This government is product of foreign engineered conspiracy : Dr. Musharraf
Army being crippled as part of the plot, he says

Staff Correspondent

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Khandoker Musharraf Hossain has alleged a conspiracy is going on to cripple the army and thus destroy the country.
"As part of this conspiracy, army officers were killed in Pilkhana and subsequently some other army officers were terminated on different pretexts," he said at a roundtable discussion on "Palassy Tragedy and Today's Bangladesh" at the National Press Club on Friday.
Organised by Bangladesh Nagorik Samaj and presided over by Justice Abdur Rouf, the roundtable was also addressed by BNP leader and former Wing Commander Hamidullah Khan, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Kamaruzzaman and Jatiyaganatantrik Party President Safiul Alam Pradhan.
The conspiracy which resulted in the emergence of 1/11 is still continuing and this government is the product of that foreign engineered conspiracy, he added.
He further said that one of the ulterior motives of this conspiracy is to make the army dysfunctional as the country would be destroyed if it can be done.
Referring to the Tipaimukh issue, Khandoker Musharraf said it will not be possible to do anything once construction of the Tipaimukh Dam is completed. So, whatever is necessary has to be done right now.
He further alleged that the government is trying to give corridor to India at a time when people of the country are worried about the Tipaimukh Dam.
The BNP leader also alleged that the process of de-politicisation which was initiated after 1/11 is still in progress.
Justice Abdur Rouf underscored the need for unity among people to resist conspiracy against the country. "All will have to be united and work together to safeguard the interest of the country," he said.
Kamaruzzaman said that present conspiracy is similar to that which was forged in case of Palassy, adding "The role of Moin-U-Ahmed after 1/11 is synonymous with the betrayal of army chief in Palassy."
Congratulating Foreign Minister Dipu Moni for her statement that the Indian High Commissioner has crossed limits, he demanded her resignation for her inability to settle the issue.

 Poisoning of food served to Hasina in prison
Dr Modasser suspects involvement of ex-advisers Mainul, Matin

UNB, Dhaka

Health adviser to the Prime Minister Prof Dr Modasser Ali also now alleged that poison was mixed with the food served to Sheikh Hasina while imprisoned in a sub-jail during the immediate-past caretaker government.
"When she (PM) was in prison, I had several times tried to collect her blood sample for diagnosis, but they (govt) barred me from doing so," he told reporters after attending a programme on the National Birth Registration Day 2009 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city.
Modesser Ali said when Sheikh Hasina was taken to Square Hospital for treatment, the inspector general of prisons and his deputy had said that her personal doctors would treat her. "But the following day they did not allow us to enter the hospital," he said.
He informed that Sheikh Hasina was suffering from some allergy problems which might result in losing her hair. A noted eye specialist, Prof Modasser suspected the involvement of Barrister Mainul Hosein and Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin, two former advisers to the caretaker government, along with DIG (prisons) Maj Shamsul Haider Siddiqui in the poison episode. Deputy Leader of the House in Parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury had first dropped the bombshell when she said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was fed poisoned food while she was in prison during the 2007-08 military-installed interim regime.
Addressing the birth-registration function Health Minister Prof Dr AFM Ruhal Haque said birth registration programme would be forwarded building cooperation between Local Government Division and the Health Ministry.
He hoped that ensuring birth registration for all within June 30, 2010 would be possible through making proper coordination of country' s all vaccination centers, community clinics and health complexes.

 AL presidium to decide date of party council today
Staff Correspondent

The Awami League presidium members meets at the party president Dhanmondi's political office in the capital today (Saturday) with the Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
With a view to gearing up party activities - specially relating to the forthcoming national council session, the ruling Awami League is supposed to take some important organisational decisions in the meeting beginning at 6pm today.
About the significance
of the AL Presidium meeting, the AL Spokesman and LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam said, "Some vital political decisions
with regards to party's forthcoming national council are expected to be taken today."
He said the date of the party national council will be decided in the party and announced subsequently.
"Besides, the meeting will discuss many other prevailing burning issues including extension of time limit in line with requirements of Election Commission which will end on July 25 as per Representation of the Peoples Order (RPO) Ordinance-2009," he added.
Talking to The Bangladesh Today, Awami League presidium member Abdur Razzak said, "Different political and socio-economic situation is likely to be given priority in the meeting. Discussion on the party's political activities, progress of work on amendment to the party constitution and manifesto will be discussed in the meeting."
Party insiders said, today's working committee meeting is expected to review the progress of relief operation and rehabilitation of the recent Aila-victims across the country. Besides, some other important issues -would get priority."
The meeting would also nominate the acting Awami League President as the Party Chief Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to her four-day official tour to Egypt from July 14, said another highly placed sources in the party.
Meanwhile, party's rank and file is eagerly waiting for the decision of today's Presidium meeting regarding the upcoming AL national council session, which is due since long.

