The New Nation - Internet Edition

Obama promises action plan on economy

AP, Chicago

Inheriting an economy in peril, President-elect Obama warned on Friday that the nation faces the challenge of a lifetime and pledged he would act urgently to help Americans devastated by lost jobs, disappearing savings and homes seized in foreclosure. But the man who promised change cautioned against hopes of quick solutions.

"It is not going to be easy for us to dig ourselves out of the hole that we are in," Obama said at his first news conference since winning the presidency on Tuesday.

The No. 1 priority, Obama said, is to get Congress to approve an economic stimulus plan that would extend jobless benefits, send food aid to the poor, dispatch Medicaid funds to states and spend tens of billions of dollars on public works projects. If the plan is not approved this month, in a special session of Congress, Obama said that "it will be the first thing I get done as president of the United States."

In his first appearance since a jubilant election-night celebration, Obama sought to project an air of calm and reassurance to a deeply worried nation. He stood in a presidential-like setting with an array of eight American flags and a lectern showing a presidential seal above the words "The Office of the President Elect." The stage behind him was lined with advisers he had summoned, his economic brain trust.

Almost 20 minutes late to his first meeting with reporters, Obama spoke for just 20 minutes and broke no ground with new policy announcements or disclosures of who would be in his Cabinet. In lighthearted moments, he joked about seances with dead presidents and the appeal of animal shelter dogs that are "mutts like me."

Constrained by the fact he will not take office until Jan. 20, Obama deferred to President Bush and his economic team on major decisions. "The United States has only one government and one president at a time," he said.

Declaring he would not respond to issues "in a knee-jerk fashion," Obama declined to say how he would deal with Iran, whose president sent a letter of congratulations to Obama. "I want to be very careful that we are sending the right signals to the world as a whole that I am not the president and I won't be until January 20th," he said.

A new jobless report offered no comfort. The unemployment rate climbed to a 14-year high in October,and 10.1 million people were out of work. In Detroit, General Motors reported a huge third-quarter loss and said it may run out of cash next year. Ford planned more job cuts after burning through billions of dollars of its own.

While standing back as long as Bush is president, Obama said his advisers would keep close watch on the administration's efforts to unlock frozen credit and stabilize financial markets. Obama said he wanted to make sure the Bush administration was "protecting taxpayers, helping homeowners and not unduly rewarding the management of financial firms that are receiving government assistance." Obama spoke after he and Vice President-elect Joe Biden met privately with economic advisers to discuss ways to stabilize the economy.

"We are facing the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime, and we're going to have to act swiftly to resolve it," Obama said.

He said he was confident that "a new president can have an enormous impact," but he tempered that optimism by adding, "I do not underestimate the enormity of the task that lies ahead."

"Immediately after I become president, I will confront this economic challenge head-on by taking all necessary steps to ease the credit crisis, help hardworking families, and restore growth and prosperity," Obama said.

"Some of the choices that we're going to make are going to be difficult," he said. "It is not going to be quick. It's not going to be easy for us to dig ourselves out of the hole that we are in." But he said he was confident the country could do it.

Obama left the door open to the possibility that economic conditions might prompt him to change his tax plan that would give a break to most families but raise taxes on those making more than $250,000 annually.

"I think that the plan that we've put forward is the right one, but obviously over the next several weeks and months, we're going to be continuing to take a look at the data and see what's taking place in the economy as a whole," Obama said.

Democratic congressional leaders want to pass a broad economic aid package in a postelection session later this month, but prospects appear dim because of Bush's opposition.

Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., the majority leader, said the House wouldn't reconvene for a postelection session unless Bush did an about-face and drops his opposition. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., isn't sure such a package could get through the Senate either, he added.

"Clearly there's no point in us doing something if the administration's going to take a position that they're not going to sign something," Hoyer said.

If Congress and Bush can't come to terms on a stimulus bill this fall, lawmakers have spoken with Obama's team about a Plan B: The new Congress could quickly pass an economic aid package when it reconvenes in early January, readying it for Obama's signature as his first official act after being inaugurated, Democratic leadership aides said.

