Political dialogue to take place at CA's office
Govt working to make dialogue meaningful: Hossain Zillur

UNB, Dhaka

The Chief Advisor's Office (CAO) has been selected as the venue for the much-talked-about dialogue between the political parties and the caretaker government on the outcome of which depends the nation's next course of journey.
Reporters were informed on Wednesday about the government decision after a luncheon meeting of the five advisors assigned to deal with the matters of dialogue, meant for making a bailout from the long-running interim period of governance by eleven-plus technocrats following the past political crisis.
Commerce and Education Advisor Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman said the CA's office has been finalized as the venue for the talks. "Dialogue will be held at CA's office".
Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in his address to the nation Monday announced that the political dialogue would be started on May 22, aiming to forge a national consensus on the ways of transition through the coming general election. He said the polls would be held in the third week December.
The advisors' meeting was held at LGRD Advisor Anwarul Iqbal's office. The four other advisors are Communications Advisor Maj General (retd) Golam Kader, Foreign Advisor Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Law Advisor AF Hassan Ariff and Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman.
The Commerce Advisor said that invitation letters for the dialogue have already been sent to more than 20 of the political parties and the rest would be delivered by the day (today).
In sending the invitation, the lists of the political parties who participated in the dialogue with the Chief Election Commissioner and also in the pre-dialogue meetings with the government were followed.
"Keeping in mind that list of the political parties, we are sending the letters," Zillur said, adding, "We are working to make the dialogue meaningful."
He noted that all the political parties are being asked to send five names of the leaders who would join the talks.
Zillur said it is yet to be decided as to who should be invited from civil society to sit in dialogue with the government.
Bdnews24.com, Dhaka adds : The Chief Adviser's office sent out formal letters to the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Bangladesh Workers Party on Tuesday night inviting them to the forthcoming formal dialogue sessions.
The letters dispatched, however, did not mention the date or time of the dialogue. CPB general secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim and Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon confirmed with bdnews24.com Wednesday that they have received the invitation letters.
JSD president Hasanul Haque Inu said that he got the letter on Tuesday around midnight.
"But the date of the dialogue was not mentioned in the letter. We have been asked to furnish the CA's office with the names, addresses and contact numbers of a number of party leaders."
"The letter also said, the date of the dialogue would be finalised at a convenient time," Inu said.
About accepting the invitation or otherwise and the issue of attending the dialogue would be decided after the central committee meeting, he said.

AL vows to join talks only with Hasina
CA's address rejected, nationwide hunger strike May 20

Sahidul Islam Rana

The Awami League Working Committee has formally rejected Chief Adviser's address to the nation and vowed to take part in ensuing dialogue only with the AL President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Terming the address of CA Fakhruddin Ahmed as self-contradictory, unexpected and ill- motivated, the meeting also expressed grave concern saying, "The failure of the incumbent government in creating a congenial atmosphere for the talks between the Caretaker Government and the political parties - has been reflected in the address frustrating democracy-loving people of the country."
Chaired by acting AL president Zillur Rahman, the ALWC has announced a fresh action programme to press home their six-point demands including unconditional release of detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ensuring her proper treatment abroad.
The fresh demand also include: withdrawal of Emergency Power Rules and lifting of all restrictions on indoor politics, announcement of Parliamentary Polls date prior to the election of Local Government and cancellation of re-demarcation's move of 133 constituencies, trail of war criminals and declaring them illegible for any polls, arresting the price spiral of essentials, release of detained political leaders and restoration of fundamental rights of the citizens
According to meeting sources, the working committee meeting, started at 11.15am and continued till 4.50pm on Wednesday with only a lunch break, was attended by some 36 central leaders. In the meeting, almost all the participants vowed to join the talks with the Government under the leadership of Hasina. The reformists' leaders also changed their stand and were very vocal to free Hasina, detained at the makeshift jail in Parliament Complex since July 16 last year.
Briefing the newsmen after two-day-long ALWC meeting, acting AL General Secretary announced next course of action programme as per the resolution of the meeting. With the demand of Hasina's immediate and unconditional release, the AL has decided to observe 'Mass-Hunger Strike' in all divisions, districts, upazillas and unions level roots level on May 20. The capital Dhaka will not be under the purview of the Hunger Strike programme.
AL will also form a human chain to press home their demand for Hasina's release but the date will be announced later. The party will also hold an "Extended Meeting" for the next course of action on May 26, added Ashraful.
Asked whether the AL will join the dialogue or not with Hasina behind bars, the acting party general secretary avoided the question only saying, "The ALWC has reached a unanimous decision to participate in talks only with Sheikh Hasina."
Meanwhile, talking to The Bangladesh Today, AL presidium member Amir Hossain Amu hinted that AL would not participate in the dialogue with the government without Hasina.
Referring to CA's speech, he said, "AL rejected the address formally. Mentioning the possibility of holding local government polls, especially upazilla election, the Chief Adviser in his address to the nation further created confusion among the countrymen.
Replying to a query, Amu said, "We do not want to go for hartal and other street agitations to realise our demand, but if the Government compels us to do so through their works and activities, we will obviously proceed towards that as a part of the democratic movement."

