Emergency should be lifted carefully: German envoy
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Suggesting pre-poll reforms for sustainable democracy in Bangladesh, German Ambassador Frank Meyke Monday said, the state of emergency should be lifted carefully calibrated to progress on the election roadmap, reports UNB.
Talking to a group of journalists from print and electronic media at his residence, he particularly stressed reform within the political parties to ensure internal democratisation of choosing leadership as well as establishing transparency in operation of party funds.
The European diplomat also called for showing responsibility by both the caretaker government and the parties to ensure free and fair elections and sustainable democracy after the polls.
He praised the courageous role of the army after the January 11 changeover, and also hoped for similar courageous role on part of the politicians to bring about reforms within their parties "to make future democracy effective and sustainable."
Asked about transparency in corruption cases filed against two top politicians - Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, the Ambassador made it clear that they do not support individuals but support institutions. They, however, stand for following the due process of law to be applied in each case.
Meyke hinted that a fund of half a million Euros is earmarked from his government for promoting the idea of bringing about reforms within the parties in Bangladesh through consultation, if the parties want to do so.
He said, a detailed work plan could be figured out in consultation with UNDP to utilise the political development funds - a gratis meant for helping the country avert a repeat of the past political crisis.
The German Ambassador welcomed the planned dialogue between the government and the political parties to work out "best ways to make democracy sustainable and attain economic progress of the country."
He said, Germany is supportive of the caretaker government's initiatives to hold a free and fair election according to the Election Commission's roadmap.
Hans-Hinrich Schnelle, First Secretary and Head of Development Cooperation, told the journalists that the German government has been pursuing a number of projects in health and nutrition, energy and good-governance sectors.
He said, the German government is also planning to initiate a pilot project in a couple of months in cooperation with Bangladesh government in three prisons of the country on how to reduce the overcrowding problem in jails.
Both Ambassador Meyke and Schnelle said, the government-to-government bilateral negotiations would take place on April 20-21 on German assistance to Bangladesh.
Since 1976, Germany has provided grants of Euro 2.1 billion to support various programmes in Bangladesh. Besides, Germany provided another dollop of Euro 2.0 billion through multilateral organisations like the EU, World Bank, IMF and ADB to support various development projects in the country.
Talking to a group of journalists from print and electronic media at his residence, he particularly stressed reform within the political parties to ensure internal democratisation of choosing leadership as well as establishing transparency in operation of party funds.
The European diplomat also called for showing responsibility by both the caretaker government and the parties to ensure free and fair elections and sustainable democracy after the polls.
He praised the courageous role of the army after the January 11 changeover, and also hoped for similar courageous role on part of the politicians to bring about reforms within their parties "to make future democracy effective and sustainable."
Asked about transparency in corruption cases filed against two top politicians - Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, the Ambassador made it clear that they do not support individuals but support institutions. They, however, stand for following the due process of law to be applied in each case.
Meyke hinted that a fund of half a million Euros is earmarked from his government for promoting the idea of bringing about reforms within the parties in Bangladesh through consultation, if the parties want to do so.
He said, a detailed work plan could be figured out in consultation with UNDP to utilise the political development funds - a gratis meant for helping the country avert a repeat of the past political crisis.
The German Ambassador welcomed the planned dialogue between the government and the political parties to work out "best ways to make democracy sustainable and attain economic progress of the country."
He said, Germany is supportive of the caretaker government's initiatives to hold a free and fair election according to the Election Commission's roadmap.
Hans-Hinrich Schnelle, First Secretary and Head of Development Cooperation, told the journalists that the German government has been pursuing a number of projects in health and nutrition, energy and good-governance sectors.
He said, the German government is also planning to initiate a pilot project in a couple of months in cooperation with Bangladesh government in three prisons of the country on how to reduce the overcrowding problem in jails.
Both Ambassador Meyke and Schnelle said, the government-to-government bilateral negotiations would take place on April 20-21 on German assistance to Bangladesh.
Since 1976, Germany has provided grants of Euro 2.1 billion to support various programmes in Bangladesh. Besides, Germany provided another dollop of Euro 2.0 billion through multilateral organisations like the EU, World Bank, IMF and ADB to support various development projects in the country.