That measure would probably be just the first installment of a broader package, including a middle class tax cut, that Congress could pass separately after Obama is in the White House.

Saudi Ambassador meets Hasina

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Bin Naser
al Bossary called on Awami League President Sheikh Hasina at
her Sudha Sadan residence yesterday. FocusBangla

UNB, Dhaka

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah bin Naser Al-Busairi yesterday met Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and discussed various matters, including the upcoming parliamentary polls.

After the meeting at Hasina's Sudha Sadan house, the Saudi envoy told reporters that Saudi Arabia has good relations with Bangladeshi leaders, as he earlier met BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Busairi said bilateral relations and cooperation between the two Muslim countries are good and hoped it would be strengthened further. "Inshallah, the future of Bangladesh is bright," the envoy said.

All not quiet on RU cultural front

RU Correspondent

The cultural activists of the Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday filed three general dairies with the Motiher police following death threat from Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) activists for performing a drama on the campus on November 3..

RU Udichi Shilpigoshti General Secretary Abu Sayem, also the RU unit president of Bangladesh Chhatra Union (BCU), filed a general dairy (GD) with the Motiher police stating that Shibir activists under the banner of 'Sacheton Chhatra Samaj' threatened to burn to death Udichi activists of RU .

Udichi activist Hosne Ara Farzana, filed another general dairy accusing a group of Shibir activists of physically assaulting her as she protested their 'propaganda' in front of her department on Thursday.

In her dairy she sought security to her life.

Some cultural activists of RU, Udichi Shilpigoshti and Dhumketu Natya Sangsad jointly met university acting vice chancellor Prof Mamnunul Keramat and Proctor Enamul Haque separately yesterday and demanded punishment of the Shibir activists who are involved in the false propaganda against cultural activists.

They also submitted memoranda to RU VC and Proctor incorporating their five-point demand.

Their demands include immediate arrest and cancellation of the studentship of the Shibir activists who staged demonstration under the banner of 'Sacheton Chhatra Samaj', immediate ban on religion based politics on the RU campus and security of lives of the cultural activists.

They threatened to launch a tough movement against the university authorities if the responsible Shibir activists were not punished.

Earlier on Friday, Shibir activists held a demonstration on the RU campus and threatened to kill cultural activists of RU for staging a controversial drama which was alleged to have vilified the prophet Mohammad (SM).

Meanwhile, Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) of RU led by ICS RU unit president Delwar Hossain Saidee met RU VC at his office and gave 48 hours ultimatum demanding immediate cancellation of studentship of the Udichi and Dhumketu Natya Sangsad activists for staging a drama on the campus.

RU shibir placed three -point demand and gave a memorandum to RU vice chancellor Prof. Mamnunul Keramot. The demands include ban all activities of the Udichi and Dhumketu on the campus and a exemplary punishment to the author of the controversial drama, performers and others associated with it.

They threatened to halt university activities after deadline if RU authorities fail to take action against them.

RU authorities will bear all responsibility if any untoward incident occurs on the campus after deadline, said Delwar Hossain Saidee told reporters.

Several hundred Shibir activists under the banner of 'Sacheton Chhatra Samaj' staged a big showdown, held a protest rally and paraded different streets on the campus in front of police.

Speakers at the rally said that Dhumketu Nattaya Sangsad (DNS) of Rajshahi University (RU) staged the drama named " Mandar" in which prophet Mohammad (SM) was vilified.

The drama ,which was staged on November 3 at Siraji Bhaban Chatter on the campus under the banner of Dhumketu Nattya Sangsad, had a character named "Rasul".

An activist of Udichi claimed that the drama was not intended to the criticise the holy prophet.

Foes collaborate in hazardous waste trade

Under the influence of Russia, Canada and asbestos companies, Indian and Pakistani governments compelled the UN conference in Rome on 28th October, 2008 to miss the opportunity to include chrysotile (white) asbestos in the UN hazardous chemicals trade watch list for the fourth time, says a message received from media vigil India.