  Ctg port to introduce CTMS for automated container handling

UNB, Dhaka

Chittagong Port, the lifeline of the national economy, is going to introduce computerized Container Terminal Management System (CTMS) in a bid to streamline its operations.
"Once implemented, the project will boost its capacity as a world-class port in the truest sense. It'll be nice to have more technological development," a port official said.
As part of the government's port modernization plan, the project titled 'Container Terminal Management System' is likely to be implemented by the middle of 2010 bringing all container terminals under a single network which will surely bring wider facilities for the port users through ensuring transparency in all steps of container delivery, officials said. The system, the officials said, will automatically monitor the entire process of container delivery-from arrival to release-apart from preparing invoice bills.
The port users or owners of containers will be able to pay bills from their offices through the online system.
ST Electronics, Singapore, Navis America and Psion Teklogix are jointly working on the technology-based project funded by the Asian Development Bank.
Navis, the world's first company to automate marine terminal operating systems (TOS) and improve productivity, velocity and visibility of cargo movement through port, has been assigned to do the major job.
CTMS is a total system package developed on the basis of technology through system integration for container terminals using information technology. The most optimal system is available by configuring subsystems and modules to match any scale of container terminal. Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Commodore RU Ahmed told UNB correspondent AKM Moinuddin that the system would make the port operation more efficient and ensure cent percent transparency in container handling.
"We've made a good progress and hope the project will be implemented by the middle of 2010 and it'll ensure a more competitive and attractive container terminal operation," he said. Among the three assigned companies, Psion Teklogix while Canada on networking system, ST Electronics; Singapore on system integration and Navis America will provide the software for the system. "It's a software-based system, 80 percent of the system is based on software while the remaining on hardware," the
project director said.
Currently, Chittagong Port is handling over 10 lakh TEUs containers each year and it has already ensured its entry into the list of the world's millionaire ports by enhancing its capacity.

   Delwar urges JCD activists to maintain unity
BSS, Dhaka

BNP Secretary General Khondaker Delwar Hossain on Friday said Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has started re- organising the party through formation of BNP's district convening committees and central body of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the BNP's student wing.
He called for strengthening the leadership of the newly- formed JCD central committee and maintaining unity at all level.
The BNP secretary general was talking to reporters after placing wreaths at the mazar of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Banglanagar along with the leaders of the newly-formed JCD central committee.
JCD President Sultan Salauddin Tuku, General Secretary Amirul Islam Khan Alim, Senior Vice-President Shahidul Islam Babul, Joint Secretary Amiruzzaman Khan Shimul and Organising Secretary Anisur Rahman Khokan, among others, placed the wreaths under the leadership of the BNP secretary general.
They also offered 'munajat' for eternal peace of the departed soul of Ziaur Rahman.
BNP Office Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, Juba Dal Organising Secretary Khairul Kabir Khokan, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny, MP, former MP Nazim Uddin Alam, former JCD President Shahabuddin Laltu, outgoing JCD President Azizul Bari Helal and outgoing JCD General Secretary Shafiul Bari Babu, among others, were present.
Describing the JCD as one of the biggest student organisations in the country, the BNP secretary general said there are competitions for leadership in the organisation.
He urged the JCD members to remain united at all levels and work in the interest of the party.
Delwar hoped that the newly-formed central committee would evaluate the devoted and sacrificing leaders from top to the grassroots level.
The new JCD president said the BNP chairperson has announced the names of only five leaders of the 101-member central committee.
The full-fledged committee would be formed incorporating the tested and efficient leaders, he said and sought cooperation of all in this regard.

  Initiatives taken to identify criminals living abroad: FM
UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Friday said the government has taken initiatives to identify the notorious criminals living abroad.
"I'll ask Bangladeshi ambassadors and high commissioners to different countries to submit reports on how many culprits are living there," she told a seminar titled 'First NRB Manpower Development and Opportunities Conference 2009' at a city hotel.
Scholars Bangladesh and the Human Capital Development Limited jointly organised the seminar which was moderated by former Ambassador Muhammad Zamir.
Two Bangladeshi expatriates living in Saudi Arabia-Dr Arifur Rahman and Fakhrul Bashar Masum-spoke on the occasion.
They alleged that some terrorists and JMB activists who went to Saudi Arabia undercover of migrant workers are tarnishing the image of Bangladesh.
The Foreign Minister also talked about various
problems of Bangladeshi expatriates and ways of resolving those.
She said migration cost is much higher in Bangladesh which is tantamount to exploitation of workers.
Dipu Moni, however, assured that the government would take necessary steps to set free migrant workers from the clutches of middlemen.
The seminar also underscored the need for special pension scheme and database facilities for the expatriates.
Masud Aziz, former ambassador, AH Mahmood Ali, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign ministry, Prof CR Abrar of Dhaka University and Golam Mostofa, president of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies, also spoke on the occasion.

  Marines in ‘hell of a fight’ in Afghanistan
AFP, Garmsir, Afghanistan

US Marines are in a "hell of a fight" as they storm into Taliban strongholds during a major assault in Afghanistan, their commanding officer said Friday.
Nearly 4,000 Marines launched the operation Thursday in parts of the southern province of Helmand, suffering their first fatality in a pivotal test of President Barack Obama's aggressive new strategy against the Taliban.
The 1/5 Infantry Battalion met only light resistance in their push south and had already been able to meet locals at shuras (councils), Brigadier General Larry Nicholson said, speaking to a convoy with which AFP was travelling.
But "for 2/8 there is a hell of a fight going on in the southern quarter of the sector," the top Marine said on arrival at Garmsir, a town along the Helmand River that was a key objective for the offensive.
"2/8 are going to face some challenges," he said. The Marines were in an area called Toshtay about 25 kilometres (16 miles) south of Garmsir.
Commanders said they would persuade locals that the Afghan security forces-backed by Western troops-offered them a better long-term future than the fundamentalist Taliban militia as Afghanistan braces for elections next month.
On Thursday Marines were inserted into Garmsir and Nawa with little resistance, and quickly overran Khanishin further south where the Taliban had set up a proxy government and justice system. But they also recorded their first death in an air and land assault that is the Marines' biggest operation since in Fallujah in Iraq in November 2004.
"We lost a man yesterday," Nicholson confirmed. "Any Marine casualty is a terrible thing."
Troops had on Thursday destroyed a militant position in Garmsir, the commander said after a nearly two-hour drive through the desert from Camp Dwyer.