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EDITORIAL
Flood succour: Too little, too late
Even after two weeks since the onrush of floodwater from upstream inundated many parts of the country, the affected masses are still largely helpless, while the disadvantaged hungry millions are crying for a little food for sheer survival which is too inadequate to meet their requirement. The so-called much-vaunted 'civil society' -- which feels its role in social uplift is indispensable -- is rather conspicuous in its long silence. Our think tank-centred intellectuals too seem exhausted of their topics that focus on electoral, constitutional and political issues of the masses, some three-fourths of whose survival is in real danger.
Though the country boasts over 1500 NGOs -- whose avowed goal is to provide people's safety net -- their activities are not visible at this time of catastrophe and wretchedness of the starving displaced multitude which is being elaborately covered by the media - both electronic and print.
However, belated though, the CA's address to the nation has called for concerted effort to face the devastating calamity.
Contingency plans, in common parlance, are supposed to be taken up and implemented as soon as an unforeseen calamity or a disaster strikes; and forthwith action starts through the administrative network extending up to Upazila level and further down to rural self-government setups -- in our case command areas under union parishads. This is the usual procedure continuing since days of yore: in the vast Mogul empire relief reached the vulnerable people's doorsteps; the colonial Britishers, not very successfully though, tried to follow this method -- their glaring failure being the Great Bengal Famine of 1943 that claimed 3.5 million lives. The quasi-colonial Pakistan government - despite all its failings and blunders - managed the devastating 1954 and 1955 flood and asked for US Army medical teams that flew in to tackle post-flood epidemic outbreak of various infectious diseases. In 1956 UN Krug Mission did detailed survey of rivers and suggested measures. During the BNP rule in 1994 the FAP studies prescribed ways and means to address the problem. So methods are all there, besides the fairly strong body called Disaster Management Bureau. But the reality is: things do not seem to operate properly. Or else why could not the loss of at least 150 lives be averted (the figure could be higher as reports of deaths from remote and inaccessible areas are still pouring in).
Natural disasters bring in their wake destruction and devastation, but when it strikes a resource-poor least developed country like ours the task of rescue operations becomes not only challenging, it tends to be an uphill task. Look at the scenario: about half the population have become stranded as there is not enough place to seek shelter. Even many school buildings, most of which are one-storied, where the flood-hit masses usually take shelter, have gone under water; (mentionably, only a few district or urban educational institutions are two-storied). Now visualise their practical predicaments. Their depressing accounts of hunger, starvation and disease are virtually endless.
The disaster has engulfed 47 out of 64 districts where the flood-hit people are facing submersion causing danger to life and property of about one crore people. It should be noted that we see a kind of lack of coordination among different agencies as succour is too little to save the hungry disadvantaged millions.
At a time of national calamity the Government shall have to be inclusive -- not exclusive -- welcoming any or all efforts to keep the calamity-hit destitute masses alive and then rehabilitate them. This is no time for accusation or faultfinding of politicians and businessme. All political parties -- which alone have their workers at grassroots level -- should be encouraged to rush relief and succour. No question must be asked where they got the money to procure relief materials, because alike legally earned money, ill-gotten money too can feed the unfed and clothe the unclad.
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Confrontational politics must end forever
Justice Md. Joynul Abedin
Corruption has been and still is one of the burning issues in Bangladesh. Corruption eats up the vitals and impedes national growth. The development of Bangladesh shall remain a far cry if the combat against corruption fails. At present the people are looking for qualitative change in the prevalent culture of democracy and politics in the country.
The need for reforms is in fact talked about loudly everywhere. Political reforms should include measures to strengthen the rule of law, the role of civil society, the capacity of parliament and to establish transparent and comprehensive electoral process. In order to fulfill and realise the aspiration and expectation of the people responsible leaderships have to be installed in place who are capable of shaping the destiny by providing required guidance and direction to a roadmap of future success. We desperately need this right now to sustain as a nation.
The rule of law and the democracy are two important and essential ingredients to combat corruption in the society through good governance, transparency and accountability in all spheres of life.
Unfortunately, today when we are talking about the rule of law and democracy for stamping out corruption from the society the whole country is under emergency laws because of painful and colossal failure of our political leaderships. This undesirable and unfortunate condition has befallen us due to incorrect and wrong pursuit of democracy by the political leaderships today.