  Gatco graft case
Arrest of BNP- Jamaat Bigwigs in the offing

Staff Correspondent

Following submission of charge sheets against BNP Chairpersons, her son and 22 other influential leaders of the then BNP-Jamaat alliance government in the Gatco graft case, process is going on to nab the leaders whose names have been included in the charge sheet.
As the Investigation Officer of the case appealed to the court to issue arrest warrants against former Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman, LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Heath Minister Khandaker Moshrraf Hossain, Land Minister M Shamsul Islam, Ariculture Minister MK Anwar, Commerce Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami.
Talking to this correspondent an official of Detective Branch (DB) of police said process is going to nab the persons involved in Gatco graft cases.
"As per the supreme the government's decision, we will go for legal action. Just now we are not authorised to say whether they will be arrested or not. We are waiting for the government's directives in this regard. But we can say process is going to nab them," the official added.
While talking to this correspondent Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan said, "I am ready to produce myself before the court."
On other hand, Matiur Rahman Nizami in statement said process is going on to nab him. "I know the move is on to arrest me. But I am not worried about it at all. I have faith in Allah and in the people," Nizami added.

 Analysis
What did the CA really talk about?

Mahmud ur Rahman Choudhury

In perhaps the most critical juncture in our Nations history since independence, the Chief Adviser of the Emergency Government decided to address the nation. The media hype and build-up before the address, raised people's expectations to a pitch and the address on the evening of 12 May 2008 came as a sort of anti-climax. As speeches go, it was a good speech, carefully scripted and delivered with aplomb, almost by rote or so it appeared.
As a preliminary, the ban on "indoor politics" was withdrawn hours before the speech was tele-cast; the announcement that elections would be held in the 3rd week of December 2008, came as no surprise since this government has been consistently maintaining that polls would be held by 2008 and 3rd week of December is a week away from the end of 2008; the pronouncement that certain Emergency provisions would be relaxed or suspended at the appropriate time to create an atmosphere congenial to elections and election campaigning, was also no give-away as it is self-evident that Emergency regulations do not permit political activities and without political activities, mass participation in elections are impossible and finally the declaration that a "National Charter" based on consensus, is necessary before elections to ensure qualitative changes in politics and governance, was also not unexpected as the single most important agenda of the Emergency Government now is to make sure that all political parties agree in advance to legitimize and ratify its activities and what better way to do that than to have signatures of all concerned on a "National Charter" based on "consensus".
Therefore, the two essential points in the entire speech were: one, everyone has to get used to the idea that the Emergency would remain hanging on people's heads as a Damocles' sword till the elections are over and results announced to the satisfaction of the Emergency Government although some provisions may be temporarily relaxed or suspended and two, everyone has to agree in advance to legitimize and ratify the acts and activities of the Emergency government or say good bye to free democratic processes and institutions. Hidden within the agenda of a "National Charter" are ideas of changes in the Constitution allowing for powers to the President to control the Parliament, direct Presidential control of the Armed Forces and an assured role for the military in governance and politics, a la Pakistan. Basically the entire speech of the CA was centered on these two points with the rhetoric and bluster designed to cover and cushion the real intent, like an egg yolk protected by its white.
The CA felt it necessary to "instruct" everyone on their responsibilities and duties; the political parties and politicians were advised on how they ought to behave and conduct their politics and the electorate were advised on what roles they ought to play in elections and politics but never for a moment, not once did the CA deliberate or ponder about what he ought and needs to do about the terrible conditions of our economy, society and politics or about the privations that our people are forced to suffer under the Emergency. Therefore, the CA was not addressing the Nation; he was talking to himself - that, in the ultimate judgment, will be his and his government's epitaph, if they are allowed one by the people of this Nation.

