Govt attitude over release of top political leaders still unchanged: Hossain Zillur
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
The caretaker government's (CG) attitude towards releasing detained political top brass through coordinating legal process and humanitarian considerations has not yet changed, Hossain Zillur Rahman said Tuesday regarding release of ex-PM Khaleda Zia, reports UNB.
At a post-dialogue joint press briefing over Tuesday's talks between Bangladesher Shamyobadi Dol (ML) and the CG the Education Adviser called upon all concerned to join in the solution-oriented thoughts and attitudes of the government to resolve political dilemmas over transition into a qualitative change and post-election stability.
The adviser, who is acting as spokesperson for the government in the ongoing dialogue, made the statements in reply to a question regarding progress towards envisaged release of the detained BNP chairperson and former premier, Khaleda Zia, and whether the release would be given unconditionally.
His observations came a day after Khaleda Zia said she would not apply for her release, nor would she 'sign any bond to buy her freedom'.
Shamyobadi Dol proposed holding the stalled ninth parliament elections first and local-body elections effectively after the general election.
The party cleared its stand that they don't support the concept of forming any type of national government before the general election but favours government of consensus after the polls.
Its leaders sought steps so that accused corrupt and black money holders cannot contest the election. They suggested keeping the trial process of the corruption suspects on, "maintaining caution so that the corrupt cannot escape through the loopholes of the law".
On behalf of the Shamyobadi Dol, its general secretary Dilip Barua, who led a six-member delegation at the dialogue, apprised the joint-briefing session of the party's stand and proposals put forward at the talks. They placed a 29-point charter of proposal and demand during the discussion that lasted about two hours from 10:30 am at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO).
This was the 13th session of the ongoing dialogue between the interim government and political parties and different stakeholder groups.
Dilip Barua said security council could be instituted under the present constitution and under the existing structure of the governing system under elected democratic government.
Their other proposals include revival of the 1972 Constitution that they termed national charter, release of sick Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil on humanitarian grounds, announcement of specific date of general election, immediate withdrawal of state of emergency and all types of restrictions on trade-union activities and people's democratic rights, continuation of anti-corruption drive, remaining cautious so that the anti-corruption drive is not used as political weapon, and no unilateral agreement on natural resources like gas, oil and coal.
Asked about the matter of participation of the two former premiers-Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia-who are now under trial on corruption charges, Dilip Barua said the trial would decide whether they could contest the polls.
Asked whether the government's humanitarian consideration is out of the way in releasing the detained political leaders most of whom are responsible for the 1/11 changeover, Zillur said it is a matter of analysis. "We are working to attain overall qualitative political change and stability, not working with an isolated attitude," he told the journalists.
Asked about schedule of dialogue with the AL, Zillur said the party has sent the names of their representatives. The date would be fixed at a convenient time as there already remain schedules of dialogue.
Regarding dialogue with BNP, the other former ruling party of the past democratic era, he said they have invited the party and the government side is waiting with patience for their response. "The government wants to advance taking all together to make the ongoing dialogue a success."
Replying to a question regarding general election and local polls, the Education Adviser said the government and the Election Commission (EC) are advancing properly to hold the general election in right time as well as local-body elections as per roadmap.
The schedules of general election and local polls will not contradict each other.
He said that all political parties want the strengthening and empowerment of the local bodies, which is an important message for the government.
He reaffirmed that the general election, stalled following a political crisis that led to the January 11, 2007 changeover, would be held according to the announced timeframe.
Referring to the progress in election activities, he told the press about latest statistics of voter registration, saying that registration of about 80 million (8.0 crore) voters with photo has been accomplished, which is 97 per cent of the total estimated voters. The rest would be completed soon.
Zillur said that the draft representation of people order (RPO) from the EC has already reached the CAO and it would be placed before the next meeting of the council of advisers.
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed along with advisers concerned was present at the dialogue.
