The New Nation - Internet Edition

Delwar sticks to old demand

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain
addressing a press briefing after holding the 4-party
meeting at his NAM Flat residence in the city on
Monday.

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain yesterday reiterated the demand for lifting the state of emergency without any delay ahead of parliamentary election on December 29.

He urged the government to lift the emergency rule immediately and abandon the Representation of People Order (RPO) Section 91 (E) for holding free and fair election in the country.

"The state of emergency must certainly be withdrawn ahead of the parliamentary polls," he told the journalists after a meeting of the secretaries general of alliance on election climate and government's promises to fulfil the their demands.

Delwar reiterated demand to lift the state of emergency from the day of withdrawal of nominations.

The secretaries general of the four-party alliance yesterday held a meeting to assess the government's commitment to fulfilling the four-point charters of demand by the alliance.

Chowdhury Tanveer Ahmed Siddiquie, standing committee member of BNP, Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mojaheed, Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e- Islami and Moulana Abdul Latif Nezami, Secretary General of Islami Oikkya Jote (IOJ), among others, were present.

Earlier, at a protest rally at Central Shaheed Minar, the Secretary General of BNP demanded of the government for immediate release of BNP leader and former minister Barrister Nazmul Huda.

"The government intentionally has put our popular leaders to the bar so that they could not contest in the polls," he mentioned.

Sigma Huda, wife of Nazmul Huda and other BNP leaders, among others, took part in the rally.

Electoral adjustment 4-party begins parleys among components

Talha Bin Habib

After the announcement of parliamentary and upazila elections schedule by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Sunday, the BNP led four-party alliance has started informal discussion among themselves for nominating candidates for contesting the long awaited parliamentary elections on December 29.

It is leant that the other political parties of the alliance would seek more seats from BNP for contesting the ninth parliamentary election.

Dedication to the party would be the prime criteria for candidates intending to secure nominations from their respective parties, sources of the alliance said.

It also said the Bangladesh Jamaat-e- Islami, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) and Islami Oikkya Jote (IOJ), the partners of the alliance, would seek more seats to BNP in comparison with the number of their previous elections seats sharing.

BNP has already asked other political parties of the alliance to send their intending candidates names for contesting the next polls, said an influential leader of BNP.

He said the top leaders of the alliance would sit together and take decision on completing the final lists of the candidates for the fray.

The final selection of the alliance would be completed within a couple of days, he added.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e- Islami, one of the vital partners of the alliance would seek more seats from BNP, a top Jamaat leader told the New Nation yesterday.

He said the Jammat was offered a total of 35 seats in the stalled January 22 election in 2007. It bagged 17 seats out of 31 constituencies in the election of 2001.

This year the party has a plan to secure at least 60 seats from BNP for contesting the ninth parliamentary elections, he added.

Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), another component of the alliance has also plans to seek considerable number of seats for the party from BNP. The probable number of seats of BJP would be around 15, said Barrister Andalib Rahman, Chairman of the party. Islami Oikkya Jote (IOJ), another component of the alliance is contemplating to seek at least 23 seats for contesting the polls.

It is leant that BNP had allocated a total of 41 seats to its partner parties in the stalled January 22 election in the last year.

This year BNP prefers to allocate nearly 40 seats to the components parties of the alliance.

Editorial: From the Foreign Press: The price of America’s good name

The world has watched in horror as President Bush has trampled on the Bill of Rights and the balance of power. The list of abuses that President-elect Barack Obama must address is long: undo scores of executive orders and bill-signing statements that have undermined the powers of Congress; strip out the unnecessary invasions of privacy embedded in the Patriot Act; block new FBI investigative guidelines straight out of J. Edgar Hoover's playbook.

Those are not the only disasters Obama will inherit. He will have to rescue a drowning economy, restore regulatory sanity to the financial markets and extricate the U.S. from an unnecessary war in Iraq so it can focus on a necessary war in Afghanistan.

Even with all those demands, there is one thing Obama must do and quickly to begin to repair the tainted image of the United States and restore its self-respect: announce a plan for closing Bush's outlaw prison at Guantánamo Bay.

The prison is the premier example of the total disdain shown by Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney for the Constitution, federal law and international treaties. Most sensible governments now cannot see past Guantánamo to even recall America's long history as a defender of human rights and democratic values.

We are under no illusions. Closing the prison will not be easy, or quick, but it can be done. It does not mean that the United States will set free heinous terrorists. But it will mean that these prisoners will have to be tried on other charges than the ones for which they were sent to Guantánamo.

That is Bush's fault. His decision to authorise the torture of detainees has made it highly unlikely that the evidence collected at Guantánamo and the CIA's illegal prisons around the world would stand up in a real court.