Charade of democracy
The charade of democracy, specially in the major political parties in the country, led to violent and confrontational politics, which not only retarded normal economic growth and advancement of the teeming millions of the country but also triggered off barbaric and criminal acts of killing in public of rival political activists and supporters in the street in broad daylight thus creating a law and order situation of the highest order.
This eventually led to the proclamation of emergency in the country requiring the army to back the non-party caretaker government to work out necessary measures to bring back normalcy and sanity to enable it to discharge its constitutional obligation to hold free, fair and meaningful election to install a truly representative government.
After the war of liberation, Bangladesh started off as an independent sovereign country by achieving political emancipation. But our economic and other emancipation by establishing nationalism, democracy and socialism by means of economic and social justice remained a distant goal. Because some evil forces from the very beginning of our independence through conspiratorial manoeuvres carefully kept us divided as a nation on some issues or the other in order to ensure that we never grow up and continue as a sovereign nation to mould our own destiny.
Obstacles
Time and again attempts were made to create a situation to expose this country as a failed or non-functional state. As a part of its design, it gradually infiltrated wrong political and democratic culture in the political parties and their leaderships. As a result, we were soon thrown out of the right path of democracy and started struggling as a nation. Consequently we could not succeed in establishing real democracy, rule of law and good governance in our society. The obvious consequence was that our society soon steeped in abysmal corruption. Now is the time to identify and eliminate the evil forces once for all to rid the nation of any obstacles to establish real democracy, rule of law and good governance.
In order to combat corruption we need not only to inculcate, nurture and practise true and real values and norms of democracy but also to establish the rule of law and good governance. It hardly needs emphasis that democracy demands utmost tolerance, respect and accommodation for opposing views. The rule of law, as envisaged in the preamble to our Constitution, has various shades of meaning and its concept is ever expanding. The concept of rule of law includes three things: (a) absence of arbitrary power - no man is above law (b) equality before law; and (c) individual liberties. This means subjection of every person to ordinary law of the land, absence of arbitrary power and legal protection for certain basic human rights.
Judicial independence
Good governance and the principle of complete independence of the Judiciary from the executive are the foundations of many things in our life. To fight corruption we need to establish and adhere to the above principles in life. The judge has not only to do justice between a man and a man; he has to do justice between the citizens and the state. He has to ensure that administration conforms with the law and to adjudicate upon the legality of the exercise by the executive of its power. The Bar and the Bench are two inseparable arms in the administration of justice. Unless democracy in its real sense is allowed to develop through proper and adequate practice, the rule of law, good governance and the strong independent judiciary cannot be established as pre-requisites in fighting corruption from the society.
It is heartening to find that the people in general are now keenly interested to see that overall change is brought about in the political administration of the country. The political parties and their leaders also seem to be keen to bring about changes in their party constitution as well as in the Constitution of the country by way of reforms. This is undoubtedly a happy augury and it is certainly welcome. But this will yield no benefit and good result unless reforms in comprehensive terms are carried out with sincerity of purpose.
Cosmetic reforms
It is noticed with utter dismay and disappointment that the proposed reforms appear to be more cosmetic than effectual and beneficial. There appears to be intra-party and inter-party contest in bringing the proposed reforms. This is certainly not welcome.
Further, the reforms should not only be carried out in the constitution of the political parties but also in the politics itself so that the confrontational and divisive politics can never stage a comeback in our national politics and the political leaderships can no longer behave that they are merely leaders of their parties and not leaders of the people and they should also refrain from pushing their party agenda in the name of the people regardless of the people's hopes and aspirations.
In the backdrop of our national experience about the conduct and behavioural pattern of our political parties it would be considered expedient and advisable for the concerned authority to adopt legislative measures to restrict and in some cases prohibit blockade/siege, street agitations and processions and also hold political gatherings in open public places except covered ones and also prohibit conduct, utterances in any manner calculated or likely to cause hatred or ill-feelings in the political rivals.
Excerpted from a speech by the author delivered at a recent seminar.
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WTO Doha Round: Will the deadlock end?