 Pro-govt reformists desperate to merge with mainstream BNP
Delwar still reluctant to take them back

Staff Correspondent

 The pro-government reformist splinter of BNP has now become desperate to merge with the mainstream while key figures of the BNP are still unwilling to take them back into the fold.
According to sources, reformists leader Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, Osman Faruk and others held a series of meetings with Hannan Shah, Nazrul Islam Khan and Goyeshwar Chandro Roy to work out how to reach a consensus on unity issue. Sources from both the camps claimed that the declaration of unity will come in a day or two.
Nazrul Islam Khan and Goyeswhar Chandro Roy claimed that whatever they are doing for the party unity is being carried out after approval from the party Secretary General Khandoker Delwar Hossain, the only person who was believed to be an obstacle to reuniting the party.
Khandoker Delwar Hossain has long been saying that there is no issue of unity in BNP. "Some leaders are derailed from the track under the instruction or under pressure from a certain quarter. They can come back after realizing and thus admitting their mistakes following due rules and regulations enshrined in the party Constitution."
About the issue of expelled Mannan Bhuiyan and Ashraf Hossain, Delwar and his cronies have been saying the issue is a matter of the party Chairperson.
It is believed that the BNP's unity was stuck at the issue of Mannan Bhuiyan and Ashraf Hossain. But now the government-backed reformist splinter is set to merge with the mainstream following any conditions given by Khandoker Delwar Hossain.
Sources said, the reformists are ready to quit their respective posts canceling the proceedings of the much-debated 29 October standing committee meeting to merge with the mainstream. Sources said, Khandoker Delwar Hossain is still unwilling to take them back into the fold. However, he is not saying anything categorically about the issue as he wants the reformists to quit their respective posts first. Then he would take decision about the issue.
When contacted, BNP's acting office Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed did not comment about the unity issue saying, "I know nothing about the issue."

 Lawyers boycott Appellate Division today
Staff Correspondent

The lawyers under the banner of the Supreme Court Bar Association will boycott the Appellate Division today to protest the judiciary's some recent decisions rejecting bails of the accused implicated in different cases under the Emergency Power Rules and giving legality to the placement of previous offences under the EPR.
The pro-Awami League and BNP lawyers joined hands together to boycott the highest court. Yesterday the SCBA by a letter informed the Chief Justice of their decision of boycotting the court from 9 am to 11 am.
According to sources, the idea of protesting the SC's recent judgments rejecting bails of Hasina, Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman and others was very much in the mind of pro-BNP and pro-AL lawyers but after Barrister Shafiq having been elected as President of the SCBA such movement got a fill up.
On May 11, all lawyers gathered at a meeting on the court premises from where they announced the programme to stay away from cases in the Appellate Division on Thursday.
They said the Appellate Division Judges violated their oath by ruling that accused in cases filed under the EPR cannot apply for bail and EPR will have retrospective effect. They criticised the Appellate Division's decisions as being contradictory to fundamental rights and rule of law.
On the other hand, as former vice chairman of Bar Council Khondkar Mahbub Hossain gave statements against lawyers' court boycott programme, SCBA President Shafiq Ahmed said, "Discussing with other officer bearers I shall take step for canceling his bar membership."