Asbestos is a cancer causing fiber due to which 10, 000 people are dying every year in US and 4, 000 per year in UK. More than 50 countries including Europe, Japan, Australia have banned it.

Governments of India and Pakistan revealed how they put trade before human health in an act of manifest sophistry and insincerity.

Ban Asbestos Network and civil rights groups across the globe condemned such treacherous callousness in the face of incurable but preventable asbestos disease epidemic.

In a noteworthy but unpardonable collaboration between India and Pakistan both the countries decided to endanger the lives of their citizens, children, women and workers by betraying public interest for the benefit of Russia, Canada and asbestos companies.

This came to light at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-4) of the UN's 'Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure (PIC) for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade' from 27-31 October last, the message said.

Road accidents kill 4,000 people every year

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar yesterday said about 4000 people died every year in road accident in the country and the country loses TK 2400 crore on that account.

"Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB)" organised the seminar titled "The Step of Authorities Preventing Road Accident and Necessity of Traffic Rule Amendment" at Supreme Court Bar Association in the city.

The speakers said, the road accident and the death caused by accidents is increasing day by day due to indifferent attitude of the authorities concerned.

The seminar was presided over by Advocate Monjil Murshed, executive president of HRPB, Justice Md Fazlul Karim of Appellate Division of Supreme Court, attended the seminar as chief guest.

Justice Md Awlad Ali, Barrister Nazrul Islam, senior Advocate of Supreme Court, Justice Mamtaj Uddin Ahmed,Justice Kazi Ebadul Haque, Dr Aminul Islam, Professor of Dhaka University, Md Azizul Haque Bhuiya, former chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority(BRTA), Actor Ilias Kanchan, chairman of Nirapad Sarak Chai, Barrister MA Jafor, principal of Law Cassel Academy, Dr M Mofakkharul Bari, associate professor of Pangu Hospital, among others, attended as special guests.

Justice Fazlul Karim said the state is responsible for ensuring not to cause death from road accidents. The state has to take the responsibility to make the necessary rules and to ensure that the rules are followed.

The speakers said, the proper steps of authorities concerned are enough to avoid the road accident. But the menace of road accident is the lack of enforcement of laws.

Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Advocate of Bangladesh Supreme Court, presented a Keynote Paper at the seminar.

She mentioned that the prevention of road accident is possible by implementing the traffic rule sternly. The mobile court needs to introduce in an effort for implementing laws, she suggested.

She called upon the government to ban the unlicenced vehicles and to put pressure to bring the drivers under registration.

City roundtable told: Ownership of natural, mineral resources lies with people

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a round table yesterday laid emphasis on good governance, upgrading political culture and ensuring basic needs of the general people for making a dent on poverty effectively.

They also called upon the government to see to it that the ownership of the country's natural and mineral resources remains with the people and does not go to multinational companies.

ShuSasoner Jonno Procharavijan (SHUPRO) organised the programme on "Millennium Development Goal: Progress, Evaluation and analysis " at the National Press Club in the capital.

They also called for updating our health service, improving the standard of living and education to fork around six crore people of the country from the abyss of poverty.

Representatives of different organisations working at the grassroots-level pleaded for ensuring primary education, health service and development in every remote corner of our country.

Addressing as Chief guest, former Chief Justice Golam Robbani said our political leaders amassed huge wealth out of foreign aid while the vast majority of the poor had remained under poverty line. One-day people would come forward to challenge the government for fulfilment of their demands, he warned.

Pradip Kumar Roy, Chief Executive officer of SHUPRO,delivered the welcome address while Ahmed Swapon Mahmud moderated the discussion.

Mahbubur Rahman, lawmaker of BNP, AKM Jahangir Hossain former State Minister of Awami League government, Hayder Akber Khan Rono, politbureau member of Bangladesh Workers Party, among others, took part in the discussion.

Tigers-Proteas 2nd ODI today

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh National Cricket team led by Mohammad Ashraful will face South Africa National Cricket Team today in the second ODI match at the Willowmoore Park in Benoni of South Africa.