In closing down "Gitmo," there are some basic requirements: The prisoners must be dealt with as openly as possible. Those who are charged must stand trial in federal courts, not the tribunals created by the disastrous Military Commissions Act of 2006.

Human Rights Watch has offered a good template for closing Guantánamo. It includes:

Set a date to close the prison. That announcement would send a powerful signal that the new Administration has rejected Bush's abusive and unlawful policies. It would make other countries more likely to cooperate. The taint of Guantánamo is so great that right now even close allies will not consider resettling prisoners who should be set free because they committed no crimes of any kind. There may be at least 60 of these detainees at Gitmo.

Begin a transparent review of detainees. There are about 250 detainees at Guantánamo Bay. Human Rights Watch sensibly proposes creating a task force run by the Justice Department with input from the Departments of State and Defence and the director of national intelligence to separate those who may be truly guilty of terrorist acts - a minority - from the larger population who either committed much more minor crimes or no crimes at all.

Repatriate detainees who are not to be tried. This must be done carefully. There are believed to be 30 to 50 detainees from places like Algeria and Libya who have justified fears of being abused or tortured if they are sent home. The Obama administration should provide these prisoners with advance notice of plans to repatriate them and give them a chance to contest those plans.

Prisoners with a credible fear of abuse cannot be sent to that fate. They will have to be sent to other countries to live.

Try the rest in federal courts. Americans will hear from former members of the Bush administration and supporters of its system of injustice that the federal courts cannot handle these cases because they involve sensitive secrets, or that terrorism is not appropriately handled as a law-enforcement issue.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the federal courts have successfully prosecuted about 100 terrorism cases, and the courts deal routinely with national secrets. The real reason Bush and his team avoided the federal courts for the Gitmo detainees was that the evidence in so many of these cases is wafer-thin or unusable because it was obtained through coercion and torture.

The world saw more proof of that last week, when Colonel Stephen Henley, a military judge at Guantánamo, refused to admit evidence obtained through torture or coercion at the trial of Mohammed Jawad, an Afghan national who is one of the few prisoners at Guantánamo who has been charged and put on trial. Evidence that cannot pass muster in Guantánamo's kangaroo courts is certainly not going to be admitted by a civilian judge in a duly constituted court of law.

The Jawad case has become emblematic of everything that is wrong with Guantánamo Bay: he was captured in Afghanistan at the age of 16 or 17 and thrown into indefinite detention without hope of eventual release because he allegedly threw a grenade at two U.S. servicemen and an Afghan interpreter. The prosecutor resigned in September, saying he could not ethically proceed, and the judge threw out Jawad's confession because it had been tortured out of him by Afghan interrogators.

Does this mean that truly dangerous men will be set free, to go back to plotting more attacks against America? No. But it will require smart legal thinking by the new administration.

It may be that compromises will have to be made. It is understandable that some people will find that less than satisfying. But it is important to remember that this is the high price of Bush's incompetent and lawless conduct of the war against terrorism. It is a price worth paying to restore the rule of law and this country's good name.

-International Herald Tribune

4,256 flats to be built for govt officials: A rig for BAPEX to be purchased

UNB, Dhaka

The government will buy a rig for BAPEX to enable the state-owned company to do hydrocarbon exploration on a larger scale on its own-a longstanding suggestion by national energy experts and stakeholders.

Under another decision taken by the caretaker government, 4,256 flats will be constructed for government officials at Mohakhali and Mirpur in the capital city.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) yesterday approved these two six other proposals in a meeting presided over by Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at the NEC auditorium.

A total expenditure of Tk 4,281 crore was estimated for the projects. Of the amount, Tk 244 crore will come from donor agencies as financial aid.

After the meeting, Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam said that the apartments would be built by private developers through partnership.

The government would provide only the land for the project and the cost involvement would be Tk 3,324 crore for the housing scheme.

"We'll have no direct cash involvement in the flat- construction project as we will provide the land," he told reporters at the NEC Building.

About the rig procurement, for which Tk 257 crore was allocated, he said this would enhance BAPEX capability in hydrocarbon exploration.

As per the approved projects, a National Revenue Building will be constructed at a cost of Tk 141 crore for the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and a Bangladesh Embassy Building built in Riyadh of Saudi Arabia at a cost of Tk 35 crore. The Saudi government will provide the land.

About Tk 155 crore will be spent on Promotion of Services and Opportunities to the Disabled Persons in Bangladesh project and another amount of Tk 89 crore for Services for Children at Risk project.

Both the projects will be financed by donor agencies.