 Corruption

Shajahan Omar jailed for 13 years, Makbul's son jailed for 13 years

UNB, Dhaka

A special court on Wednesday sentenced former state minister for law Barrister Shahjahan Omar to 13 years' imprisonment for amassing wealth illegally and hiding information on his wealth to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Judge Khondker Kamal Uzzaman also fined him Tk 10 lakh, in default, to suffer one year more in prison. Omar was tried in absentia.The court ordered confiscation of his property worth Tk 2.6 crore to the state coffers.
"The sentences will come into effect after his arrest or surrender to the court, say's the court order.
Another special court jailed former Awami League MP Makbul Hossain's son Masudur Rahman for 13 years for similar charge. He was also tried in absentia.
Judge Sirajul Islam also fined him Tk 10 lakh in default to suffer one year more in jail. The court ordered confiscation of his property worth over five crore.
On May 6 a special court sentenced Makbul to 13 years imprisonment for amassing wealth illegally and concealing information about his wealth. His wife Fatema Tahera Khanom was also jailed for three years for aiding and abetting her husband in protecting the ill-gotten property.

 Niko graft suit
Hasina and others asked to appear before court on May 21

Staff Correspondent

The Metropolitan Special Judge' Court has directed Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and other co-accuseds to appear before it on May 21 in connection with Niko graft case.
Although the prosecution was directed to produce Sheikh Hasina, former state minister for power Prof. Rafiqul Islam and former power secretary Toufique-e-Elahi Chowdhury but the prosecution failed to do so. Even the prosecution could not assign any reason why the accuseds were not produced.
Thereafter, Judge Md Azizul Haque ordered the concerned authority to publish in different dailies asking six absconding accuseds to appear before the court on May 21. It also directed the jail authority to produce three detained accuseds Sheikh Hasina, professor Rafiqul Islam and former power secretary Toufique-e-Elahi Chowdhury on the stipulated date. The fugitive accuseds in the case are Dr SA Samad, Akmal Hossain, Mosharraf Hossain, Dr AKM Mashiur Rahman, Syed Anwarul Haq and Kashem Sharif of Niko. They were prosecuted under the penal code 409/109/511 and section 5(2) of the Corruption Prevention Act, 1947. The provision of Emergency Power Rules has not been invoked in the case.
After receiving charge sheet, the court ordered for issuance of arrest warrant against the five absconding accused: Dr Kamal Siddiqui, CM Yusuf Hossain, Mir
Moinul Haque, Shafiur Rahman and Kashem Sharif. The court asked the prosecutor to produce them on May 13.
Meanwhile, on May 5, the ACC submitted charge sheet against Khaldea Zia and 10 others in the same Niko scam case for incurring a loss of Tk 13,777 crore to the state.

  BD an important player in many int'l issues: Anwar Chy
UNB, Dhaka

Outgoing British High Commissioner Anwar Chowdhury on Wednesday said Bangladesh has become an important international player in many international issues like climate change, counterterrorism and migration.
He observed that UK values Bangladesh's partnership, as its intellectual and moral values are important to the United Kingdom.
The High Commissioner made the remarks while he paid a farewell call on Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at the CA's office.
The Chief Adviser appreciated the contributions of the outgoing High Commissioner in expanding multifaceted relations between the two countries and congratulated him for successfully completing his tenure in Bangladesh.
He mentioned that a number of high level visits took place between the two countries during the tenure of the High Commissioner, which helped to further deepen the bilateral relation between Dhaka and London and taking it into new heights.
Dr Fakhruddin said Bangladesh can share its experiences in women empowerment and poverty alleviation with whoever in the world so wants.
The High Commissioner said Bangladesh and UK have now a strategic partnership. Three UK Ministers would visit Bangladesh within next six months, he informed.