The match begins at 2.00 PM. Bangladesh Television will telecast the match live from the stadium.

South Africa have a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series as the Proteas defeated the Tigers by 61 runs in the first ODI at the Senwas Park in Potchefstroom on November 7.

Before today's match, Bangladesh and South Africa faced in 12 ODI matces. Of them, the Proteas composed 11 victories while the Tigers beat the Proteas in one affair. In the year of 2007 Bangladesh beat South Africa by 67 runs in that match.

Today's match is do or die for Bangladesh team if they want to level the ODI series.

The last ODI clash between Bangladesh and South Africa will be held at the Bufallo Park in East London of South Africa on November 12.

RU employees lay siege around VC's office

RU Correspondent

About 200 class four employees of the Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday confined RU acting Vice -Chancellor Prof Mamnunul Keramat to his office for an hour demanding regularisation of their jobs.

The agitating employees, who were stated to have been employed in violation of the university rule, laid siege to the VC office and demanded resignation of RU acting Vice Chancellor Prof Mamnunul Keramat for not confirming their jobs within their given deadline.

During their sit-in demonstration, they held a rally urging the chief adviser and the University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman to take necessary steps for confirmation of their jobs.

They also brought out a procession on the campus.

They threatened to resist the upcoming admission test if the university authorities failed to regularize their jobs.

Later, a seven-member team representing the agitating class four employees of the university held talks with the RU authorities at the VC office.

RU Treasurer Prof Dr Mozammel Haque, Registrar Prof Mohammed Shafi, Proctor Enamul Haque, students' advisor Faridul Islam Pintu and senior officials of the law enforcing agencies were present at the meeting.

The RU VC assured the agitating employees that he would meet UGC chairman on Sunday and request him to take necessary steps to regularise their jobs, according to the university sources.

Following the assurance, the employees withdrew their sit-in demonstration at around 3:00pm.

A large number of police were deployed on the campus to avert any untoward incident.

Earlier, the university authorities appointed 544 class three and class four employees against 255 vacant posts in 2004 in gross violation of the university rules. Jobs of about 300 employees were regularised during the rule of the BNP led alliance government.

Later, the High Court stayed the recruitment following filing of a case.

Kalyan Party demands extension of nomination filing time

Staff Reporter

Major Gen (retd) Syed Mohammad Ibrahim, Chairman of Bangladesh Kalyan Party (BKP) demanded extension of the time by five days for filing nomination and party's registration yesterday.

Addressing party's second representative conference at the Imperial Hotel in the city, he said smaller parties alongside the bigger ones should be opportunity to participate in December 18 parliamentary elections.

About 600 delegates from 70 upazilas of 32 districts joined the conference, a BKP release said

Sadeq Ahmed Khan, BKP acting secretary general, Prof. Dr Iqbal Hassan Mahmud, Col (retd) Engineer Mustaq Hossain, Lt Col (retd) Enamul Huq, Forkan Ibrahim, among others, attended the meeting.

Party's chairman said, Bangladesh is not the property of two parties or two alliances. There should be restraint in raising demands or making statements. He also demanded trial of the war criminals.

Meanwhile, a rebel group of Kalyan Party today claimed Abdul Hannan Mollah Palash as acting chairman expelled Gen (retd) Ibrahim from the party on charge of anti-organizational activities, falsehood and misuse of party funds.

Govt rehabilitates corrupts through compromises: Dr Kamal

UNB, Dhaka

Gono Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday accused the caretaker government of rehabilitating corrupt people making compromises with them.

"People haven't given the present caretaker government the responsibility to assist the looters," he said while presiding over a meeting of the party central committee at its central office.

He demanded the government follow proper guidelines for holding a free and fair election saying that this government would be forced to stand in the dock if it fails to discharge its responsibilities properly.

The Gono Forum president said efforts are underway to portray corrupt people, looters and godfathers as political prisoners. "There can't be a free and fair election by compromising with the criminals. The caretaker government will be held accountable to the nation for such immoral and unconstitutional activities."

