by its massive arrangements for reception of party chief Sheikh Hasina at the cost of commuters' right to normal life.

The "reception" events of AL President Sheikh Hasina, as she returned home yesterday morning, turned into an "election campaign" where expected candidates and their supporters violated regulations regarding the scheduled parliamentary and upazila elections, the EC said in a letter to AL's General Secretary.

"As directed by the election commission, you are being specially requested to refrain from such activities to ensure the congenial atmosphere ahead of the upcoming general elections," said the letter signed by Mihir Sarwar Morshed, Deputy Secretary (Election) of the Commission.

The notice was sent to the Awami League office in the afternoon, copies of which were handed to waiting reporters at the EC office.

The letter alleged that the massive gatherings and motor demonstrations of AL caused severe traffic jams in different city streets disrupting the movement of people of all walks of life and exposing them to extreme difficulties.

Moreover, the letter said, colorful posters with prospective party candidates were pasted on vehicles while street marches were staged with the party symbol during the reception "practically turning it into an election campaign".

"This has caused the violation of the election code of conduct-2008" which debars registered political parties, party candidates or independent candidates from staging any sort of poll campaign before three weeks of the declared election date.

"According to the rules any registered political party, its nominated candidates or independent candidates or anybody on behalf of them cannot start off campaign before three weeks of the voting day," the letter reads.

Hasina returned home yesterday after five months of medical treatment in the United States to lead her party in general elections schedule for next month while thousands of party activists and supporters packed the route to the airport to greet her.

The Airport Road came to a total halt while other roads adjacent the route from the airport to Sudha Sadan residence also witnessed massive traffic congestion as the Awami League activists and supporters gathered all along the thoroughfare carrying banners and chanting slogans.

4-party to be expanded: Khaleda meets leaders of 12 small parties

Staff Reporter

BNP-led four-party alliance is likely to be expanded apparently in the face of Awami League-led grand alliance in the forthcoming elections.

"BNP Chairperson held a meeting with 12 political parties. The four-party alliance is likely to be expanded, if necessary," said BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain while briefing journalists after BNP Chairperson's meeting with the parties at her Gulshan office in the city yesterday.

The political parties which took part in the exchange of ideas with the BNP Chairperson are-Jatiya Ganotantrik Party, two factions of Muslim League, two factions of Bangladesh Labour Party, Bangladesh Islamic Party, National Awami Party, Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party, National People's Party, National Democratic Party, Nirdoliyo Jano Andolon and Bangladesh Hindu League.

Khondoker Delwar Hossain said Begum Khaleda Zia and other party leaders would have to be cleared from corruption charges like AL president Sheikh Hasina to create level-playing field for the forthcoming general polls.

He called upon the government to fulfill their seven-point demand, including withdrawal of the state of emergency.

The BNP leader also demanded a fresh schedule for parliamentary polls.

Thousands greet Hasina

Staff Reporter

Former prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina returned home yesterday after staying abroad for five months for treatment.

The AL chief, flying from London, touched down at the Zia International Airport at 9.05am amid tight security at the airport.

After holding a press conference at around 10am at the VIP lounge of the airport, she headed for her Sudha Sadhan residence in Dhanmondi.

Thousands of leaders and workers of the party, its associate organisations and supporters stand in line on both sides of the streets from the Zia International Airport entrance to Sudha Shadan to greet her. Their continuous chanting and slogans rent the sky.

Her presence is sure to inject vigour among the leaders, activists and supporters ahead of the general election.

She placed wreath at the Bangabandu's portrait at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi road no. 32 at 5:30pm.

Hasina advanced the date of her return by four days, to November 6 from November 10, following the Election Commission's announcement of parliamentary polls schedule earlier in the week.

Facing five graft cases, Hasina flew to the United States on June 12 for treatment, a day after the government allowed her temporary release from special jail on medical grounds.

During her stay in the United States (US), the former prime minister twice met US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher.

Hasina was arrested on July 16 last year. Her parole, extended on several occasions ended on Nov 6, the day of her return.

She has been granted bail in all cases against her. She was cleared of extortion charges ON Wednesday pressed by businessman Noor Ali.

Clarification

The last two sentences of our front page editorial 'Yes, we can' published yesterday should read: "He assured that a new dawn of American leadership was at hand and declared that the true strength of America came neither from the might of arms nor the scale of wealth but from the enduring power of ideals. Words like these have not been heard from an American President for a long time."

The last sentence as published was incomplete due to a computer error.

Tigers-Proteas first ODI today

Sports Reporter

After tasting a 12-run defeat by South Africa in the lone Twenty20 match in Johannesburg on November 5, Bangladesh National Cricket team will face South Africa National Cricket team today in the first ODI at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

The match starts today at 6.30 PM. Bangladesh Television will relay the match.

Before today's match, the Tigers faced the Proteas in 11 ODI matches. Of them, South Africa registered 10 wins while Bangladesh won in only one game. It is noteworthy that Bangladesh team lost to South Africa team in the last Twenty20 match after showing a fighting performance.