A M M Shahabuddin
This simple and obvious question has been haunting the global trade circles and in particular the poor third world countries since the Doha Round of WTO trade talks were concluded in 2001. The scenario remained smoky though a glimmer of light through the mist is discernible. The latest move on the part of WTO at the recent APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) meeting to put the deadlocked Doha Round trade talks on the right track appears to be producing some results.
The 2001 WTO Doha Round of trade talks had raised high hopes among the developing countries that form 75 per cent of total WTO membership of 150. However, the obstinacy shown by the rich nations led by the US and European Union (EU) had literally dashed it. The WTO was established in 1995 as a successor of the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), which was set up in 1948 along with the United Nations itself. It followed so many 'Rounds' - used in WTO parlance - of WTO talks, including the 'Kennedy Round' (1964-67), 'Tokyo Round' (1973-74) and 'Uruguay Round' (1986-93), mostly serving the vested interests of the rich nations.
The scenario had started changing as the poor nations were able to build up a strong united front to face the challenge and the exploitation so far tolerated by them like 'dumb-driven cattle.' And the rich nations had gradually come to their senses that their 'empire' is about to crumble, they are now coming up with new formulas of compromise. So far, the poor nations had not succumbed to their new 'offers' of 'meatless bones.' And it has been possible due to strong stand taken by the newly formed G-21 (Group of 21), headed by China, India, Brazil and South Africa. As a result the developed countries had their shock of life at the failure of trade talks due to strong opposition by the developing nations' united front first at Seattle (USA) in 1999 and then at Cancun (Mexico) in 2003. They are, however, not on the retreat, but taking much cautious steps. The developing countries are now definitely moving towards "the longed-for voice" to ensure a commanding role for them at WTO. This is what the WTO's former chief, Thailand's Supachai had strongly pleaded for the developing world should be given.
Salvaging Doha Round
The recent meeting of trade ministers of the 21-member APEC, representing about half of world trade, held in Australia, had extended its fall support to rescue the stalled WTO trade talks on Doha Round. But at the same time APEC did not forget to remind the leaders of the rich member countries of WTO the main issues that they had so far refused to accept was the "cuts in agricultural and industrial tariffs", which if accepted would result in a real market access for the developing countries in the western markets. This "substantial reductions in trade-distorting agricultural subsidies" would also help meet the basic demands brokered by the developing countries and move forward with Doha Round talks. If they don't accept, then there is very little hope to rescue the sinking ship.
EU and Doha Round
However, hope flows eternally in human minds and so it does in case of the deadlocked Doha Round. New hopes now lingering on the horizon even after the collapse of the so-called "G-4" (Group of Four), the European Union (EU) and the US on one side and India and Brazil on the other. India and Brazil withdrew from the talks as they couldn't accept the 'prescription' of the G-4. Now the 27-nation block called EU seems to have gained a "strong-portion" in WTO trade talks to break the deadlock based on the latest proposals, as EU Trade Chief Mandelson recently claimed.
The recent EU Summit held in Lisbon with Brazil's participation gave a new glimmer of hope, as the EC chief Barroso declared after conferring with Brazilian President Lula da Silva that EU "wants to save Doha Round." If EU is optimistic about saving Doha Round talks for another few years, then it would be a great diplomatic success of the EU despite the US's continued 'stick-to-the-gun' policy.
Meanwhile, the US had shown guts to call a formal WTO hearing on China's 'illegal' industrial subsidies on a variety of products, which, the US officials claim, had 'violated' global trading rules. But the point is that when the US is so prompt to target China's 'illegal' subsidies, what would happen if somebody points at the US 'illegal' subsidies - both industrial and agricultural? This is what the developing nations had been fighting in WTO against the West to remove the suffocating roadblock? Do they not 'violate' global trading rules?
WB and IMF: US-EU monopoly
Another glaring example of western monopoly is the way the US and EU-led developed countries had not only continued their monopoly on WTO but also on the World Bank and IMF (International Monetry Fund), since their creation in 1944, following Bretton Wood (USA) talks. And their much-criticised policy that kept head of the World Bank's p[ost as private preserve for the US while that of the IMF chief for Europe. The US had just filled the post of WB President while France had already rushed in with its candidate for the job of up-coming vacancy of the IMF chief in October next and has been lobbing with the EU countries to win it. This is part of an unwritten understanding between America and EU to share the authority of the world's two foremost financial institutions amongst themselves.
