Emergency rules can be further relaxed: CA
Monday, 28 July 2008
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed said Sunday the government, if necessary, will consider further relaxation of emergency power rules for carrying out campaign in the upcoming local-body elections, reports UNB.
The Chief Adviser (CA) made the remark during a courtesy call by the new British high commissioner in Bangladesh, Stephen Evans, at the CA's Office.
The United Kingdom (UK) will send election observers for the August 4 elections to city corporations and municipalities in Bangladesh, Mr Evans told the Chief Adviser.
The British high commissioner said that they had already received an invitation letter from the Election Commission (EC) and would send election observers along with the European Union (EU).
During the meeting, Dr Fakhruddin, the head of the caretaker government, said that emergency power rules had already been relaxed allowing campaign for the elections to four city corporations and nine municipalities on August 4.
The government was further reviewing it and would take steps accordingly, he said.
Mr Evans appreciated the caretaker government's reform activities as well as completion of voter lists with photographs of a large number of voters and termed it an incredible job done in so short a time.
The Chief Adviser said reforms had been carried out to give a strong foundation for a strong democracy.
As the matter of climate change came up in the meeting, the British envoy said the UK would provide 50 million pounds to Bangladesh to address adversities of climate change.
Holding of the conference on climate change in London also featured in the meeting.
The Chief Adviser mentioned that Bangladesh was the worst sufferer of climate change. He said on short term, the country could handle any kind of natural calamities but for mid- and long-term measures it needed international assistance particularly for infrastructures and strong permanent embankments.
Dr Fakhruddin recalled his meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London when the climate change issue was discussed.
He said relation between Bangladesh and the UK was multifaceted and the two countries could work closely in the fields of economy, trade and counter-terrorism.
Bangladesh's stand against terrorism was strong, he said, mentioning that not a single bomb was exploded and a single bullet fired in last one and half years in Bangladesh.
The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh wanted access for its products to the UK market. After Japan, the UK is the big bilateral donor of Bangladesh.
Mr Evans said the two-way flow of trade between the two countries continued to be good. Bangladeshi community in the UK was contributing economically, culturally and politically, he added.
He said Bangladesh was doing better economically and socially compared to other developing countries and its economic growth was impressive.
Mr Evans, who was once in Bangladesh in 1991, said bilateral relations between the two countries continued to change for better.
Having informed that a British minister is likely to visit Bangladesh Thursday (July 31), the Chief Adviser said such high level visit was an indication of good relations between the two countries.
He said Bangladesh was steadily doing well in economic growth. Despite various problems, the country attained the UN millennium development goal (MDG) in gender parity in primary and secondary schools and women empowerment.
Dr Fakhruddin expressed the hope that Bangladesh would move into a mid-income group country in next 15 years.
The UK's cooperation for development of Bangladesh catering industry was also discussed in the meeting.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim, who was present at the meeting, briefed newsmen afterwards.
The Chief Adviser (CA) made the remark during a courtesy call by the new British high commissioner in Bangladesh, Stephen Evans, at the CA's Office.
The United Kingdom (UK) will send election observers for the August 4 elections to city corporations and municipalities in Bangladesh, Mr Evans told the Chief Adviser.
The British high commissioner said that they had already received an invitation letter from the Election Commission (EC) and would send election observers along with the European Union (EU).
During the meeting, Dr Fakhruddin, the head of the caretaker government, said that emergency power rules had already been relaxed allowing campaign for the elections to four city corporations and nine municipalities on August 4.
The government was further reviewing it and would take steps accordingly, he said.
Mr Evans appreciated the caretaker government's reform activities as well as completion of voter lists with photographs of a large number of voters and termed it an incredible job done in so short a time.
The Chief Adviser said reforms had been carried out to give a strong foundation for a strong democracy.
As the matter of climate change came up in the meeting, the British envoy said the UK would provide 50 million pounds to Bangladesh to address adversities of climate change.
Holding of the conference on climate change in London also featured in the meeting.
The Chief Adviser mentioned that Bangladesh was the worst sufferer of climate change. He said on short term, the country could handle any kind of natural calamities but for mid- and long-term measures it needed international assistance particularly for infrastructures and strong permanent embankments.
Dr Fakhruddin recalled his meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London when the climate change issue was discussed.
He said relation between Bangladesh and the UK was multifaceted and the two countries could work closely in the fields of economy, trade and counter-terrorism.
Bangladesh's stand against terrorism was strong, he said, mentioning that not a single bomb was exploded and a single bullet fired in last one and half years in Bangladesh.
The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh wanted access for its products to the UK market. After Japan, the UK is the big bilateral donor of Bangladesh.
Mr Evans said the two-way flow of trade between the two countries continued to be good. Bangladeshi community in the UK was contributing economically, culturally and politically, he added.
He said Bangladesh was doing better economically and socially compared to other developing countries and its economic growth was impressive.
Mr Evans, who was once in Bangladesh in 1991, said bilateral relations between the two countries continued to change for better.
Having informed that a British minister is likely to visit Bangladesh Thursday (July 31), the Chief Adviser said such high level visit was an indication of good relations between the two countries.
He said Bangladesh was steadily doing well in economic growth. Despite various problems, the country attained the UN millennium development goal (MDG) in gender parity in primary and secondary schools and women empowerment.
Dr Fakhruddin expressed the hope that Bangladesh would move into a mid-income group country in next 15 years.
The UK's cooperation for development of Bangladesh catering industry was also discussed in the meeting.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim, who was present at the meeting, briefed newsmen afterwards.