Govt has to play 'referee' in Hasina-Khaleda talks: AL
Friday, 14 November 2008
Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina can sit with BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, if the meeting is arranged on specific agenda and the government plays its part as "referee" to moderate the talks, AL said Thursday, report UNB and bdnews24.com.
The AL also would like the crisis-resolution talks between the two former premiers and political archrivals telecast live on television channels and radios, and also held in presence of print-media journalists.
"We do not want the Sheikh Hasina-Khaleda Zia meeting is held behind closed doors. The whole nation should watch the two leaders' meeting and talks," said AL spokesman Syed Ashraful Islam.
He came up with the latest proposals a day after the two longtime power contenders expressed their readiness to sit, as foreign diplomats played the go-between in order to break the latest deadlock over the coming national election, which was cancelled in January last year amid a confrontation between the two rival political camps.
The AL leader was briefing journalists after Chinese ambassador Zheng Qingdian met Awami League president and ex-PM Sheikh Hasina at her Sudha Sadan residence in the morning.
The Chinese envoy also talked to BNP chairperson and immediate-past PM Khaleda Zia Wednesday, when she agreed to sit with Hasina for an open-ended dialogue sans any condition.
Meanwhile, Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman Thursday said the government is ready to act as a catalyst for the meeting between Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia.
"The government is ready to reciprocate positively in this regard, as the two political leaders have shown eagerness," he told reporters after attending a workshop at BRAC Centre in the morning. "We will take any initiative for the sake of the countrymen," he said.
The two former prime ministers have barely spoken to each other in the past 17 years.
"The government will take the initiative to get the two top leaders meet and talk with a view to helping the nation overcome the current political stalemate through restoration of constructive political practices," Hossain Zillur told reporters on Sept 11 after Khaleda was released on bail from prison.
"We hope they will not only respond to this move but also take initiatives on their own, since the two leaders have contributed a lot to the country," he added.
Syed Ashraful Islam, on the talks, also said people must be allowed to know openly on what issues the two top leaders agree and disagree and what their thinking and plans are about the country's democracy, politics, and economic and social development after transition to democracy.
Asked about the BNP stand on the meet without any precondition, Ashraful said seeking agenda is not a condition.
"Specific agenda in the talks between the two former prime ministers are a must. We also want the caretaker government to play the role of 'referee' in the talks," the AL spokesperson said.
To a question as to when the much-expected Hasina-Khaleda talks can take place, he said after getting formal proposal from the government the Awami League working committee would sit and take the final decision. "We are waiting for a formal proposal with specific agenda," he said.
Ashraful Islam also presented some topics and issues as probable part of their desired agenda.
"Consensus on contesting the December 18 polls can be a topic of the talks, they can also discuss how a proper election environment can be created. Moreover, the anti-corruption drive and reform of the constitutional institutions can be part of the agenda," Ashraful said.
"Besides, the two leaders in the meeting can reach a consensus that whoever be the ruling party or the opposition after the election, no hartal will be called," he further said.
Asked whether the government contacted Awami League for arranging the Hasina-Khaleda parley, Ashraful Islam said the government side had not communicated with Awami League on this purpose in recent times.
"But when our leader (Sheikh Hasina) was in the US, the government had contacted her, and she had said if got formal proposal the issue would be raised in the AL working committee meeting to take decision," Ashraful Islam said.
He said now Awami League's concentration is to finalise the nomination for candidature for the December 18 polls, and after the nomination process ends on November 15, they would go to the field level for election campaign.
The Awami League spokesman also said the general election must be held on December 18 as per schedule, saying that country's future will be uncertain if it is not held on time.
"Country's economy, politics, mass media and development in every sector will be severely harmed, if the election is not held within the month of December this year," he said.
The AL also would like the crisis-resolution talks between the two former premiers and political archrivals telecast live on television channels and radios, and also held in presence of print-media journalists.
"We do not want the Sheikh Hasina-Khaleda Zia meeting is held behind closed doors. The whole nation should watch the two leaders' meeting and talks," said AL spokesman Syed Ashraful Islam.
He came up with the latest proposals a day after the two longtime power contenders expressed their readiness to sit, as foreign diplomats played the go-between in order to break the latest deadlock over the coming national election, which was cancelled in January last year amid a confrontation between the two rival political camps.
The AL leader was briefing journalists after Chinese ambassador Zheng Qingdian met Awami League president and ex-PM Sheikh Hasina at her Sudha Sadan residence in the morning.
The Chinese envoy also talked to BNP chairperson and immediate-past PM Khaleda Zia Wednesday, when she agreed to sit with Hasina for an open-ended dialogue sans any condition.
Meanwhile, Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman Thursday said the government is ready to act as a catalyst for the meeting between Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia.
"The government is ready to reciprocate positively in this regard, as the two political leaders have shown eagerness," he told reporters after attending a workshop at BRAC Centre in the morning. "We will take any initiative for the sake of the countrymen," he said.
The two former prime ministers have barely spoken to each other in the past 17 years.
"The government will take the initiative to get the two top leaders meet and talk with a view to helping the nation overcome the current political stalemate through restoration of constructive political practices," Hossain Zillur told reporters on Sept 11 after Khaleda was released on bail from prison.
"We hope they will not only respond to this move but also take initiatives on their own, since the two leaders have contributed a lot to the country," he added.
Syed Ashraful Islam, on the talks, also said people must be allowed to know openly on what issues the two top leaders agree and disagree and what their thinking and plans are about the country's democracy, politics, and economic and social development after transition to democracy.
Asked about the BNP stand on the meet without any precondition, Ashraful said seeking agenda is not a condition.
"Specific agenda in the talks between the two former prime ministers are a must. We also want the caretaker government to play the role of 'referee' in the talks," the AL spokesperson said.
To a question as to when the much-expected Hasina-Khaleda talks can take place, he said after getting formal proposal from the government the Awami League working committee would sit and take the final decision. "We are waiting for a formal proposal with specific agenda," he said.
Ashraful Islam also presented some topics and issues as probable part of their desired agenda.
"Consensus on contesting the December 18 polls can be a topic of the talks, they can also discuss how a proper election environment can be created. Moreover, the anti-corruption drive and reform of the constitutional institutions can be part of the agenda," Ashraful said.
"Besides, the two leaders in the meeting can reach a consensus that whoever be the ruling party or the opposition after the election, no hartal will be called," he further said.
Asked whether the government contacted Awami League for arranging the Hasina-Khaleda parley, Ashraful Islam said the government side had not communicated with Awami League on this purpose in recent times.
"But when our leader (Sheikh Hasina) was in the US, the government had contacted her, and she had said if got formal proposal the issue would be raised in the AL working committee meeting to take decision," Ashraful Islam said.
He said now Awami League's concentration is to finalise the nomination for candidature for the December 18 polls, and after the nomination process ends on November 15, they would go to the field level for election campaign.
The Awami League spokesman also said the general election must be held on December 18 as per schedule, saying that country's future will be uncertain if it is not held on time.
"Country's economy, politics, mass media and development in every sector will be severely harmed, if the election is not held within the month of December this year," he said.