The New Nation - Internet Edition

New Nation Report

Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman has expressed the government's willingness to act as catalyst of the meeting between the two leaders Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina who are hardly on talking terms for last 17 years.

The Election Commission in a reaction termed the matter as positive and expressed its determination to hold the national elections on December 18.

"The government is ready to reciprocate positively in this regard as the two political leaders have shown eagerness," Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman told reporters after attending a workshop at BRAC Centre in the morning.

"We will take any initiative for the sake of the countrymen," he said.

The two former prime ministers have barely spoken to each other in the past 17 years.

"The Government will take the initiative to get the two top leaders meet and talk with a view to helping the nation overcome the current political stalemate through restoration of constructive political practices," Hossain Zillur told reporters on Sept 11 after Khaleda was released on bail from prison.

Awami League spokesperson Syed Ashraful Islam told reporters on Wednesday: "Our president is ready for discussion. But that must have an agenda."

Hours later, BNP joint secretary general Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters: "Khaleda is ready to sit with Hasina 'for the sake of the nation'."

The Election Commission has termed the eagerness of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia to sit together 'positive' for the country.

"We have heard that the two leaders have agreed to sit for discussion. If it is held it will be good for the country and very positive for the upcoming election," Election Commissioner Muhammed Sohul Hussain told bdnews yesterday

Sheikh Hasina's latest condition given yesterday to telecast the dialogue live on television channels raises question in the BNP camp about the sincerity of the AL in holding the proposed talks.

Barrister Rafiq Ul Haque, the counsel of both the former premiers, had earlier taken a move to bring the two top leaders across the table but finally failed.

In the latest development, AL spokesperson Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday told reporters that the AL chief is ready to sit across the table but that it must have an agenda.

Awami League (AL) spokesman and Joint Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday suggested that the proposed meeting between AL Chief Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia should be broadcast live.

Talking to reporters at Sheikh Hasina's Sudha Sadan residence in Dhanmondi, he said the people of the country should get an opportunity to watch and hear the discussions on crucial issues between the two leaders. That is why AL is against a closed-door meeting; he said adding it should be broadcast live through a TV channel.

"We want issue-based discussion on the basis of some specific agenda. The issues may include the national election, continuation of the anti-graft drive, keeping constitutional organisations outside politics and agreement on not calling strike if any party sits in the opposition", he added.

He reiterated that the national election must be held on December 18. The nation would face an uncertain future if the parliamentary election is not held on the scheduled date, he warned.

Earlier, Syed Ashraful Islam on Wednesday said that Sheikh Hasina was ready for holding discussion with BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and that there must be some specific agenda.

Close on the heels of the announcement of Ashraful Islam about the willingness of Sheikh Hasina to sit across table with BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zua, BNP joint secretary general Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters Khaleda too was ready for a parley with Hasina in the interest of restoring democracy in the country.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador Zhng Qingdian, who met Sheikh Hasina at Sudha Sadan yesterday, expressed the hope that a free, fair and credible national election would be held on time with the participation of all the political parties.