However, every thing has its limit, just as every action has its reaction. With the passage of time, big powerful empires had crumbled down and vast imperial territories had vanished. So why not the US-EU 'economic empire' spread over WTO, WB and IMF? Henceforth, a democratic process should be established to fill in the high posts of WB President and IMF Managing Director. There is already an upsurge among the developing countries, led by, China, India, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico, calling for an open 'merit-based' contest for the forthcoming IMF chief, as they insist on their 'right' to head the organisation of which they are the 'biggest members.' It seems, therefore, that the time is already up for ending the US-EU monopoly over WB and IMF. Let then call it a day and leave the field open for, what they call, a 'merit-based contest. The IMF vacancy will be a test case for them.
AMM Shahabuddin is a retired UN official.
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LETTERS
'Harassment' of politicians
Dear Editor:
There has been some discontentment among the workers and supporters of a political party over detention of their leaders. Their spontaneous reaction is natural. But one should realise that whatever happened was the outcome of a legal process. Therefore, they should respect the Judiciary. The court cannot but take cognizance of a specific case filed and the charges framed by the law enforcing agencies after due investigation.
The Judiciary is now independent and there is no scope whatsoever to blame the administration in this regard. Right thing for the political parties to do would be to fight the case legally and let the truth surface.
If some one is not found guilty then as per provision of the law such person would be released with honour and there is provision in the law also for punishment of the plaintiff for instituting a false case. Let the law take its own course because nobody is above law and the law shall prevail.
In this regard the attitude of the Dhaka University teachers was not acceptable. Although most of them may have political affiliations being members of either "Blue" or "White" group belonging to the two political parties, their actions in wearing black badges and abstinence from attending classes in protest against so-called "harassment" of their leaders perhaps were not in conformity with their prestigious profession and ethics.
One wonders how the cream of the society, only for petty political interest, could come out with open support for the controversial political leaders on alleged maltreatment whose roles during the last twenty years were smeared with alleged unprecedented corruption, terrorism, nepotism and what not. However, the good news is that the general public, sans a handful of party workers and politicians, is fully aware and conscious about their misdeeds.
Mohammad Ataul Hoque,
Dhaka.
Abandoning captain to save ship?
Dear Editor:
The lead story in a daily newspaper titled as above, (on 6th July, 2007) showed clear lack of vision because the fate of a ship with full load of merchandise and crew members in the mid-sea was not thought of in the event of dismissing its captains.
Captains are leaders who show the way by going first to proceed, direct, guide, conduct and act as leaders, lead to a conclusion; and need a plenty of nerve. The ships are neither leaky nor the captains are devoid of individuality; rather efforts are underway to supplant them for creating leadership vacuum to serve the intended object.
The captains are not ordinary figures either. Creditable things took place during the last fifteen years of democratically elected governments. There were uninterrupted economic growth, poverty alleviation, education, social welfare, healthcare facilities even in remote upazilla level, freedom of the media, infrastructure development and so on. Macro economic stability was maintained all through without which nothing could be accomplished. The picture is not wholly rosy; corruption was committed by selfish party rank and file.
The top leaders of both Awami League and BNP were brought from home to substitute the founders long after their death to set the respective party in order which they successfully accomplished having no previous experience and eventually they became very popular.
Leaders do not grow overnight. Leaders are those who have the ability to lead, plan, organise, influence, tackle, control and supervise the nation and its people to steer to its goal. The present-day reformists in their own parties are making scope for internecine activities leading to creation of confusion and crises in both the parties.
It is true that the present captains cannot hold the seats until death but leadership has to be passed on in the course of mutual consent, deliberation in a democratic manner and not by replacing, superseding or castigating them for all wrong doings disclaiming any responsibility by the reformist who were also part of the successive governments.
The major two political parties should now abandon cat-and-dog relationship and mend themselves to work mutually for welfare of the nation with a view to build the nation; otherwise posterity will not forgive them.
Rezaul Huq,
Dhaka.
Saudi govt is onlooker, OIC impotent
Dear Editor:
Analysts in the print media have criticised the leadership of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the Islamic world. It is more of a spectator than a player. The Saudis have another problem - the masses are out of time with their government's foreign policies.