Communications Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Ghulam Quader, LGRD Adviser M Anwarul Iqbal, Shamyobadi Dol leaders Lutfar Rahman, Abu Hamed Shahbuddin, Biren Saha and Harun Chowdhury were present at the dialogue and the joint briefing.
At a post-dialogue joint press briefing over Tuesday's talks between Bangladesher Shamyobadi Dol (ML) and the CG the Education Adviser called upon all concerned to join in the solution-oriented thoughts and attitudes of the government to resolve political dilemmas over transition into a qualitative change and post-election stability.
The adviser, who is acting as spokesperson for the government in the ongoing dialogue, made the statements in reply to a question regarding progress towards envisaged release of the detained BNP chairperson and former premier, Khaleda Zia, and whether the release would be given unconditionally.
His observations came a day after Khaleda Zia said she would not apply for her release, nor would she 'sign any bond to buy her freedom'.
Shamyobadi Dol proposed holding the stalled ninth parliament elections first and local-body elections effectively after the general election.
The party cleared its stand that they don't support the concept of forming any type of national government before the general election but favours government of consensus after the polls.
Its leaders sought steps so that accused corrupt and black money holders cannot contest the election. They suggested keeping the trial process of the corruption suspects on, "maintaining caution so that the corrupt cannot escape through the loopholes of the law".
On behalf of the Shamyobadi Dol, its general secretary Dilip Barua, who led a six-member delegation at the dialogue, apprised the joint-briefing session of the party's stand and proposals put forward at the talks. They placed a 29-point charter of proposal and demand during the discussion that lasted about two hours from 10:30 am at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO).
This was the 13th session of the ongoing dialogue between the interim government and political parties and different stakeholder groups.
Dilip Barua said security council could be instituted under the present constitution and under the existing structure of the governing system under elected democratic government.
Their other proposals include revival of the 1972 Constitution that they termed national charter, release of sick Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil on humanitarian grounds, announcement of specific date of general election, immediate withdrawal of state of emergency and all types of restrictions on trade-union activities and people's democratic rights, continuation of anti-corruption drive, remaining cautious so that the anti-corruption drive is not used as political weapon, and no unilateral agreement on natural resources like gas, oil and coal.
Asked about the matter of participation of the two former premiers-Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia-who are now under trial on corruption charges, Dilip Barua said the trial would decide whether they could contest the polls.
Asked whether the government's humanitarian consideration is out of the way in releasing the detained political leaders most of whom are responsible for the 1/11 changeover, Zillur said it is a matter of analysis. "We are working to attain overall qualitative political change and stability, not working with an isolated attitude," he told the journalists.
Asked about schedule of dialogue with the AL, Zillur said the party has sent the names of their representatives. The date would be fixed at a convenient time as there already remain schedules of dialogue.
Regarding dialogue with BNP, the other former ruling party of the past democratic era, he said they have invited the party and the government side is waiting with patience for their response. "The government wants to advance taking all together to make the ongoing dialogue a success."
Replying to a question regarding general election and local polls, the Education Adviser said the government and the Election Commission (EC) are advancing properly to hold the general election in right time as well as local-body elections as per roadmap.
The schedules of general election and local polls will not contradict each other.
He said that all political parties want the strengthening and empowerment of the local bodies, which is an important message for the government.
He reaffirmed that the general election, stalled following a political crisis that led to the January 11, 2007 changeover, would be held according to the announced timeframe.
Referring to the progress in election activities, he told the press about latest statistics of voter registration, saying that registration of about 80 million (8.0 crore) voters with photo has been accomplished, which is 97 per cent of the total estimated voters. The rest would be completed soon.
Zillur said that the draft representation of people order (RPO) from the EC has already reached the CAO and it would be placed before the next meeting of the council of advisers.
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed along with advisers concerned was present at the dialogue.
Communications Adviser Maj Gen (Retd) Ghulam Quader, LGRD Adviser M Anwarul Iqbal, Shamyobadi Dol leaders Lutfar Rahman, Abu Hamed Shahbuddin, Biren Saha and Harun Chowdhury were present at the dialogue and the joint briefing.