All the decisions have to be taken taking the interests of the country's 15 crore people into account, he said adding that there had been many misdeeds in the past in the name of democracy, pushing the country towards destruction.

He said those who have made personal gains selling the country's interests and siphoned of money are the traitors. "The government has failed to take actions against them."

Dr Kamal said those who resorted to looting, terrorism, communalism and militancy in the name of democracy could not be the friends of the people.

He urged the people to get united against corrupts, black money holders, terrorists and militants for taking the country to the path of prosperity.

4 party still indecisive regarding polls: Zillur expresses optimism

Talha Bin Habib

As the date for submission of nomination papers for contesting the forthcoming parliamentary election scheduled on December 18 is approaching the participation in the election by BNP-led four-party alliance is still hanging in the balance since no fresh offer for talks by the government with the alliance was initiated till yesterday.

Till yesterday the four-party alliance did not get any fresh offer from the government for further talks to remove the current stalemate on election issue, insiders of the coalition said.

The Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday said the government would use all possible means to bring all the political parties in the polls.

"The government would take initiatives for convincing the alliance to participate in the elections," he added.

But the grassroots levels activists of BNP are a little bit frustrated since they are yet to get specific decision on their party's stand on the polls issue, according to political analysts.

As a result, frustration has gripped the grassroots level activists of the BNP and its component parties, it added.

The leaders of the four-party alliance said they are ready for election only after fulfilling their seven-point demand by the government. They said the ball is now in the government's court for implementing their demands, which they believe could pave the way for their joining in the elections.

They also said that though the government claimed for creating a level playing field for all political parties but in practice there are anomalies regarding the four-party alliance.

"If the government really wants free and fair elections then they (government) must realise those demands," said a high-up of the alliance.

The four-party alliance in its recent meeting on Wednesday and BNP's grand rally in Chittagong on Friday reiterated fulfilling their seven-point demand by the government as pre-condition for taking part in the election.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Friday's rally in Chittagong categorically said her party as well as the four-party alliance would join the polls only after the seven-point demand is realised by the government.

Meanwhile, the Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman at a function in the city yesterday told journalists that the government would use its all possible means to bring all political parties in the elections.

"If the government and political parties could play their due role then it could greatly help get us in political transition," he added.

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain said the participation in the election of the alliance completely depends on the government and the Election Commission (EC) decision.

"Our demands must be met by the government if it wants to hold free and fair election in the country," he told the media at his NAM flat yesterday.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Muhamamd Mojaheed said the Jammat is always in favour of participating in the election.

When asked whether his party sincerely wants to participate in the polls, he replied, " Jamaat never thinks to boycott the polls".

"We could not give them (Awami League) walkover in the elections," he said.

While talking with the New Nation, a high ranking leader of the component parties of the alliance yesterday, on condition of anonymity, said they are expecting that the government would contact the alliance soon to iron out all excuses and misunderstandings for the sake of elections.

"The high-ups of the four party alliance are now in the capital and we are ready to join urgent meeting whenever Chairperson of BNP summons us," he mentioned.

Unplanned urbanisations worsens city life

Staff Reporter

Professor Mozaffar Ahmed, president of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA), yesterday urged the city planners to abide by the Codes of Conduct in construction of buildings and to involve the local people in drawing city plans process.

He also suggested the city planners to work with a complete professional mentality to minimise congestion to ensure higher life standard.

Mozaffar made this comment while delivering speech as chief guest at a round table titled "Bangladesh City plan- Circumstance 2020" jointly organised by Bangladesh Institute of planners (BIP) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the planners tower in the capital to mark the World City Plan Day.

He said, " The life standard of the Dhaka city dwellers is worsening day by day due to unplanned urbanisation. To get rid of this curse, proper city planning is a must. The BIP should draft a Code of Conducts for the city planners for entire improvement of this scenario."

Peofessor Dr. Nazrul Islam, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), suggested to introduce Urban Planning Department in all the public and private universities to produce sufficient city planning professionals in the country.