A 33-KV electric line installation project will be implemented under the Rural Electrification Board (REB) at a cost of Tk 240 crore while a project titled Strengthening of Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (Phase-III) will be implemented at a cost of Tk 40 crore.

This project was undertaken to improve the information and computer technology-related knowledge of government officials.

The ECNEC rejected a project for construction of Chief Judicial Magistrate buildings in every district headquarters on different grounds.

Global slump won’t affect RMG exports: BKMEA

BSS, Dhaka

The current global financial recession will not create any fearful situation for the garment exporters.

The country is facing both negative and positive influences of the global economic slowdown in the knitting sector, President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Fazlul Haq yesterday said this while briefing the reporters on a three-day exhibition of knitting technology and machinery from November 28 in the city.

Though the country lost 30 percent international orders for its knit products due to the slump, but new orders from various countries, including China, are filling the gap, he added. The current rate of growth in the fields of manufacture and export of readymade garments is above 15 percent and that will be continuing, he added. Fazlul Haq said every two days a new knitting unit is being established. About Taka 2,000 crore is being invested in the sector annually.

Besides, Taka 1,000 crore more is also being spent in a year for expansion and modernisation of the knit sector, the BKMEA chief said.

Citing the knitting machinery exhibition as a bold step, which has been organised for the first time in the country under the cloud of the global recession, Fazlu Haq said many countries did not hold such exhibition due to the existing situation. A total of 75 organisations from 10 countries, including Germany, the UK, China, South Korea and India, will participate in the fair at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Centre in the city.

Fazlul Haq urged the BKMEA members not to accept selling prices of knit products fixed by the foreigners. "Rather, we should develop a price fixation mechanism," he added.

Kibria murder case: Mufti Hannan, 3 others granted 7-day remand

UNB, Habiganj

A court here yesterday granted a seven-day remand for Harkatul Jihad leader Mufti Abdul Hannan and three other JMB leaders in the ex-finance minister Shah AMS Kibria murder case.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate M Helaluddin passed the order following a plea by CID investigation officer (IO) ASP Rafiqul Islam.

The other JMB leaders are: Mohibullah alias Mofiz alias Ovi, 30, Sharif Shahedul Alam alias Bipul, 38, and Hafez Sayed Nayeem Ahmed alias Arif, 32.

The accused were produced before the court under heavy security. The court only heard the accused in the dock, as no prosecutor stood for them. All the accused pleaded not guilty.

On the other hand, public prosecutors CI Fazlul Karim and Advocate Alamgir Bhuiyan sought a 10-day remand for the accused.

Hearing both sides, the court granted seven days' remand for them.

Awami League and former lawmaker Kibria was among five killed in a grenade attack at Boidyer Bazar in Sadar upazila on January 27, 2005 that also left 70 people injured.

District Awami League organising secretary Adv Abdul Majid filed two cases with Sadar thana the same day.

After investigation, IO of the case ASP Munshi Atiqur Rahman of CID had submitted a chargesheet against 10 people, including BNP leader AKM Abdul Quaiyum. But, the plaintiff of the case submitted a naraji (objection) petition against the chargesheet.

The proceedings of the two cases have been stayed following a High Court order.

Later, CID officials found a link between the JMB activists and the Kibria murder case during their investigation into various grenade attacks in the country.

Meanwhile, eight detainees of the case, including BNP leader Abdul Quaiyum, were freed on bail.

Legal action against Maj Mannan suggested

UNB, Dhaka

The Election Commission has asked Laxmipur district election investigation committee to take legal action against Bikalpadhara leader Maj (retd) Mannan for violating the election code of conduct.

In a letter on Sunday to the committee members, including joint district and sessions judge M Abdul Mannan and assistant judge M Mosleh Uddin, the EC directed them to take legal action against Mannan. The letter, signed by EC deputy secretary Mihir Sarwar Morshed, reads: "Allegations have it that Bikalpadhara Bangladesh secretary general Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan (Sunday) went to Ramgati upazila in Laxmipur in a helicopter from Dhaka to submit his nomination papers."

"It's tantamount to violation of the Electoral Code of Conduct for a political party and a candidate of parliament election as per its section-8 (Ga) 2008," the letter said.

It further said, "Under the circumstances mentioned above, it is requested as per an EC decision to take necessary legal action (against Mannan) for violating the Election Code of Conduct by using a helicopter in election works."

Earlier on Sunday, Assistant Returning officer and Ramgati Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ahsanur Rahman Hasib turned down Mannan's nomination paper for Laxmipur-4 constituency for violating election rules by using helicopter.

