People are happy with administration: Moeen

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NEW YORK, Oct 19 (bdnews24.com): General Moeen U Ahmed has said the interim government backed by the armed forces is not a "shaky" one as he says people are "happy" with the administration, report Moinuddin Naser and Manjurul Islam.
"Why do you think we are shaky? Do you live in Bangladesh? We are open enough to accept the opinion of others. It does not mean that we are shaky," the Army Chief said to a questioner as he relied to the queries from expatriate Bangladeshi reporters in New York.
"People are happy (with us)."
Moeen met local community journalists at the Office of Bangladesh Consulate General in New York Thursday evening (New York time). the Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ismat Jahan and Consul General Shamsul Haque were present at the meeting.
Moeen arrived in the United States Wednesday from London and is expected to deliver a lecture at Harvard University.
Replying to a question about the likelihood of his being president of the country, he said the statement he had delivered in London was wrongly quoted by the press.
Moeen emphasised that he had never said he did not want to be the president of the country, rather he said he "had no intention" to become the president.
Replying to a query whether he was in New York as a campaigner, protector or theoretician of the present government, he initially gave a broad smile and humbly said: "I am nothing of the government."
He said the government had nothing personal against two former prime ministers.
"We could set up a military tribunal to try them. But we didn't do so because we want to deliver justice," he said. "Justice should not be denied."
He said the army could take over in the wake of the chaos before January 11 when President Iajuddin Ahmed declared a state of emergency to quell weeks of street violence over political reforms.
"But we didn't go by that. We helped install the caretaker government," he said.
BSS adds: Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed said the army as part of the government is playing its due role to conduct a free, fair and neutral election for a corruption-free Bangladesh.
"We the army are not governing the country. Like other government bodies, we are just part of the government," he said while exchanging views with journalists at the Bangladesh Consulate office in New York.
Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ismat Jahan, Consul General M. Shamsul Haque, Defence Advisor to the Bangladesh Embassy Brigadier General Nuruzzaman and Defence Adviser of the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN Brigadier General Ilyas Iftekhar Rasul were present at the meeting.
Gen Moeen said: "Some people want martial law and even insisting on imposition of martial law despite the fact I have repeatedly made clear the position of the army, which, as part of the government, is playing a very important role supplementing the government's efforts for conducting a free, fair and neutral election."
The Election Commission is preparing the voter list speedily with the help of the army, he said.
"We did not impose martial law, and also not part of the power. We are just doing our duty by helping the government to face natural disasters and eliminate corruption," Gen Moeen said adding that corruption should end for forever as in the past it had destroyed democracy.
Replying to a question, the army chief said the government has respect for both Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangabandhu and Begum Khaleda Zia, wife of President Zia, who are now in jail on charges of corruption.
"We have no malice against them. They are detained on charges of corruption. It's a matter of law. If they are proved innocent -- welcome," he said.
Gen Moeen said the prime goal of the present government is to quickly make the country free from corruption for establishing democracy in the country.
The army chief urged all to work for the country from their respective positions. "We must find out good people to lead our nation. We must remove corrupt people from politics, business and from all walks of life for a bright future," he added.
Gen Moeen said establishment of an active and neutral Election Commission and an independent and effective Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) are the major successes of the caretaker government. Now the government is actively considering the proposal for setting up a truth commission, he added.
He said the present government is respectful to public opinion. "It takes into cognisance any mistakes when pointed out. Human rights situation has improved significantly in recent times."
"After completion of my service in the army, I want to go on retirement peacefully. But I shall continue my efforts for the welfare of the people," Gen Moeen said replying to another question.
UNB adds: Dr. Srgjan Kerim, President of the 62nd Session of the UN General Assembly, has appreciated Bangladesh's strong role in various sectors of the United Nations including the UN peacekeeping operations.
He made this remark when Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed met with him at the UN Headquarters at the General Assembly's Executive Office Thursday afternoon.
General Moeen congratulated Dr. Kerim on assuming the Presidentship of the 62nd Session of the General Assembly. He expressed his confidence that under Dr. Kerim's leadership, the General Assembly would gain more pace this year in its proceedings.
The Army Chief highlighted the fact that Bangladesh is one of the top Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) of the UN Peacekeeping Operations with around 10,000 personnel deployed at present.
He stressed the need for more representation of Bangladesh at the decision making level of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) of the United Nations in both the Headquarters and the Field Missions.
Dr. Kerim, who is from Macedonia, recalled the excellent performance of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in his neighbouring country, Bosnia-Herzegovina. He also praised the role of Bangladeshi Peacekeepers in Kosovo.
They also discussed challenges faced by the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur, Sudan, where a big number of Bangladeshi Peacekeepers are deployed right now.
General Moeen invited Dr. Kerim to visit Bangladesh at his convenient time. Dr. Kerim accepted the invitation and assured him that he would sincerely try to visit Bangladesh sometime next year.
General Moeen reassured Dr. Kerim of the continuation of Bangladesh's strong commitment towards UN Peacekeeping Operations.
Ambassador Ismat Jahan, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations and Brigadier General Ilyas Iftekhar Rasul, Defense Adviser of the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations, were present.
Earlier, Ambassador Jahan hosted a lunch in honour of the visiting Army Chief, which was also attended by senior officials of the UN Peacekeeping Operations.