Dr. Sarwar Jahan, president of BIP, presided over the roundtable while Musleh Uddin Ahmed of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), presented the keynote paper.

Michael Cillingsabi, Director of a project of UNDP, Architect Iqbal Habib, among, others, were also present in the session.

Earlier Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka inaugurated the daylong programme. A colourful rally was brought out from SAARC fountain site at Kawran Bazar to CR Dutt road. UNDP Bangladesh country director Steffen Priesner was present there.

2763 AL nomination papers sold

Staff Reporter

More than nine Awami Leggue (AL) nomination aspirants collected nomination forms for each parliamentary constituency to contest in the upcoming national election scheduled for December 18.

Distribution of party's nomination papers ended yesterday. A total of 2,758 nomination papers were sold for six divisions from the party's headquarters at Bangabandhu Avenue since November 5.

The highest 1301 nomination papers were sold for 95 constituencies of Dhaka division, 462 for 72 constituencies of Rajshahi division, 443 for 57 constituencies of Chittagong Division, 261 for 36 seats for Khulna Division, 201 for 21 seats for Barishal Division, 95 for 19 seats for Shylet Division.

Party source said the party collected a total of Tk 2,06,85,000 by selling nomination forms during the period.

Four nomination forms were collected for parliamentary seats Gopalgonj-3, Rangpur-6, Narail-1, barishal-1 on behalf of AL president Sheikh Hasina.

Establishing NGO commission stressed

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at the publication ceremony of a book here on Saturday called for establishing an NGO Commission to monitor the activities of NGOs.

An independent commission can make sure the accountability and transparency in the activities of the non-government organisations (NGOs), they said.

The book titled "Government-NGO Collaboration for Poverty Alleviation: The Case of Bangladesh" was authored by Director General of Department of Audit Dr Shyamal Kanti Chowdhury.

Comptroller and Auditor General Ataul Hakim attended the function as the chief guest in Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium of National Museum.

Economists Prof Abu Ahmed and Prof Atiur Rahman were discussants at the function, moderated by media consultant Muhammad Jahangir.

Ashraful to be AL spokesperson

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

In a significant party manouevre, Sheikh Hasina announced yesterday that Awami League's acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam would take up the post of party spokesman.

Hasina announced the news to reporters midway through a meeting of the party's central working committee at her political office.

"Syed Ashraful Islam will take over as the party spokesman, having acted as general secretary of the party so far."

Ashraful took over as the acting general secretary of Awami League after Obaidul Quader was arrested in 2007.

The working committee meeting had adjourned on Friday, to be resumed Saturday evening.

Climate change strategy, action plan suggested

BSS, Dhaka

The recasting of 'climate change strategy and action plan' for mitigating Bangladesh's climate change challenges should ensure people's participation and involvement of political parties.

Twenty four NGOs and civil society organisations in addition to three regional bodies in an appeal to Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and British secretary of state for international development of the UK Douglas Alexander made the case asking their intervention in redefining the basic document.

The signatories in a press briefing in the city on Saturday launched the campaign formally.

They said, this document will provide the basis of the Multi- Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) for Bangladesh to be set up with British government initiative by December.

The Fund will be set up to support Bangladesh's efforts to overcome difficulties arising out of global warming and sea-level rise on the people's livelihood and its environment.

The British government originally asked Bangladesh government to prepare the strategy paper. But it finds now many shortcomings and given Dhaka 80 days to improve the document.

The signatories said since an elected political government is now very closer to power, the entire exercise should be left for review from local perspectives.

They said Bangladesh government is capable of managing the fund without leaving its operation to the World Bank (WB). They asked the parties to rescind the earlier decision of passing its management to the WB taken in Bangladesh climate conference in September last.

They sent copies of the plea to other British MPs and functionaries. They said the original country strategy and action plan was drafted by a group of consultants having working relation with the WB and it ignored many local issues.

They reflected the WB views and of those who pollute the environment focused mainly to adopting several projects. On the other hand, it has ignored basic issues such as forced migration, environmental refugees, socio-economic impact of sea- level rise and such other mitigation issues.