The New Nation - Internet Edition

Agencies, Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested opposition leader Khaleda Zia to lead her deputies back to parliament as the two rival political leaders exchanged pleasantries at Senakunja get-together on Saturday night on the occasion of Armed Forces Day.

"How are you?" the Prime Minister smilingly asked her political archrival.

Speaker Advocate Abdul Hamid looked on as the two main figures in his House of Parliament spoke, against the backdrop of a latest parliamentary standoff.

"Although Leader of the Oppositions did not give any clear reply to the request of Leader of the House, she smiled," said. Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad while talking to newsmen

Hasina requested the Speaker to woo the boycotting opposition in to parliament. "Bring her in parliament, “the Prime Minister said. In response the Speaker said, "I've not yet been frustrated. I've not given in-I’m trying.”

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina vowed to fast-track the BDR mutiny trial. Hasina said, "I promise, if I live, I'll see the trial completed."

Over 70 people, 57 of them army officers, were killed in February's bloody mutiny at the BDR's Peelkhana headquarters, including the border force chief Gen Shakil Ahmed.

The trial is set to start any day, with the government forming six special courts on Nov 15 to try some 3,500 border guards accused in the mutiny case.

Regarding the Thursday's final resolution of the Bangabandhu murder case, 34 years after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family, she said, "No one who commits a crime is exempt from punishment."

"Justice and truth won with this verdict," she added.

Hasina vowed all such killings-including the 1975 Jail Killings of four national leaders, former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria, and Awami League MP Ahsanullah Mastar the August 21, 2004 grenade attack on an AL rally-would be tried, she said.

The Prime Minister also said her government is eager to continue its efforts to modernise the armed forces.

She said she had asked the United Nations, at the recent General Assembly in September, to take more peace-keeping troops from Bangladesh.