Majority of AIDS patients under 25

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a workshop said yesterday that overwhelming majority of the HIV patients in the country are below 25 years indicating that HIV/AIDS is rapidly spreading among the youths of 15-24 years age bracket.

If this trend continues the younger generation of the country will be severely affected, they warned.

They were speaking at the workshop on "Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS Prevention in Non-Formal Education (NFE) in Bangladesh" at the Mission Bhaban Auditorium of Dhanmondi in the capital.

It was organised by Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) with the support of UNESCO.

DAM Executive Director M Ehsanur Rahman presided over the workshop, while Shymol Kanti Ghosh of Bureau of Non-Formal Education was present as chief guest. It was attended, among others, by UNESCO representative in Bangladesh Malama Meleisea and NASP Programme Manager Ferdous Alam Shibib.

MA Rashid, Director of DAM Training and Material Development Division, delivered the welcome address.

Speakers said HIV and AIDS Prevention in the country is very important to save our next generation.

The workshop was told that a package consisting of 8 materials or creating awareness on HIV and AIDS and life skill development has been developed earlier with the technical and financial support of UNESCO. This has been done following the age based literacy capacity of adults.

They hoped that these materials would help majority of the people of the country to become conscious about the severe consequences of HIV and AIDS.

Ctg AL leaders unhappy over candidates’ selection

Chittagong Correspondent

Majority of Awami League (AL) leaders at Patiya Constituency expressed their dissatisfaction over candidates' selection in the vital constituency of southern Chittagong.

The AL leaders who had long been working in Patiya have already disowned selected candidate - Shamsul Haque Chowdhury and drew AL chief Sheikh Hasina's attention to the constituency for picking up better candidate.

Shamsul Haque Chowdhury has been selected as AL candidate by dropping three relatively fit and experienced leaders making many of the Awami League supporters frustrated.

Though Shamsul Haque Chowdhury formally started election campaign after submitting nomination paper, most of the leaders and workers of Upazila AL and its front organisations kept them away from the AL candidate. "He (Shamshul Haque) is no one in the party, he is not holding any post in AL, how he desires our cooperation in the elections," a senior AL leader of Patiya told this Correspondent preferring anonymity. AL leaders urged the party chief Sheikh Hasina to rethink about the candidate for greater unity of the party apart from regaining the constituency from the BNP.

They raised question about Shamsul Haque Chowdhury's competence to bring about qualitative change in politics.

On the other hand, Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad) has already nominated former lawmaker and industrialist Alhaj Sirajul Islam Chowdhury for the vital constituency of southern Chittagong. The seat belonged to the BNP over the last three elections.

The JP has been demanding the Chittagong-11 (Patiya) Constituency and Alhaj Sirajul Islam Chowdhury might have been declared as 'mega-alliance' candidate for Patiya constituency to ensure victory.

An AL leader told this Correspondent that the JP candidate Sirajul Islam had good track record in politics and he had been involved in politics since his college and university life.

"Meanwhile, his role in implementing third Karnaphuli Bridge, Patiya Upazila Health Complex, Patiya Municipality and different development works during his tenure will help him to get public support," he added.

Ctg acting mayor

Through a sudden decision acting Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Alhaj M Monjur Alam is walking on a fresh track of politics with grief by saying bye to his long-cherished political ideology.

He might join Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) formally, which might be a big jolt for Awami League (AL) here in the port city.

While talking to this Correspondent, Manjur Alam said, "I've already received green signal from the BNP high-ups and now I'm thinking of participating in the election.

He thinks that the AL did not evaluate his contribution to AL.

Just couple of weeks back he collected nomination paper to contest the polls from the Double Mooring constituency under the banner of AL.

It is widely believed that Monjur could not get party ticket simply because of opposition of city unit AL President and Mayor Alhaj ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury. On the other hand, the AL high-ups have reportedly started negotiating with Monjur Alam to change his decision.

10 cocktails recovered in Savar

UNB, Savar

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) recovered 10 cocktails at Sowapur in Dhamrai here Monday morning.

Acting on a tip off, a team of RAB-4 raided the house of one Choudda Mohan and recovered the cocktails from an abandoned house.

However, they could not arrest any one in this connection.

1,500 bottles of phensidyl seized in city

Staff Reporter

Rapid Action Battalion seized 1,500 bottles of contraband phensidyl syrup from a truck at Elephant Road in the city yesterday and arrested a man in this connection.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of RAB-10 intercepted an onion-laden truck at Elephant Road near the New Market at about 1:45am and recovered the banned Indian cough syrup after searching it.

The elite force also arrested truck driver Abul Hossain alias Khokan, 40, for carrying the contraband items in his vehicle, said a RAB press release.