Miliband stresses on 'inclusive' elections
Sunday, 10 February 2008
FE Report
The United Kingdom has called for dialogue between the caretaker government and political parties to have 'inclusive elections,' making Bangladesh's democracy enduring.
"We would look to all sides to respond and participate positively in order to achieve inclusive elections and reach consensus over reforms which can sustain democracy in Bangladesh," its foreign secretary, David Miliband, said Saturday.
"The UK … supports the commitment to the process and ambition for transparent, inclusive and fair elections of the highest standard," he told a press conference in the city as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Bangladesh.
Since January 2007, the caretaker administration has crack down on corruption and carried out institutional reforms as it heads towards the year-end polls.
Referring to his official parleys with top government officials, including the Chief Adviser and Foreign Adviser, Miliband said Britain encouraged elections "at the earliest opportunity before the end of 2008."
"We support the restoration of full democratic processes as soon as feasible," he added.
About his meeting with General Moeen U Ahmed, Miliband said the Army chief told him that the armed forces would remain independent and not get involved in politics.
"Right now, Bangladesh and its people are striving to achieve a democracy that will endure. Success in this endeavour will be vital to Bangladesh's future stability and prosperity," the British foreign secretary said.
"All have a stake in this; therefore all have a responsibility towards the process of reforming and strengthening democracy."
About Britain's stakes, Miliband said Bangladesh's stability and economic growth and strong democratic institutions are the UK's interests.
Asked whether he pushed the government for lifting a state of emergency, he said it is important to withdraw it for achieving the transition to a full democracy.
"It's important to lift emergency and I think that message was received."
British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury said the issue of withdrawing nationwide emergency came up in course of discussions with the Chief Adviser, although he gave no specific date.
"We'll withdraw it (emergency) whenever it is practical," the British envoy quoted the Chief Adviser as saying.
Britain's top diplomat said in addition to aid, investment, trade and wider economic development are critical to ensuring inclusive development.
"Going beyond aid, my main agenda is to ensure an inclusive economic development for Bangladesh," he said.
Calling UK-Bangladesh relations "special", the UK foreign secretary said: "It's a new partnership different from colonial and aid-based relations.
Responding to a question how his government could streamline aid delivery as much of its aid is pocketted by bureaucrats, consultants and donor representatives, the minister said they have put in place "strict monitoring" to make sure money does not end up in wrong hands.
In his intervention, Anwar Choudhury said the nexus of 'unholy Trinity'-bureaucrats, consultants and donor representatives-has started to diminish.
He said they have recently cancelled two projects, including a communications project, on charges of corruption.
He also underscored the need for fighting extremism and terrorism, saying an inclusive society could be the best guarantor of such maladies.
The United Kingdom has called for dialogue between the caretaker government and political parties to have 'inclusive elections,' making Bangladesh's democracy enduring.
"We would look to all sides to respond and participate positively in order to achieve inclusive elections and reach consensus over reforms which can sustain democracy in Bangladesh," its foreign secretary, David Miliband, said Saturday.
"The UK … supports the commitment to the process and ambition for transparent, inclusive and fair elections of the highest standard," he told a press conference in the city as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Bangladesh.
Since January 2007, the caretaker administration has crack down on corruption and carried out institutional reforms as it heads towards the year-end polls.
Referring to his official parleys with top government officials, including the Chief Adviser and Foreign Adviser, Miliband said Britain encouraged elections "at the earliest opportunity before the end of 2008."
"We support the restoration of full democratic processes as soon as feasible," he added.
About his meeting with General Moeen U Ahmed, Miliband said the Army chief told him that the armed forces would remain independent and not get involved in politics.
"Right now, Bangladesh and its people are striving to achieve a democracy that will endure. Success in this endeavour will be vital to Bangladesh's future stability and prosperity," the British foreign secretary said.
"All have a stake in this; therefore all have a responsibility towards the process of reforming and strengthening democracy."
About Britain's stakes, Miliband said Bangladesh's stability and economic growth and strong democratic institutions are the UK's interests.
Asked whether he pushed the government for lifting a state of emergency, he said it is important to withdraw it for achieving the transition to a full democracy.
"It's important to lift emergency and I think that message was received."
British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury said the issue of withdrawing nationwide emergency came up in course of discussions with the Chief Adviser, although he gave no specific date.
"We'll withdraw it (emergency) whenever it is practical," the British envoy quoted the Chief Adviser as saying.
Britain's top diplomat said in addition to aid, investment, trade and wider economic development are critical to ensuring inclusive development.
"Going beyond aid, my main agenda is to ensure an inclusive economic development for Bangladesh," he said.
Calling UK-Bangladesh relations "special", the UK foreign secretary said: "It's a new partnership different from colonial and aid-based relations.
Responding to a question how his government could streamline aid delivery as much of its aid is pocketted by bureaucrats, consultants and donor representatives, the minister said they have put in place "strict monitoring" to make sure money does not end up in wrong hands.
In his intervention, Anwar Choudhury said the nexus of 'unholy Trinity'-bureaucrats, consultants and donor representatives-has started to diminish.
He said they have recently cancelled two projects, including a communications project, on charges of corruption.
He also underscored the need for fighting extremism and terrorism, saying an inclusive society could be the best guarantor of such maladies.