Notice the impotency of OIC. Why so close to Bush?
Does it mean that the monarchy is out of date? Islam needs a tsunami to steer into "Siratul Mustaqim" (right path).
A. Mahasen,
Dhaka.
Costs of arresting top politicians
Dear Editor:
Somebody observed that the arrest of top politicians including former ministers and lawmakers does not have any adverse impact on the economy. They opine the arrest of top leaders of political parties does not hamper economic activities. But such observation is not correct.
Awami League chief and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was arrested on July 16, 2007. For her arrest security forces, several hundred RAB and police officials, some 50 vehicles, 15 buses, 2 prison vans, 3 ambulances had to be engaged. Additional police forces had to be deployed at a number of points in the city including Dhaka University area in the wake of arrest. Bangladesh Armed Forces had to cordon off the Muktangan as Awami League activists were ready to hold meeting to protest the arrest. A house in the Jatiya Sangsad area was declared as sub-jail. Plastic paint was needed for this sub-jail. Cot, mattress, pillow, bedcover, bedsheet, towel, cosmetic box, utensils, study table, dinning table, sofa-set, ceiling fan etc. were supplied for the sub-jail. Some male and female jail warder, lady doctor were engaged. Two platoon police and RAB officials were deployed in two shifts for the sub-jail.
Some Awami lawyers staged demonstration in the court area demanding bail. The Awami League activists brought out procession at Roy Saheb Bazar in the city's old part and Gopalgonj, Khulna, Kishoreganj, Barisal, Kushtia, Pabna, Faridpur and Nilphamari. The police resorted to lathi charge and fire rubber bullets in which three persons were injured. A car was set on fire at Gulistan zero point in the city.
Pangash fish which is most costly and chicken, cake, biscuit and four daily newspapers are supplied for Sheikh Hasina. Besides, the administration has to engage additional forces in and around the city as security to avert any untoward incident in protest against the arrest.
So, the government has to spend a large sum from the national exchequer for the arrest. This is extra expenditure and all these are taxpayer's money. In this way arrest of top politicians affect the economy not directly but indirectly. One should realise it.
A.M.K. Chowdhury,
West Masdhair
Narayanganj.
External intelligence
Dear Editor,
Bangladesh has been passing through a critical period in regard to transition from the Caretaker Government (CG) of 2007 to a likely democratically elected one by the end of 2008. The present CG, unlike three previous others since early 1990, faces an uphill task that the leading but self-seeking politicians have in the decades past had created, some due to willful omissions and many due to commissions just only for private material gains.
One of the Advisers has rightly stated on 25th July that in the time ahead left for them it would be impossible to completely eradicate corruption from the country but instead they would try to ensure that no high profile corrupt persons could contest in the next parliamentary election. Possibly he meant so for the local bodies elections, as well. He further hoped that the next elected government would continue the process of eradication of corruption that the CG has now taken up.
Bangladesh though not a small nation in terms of population size but is certainly vulnerable for geographical location. The country has enemies from within and without. A section of intellectuals is said to regularly receive financial benefits from interested quarters.
For effective containment of material corruption as the CG has taken up very seriously, it may be a good point to keep the external intelligence operations within the country under careful watch and observe how they deal with some of our intellectuals and get their backing.
Apart from the fact that these corrupt and black money holders maintain their muscle men, they also own properties, assets and bank balance abroad.
M.T. Hussain,
Ibrahimpur,
Dhaka.
Political sycophants
Dear Editor:
It was annoying to hear the statement of a political leader that the Government would be held responsible if "anything" happened to the husband of a detained political leader. How could the Government be held responsible for "anything" happening to the relations of any politician? It is beyond anybody's guess. Perhaps the answer may not be available even to the person uttering such a funny remark.
It was not even clarified what "anything" meant by that politician. Such is the quality of the politicians who led by their two controversial leaders made a mess of things during the last twenty years or so. Their misdeeds, corruption and crime against the country and its people, if written properly, would be in volumes. These professional politicians were the beneficiaries of undue gains during their regime and therefore they perhaps now came up with such absurd utterances only to please their leaders.
The ideal advice for those two party leaders from the party comrades would have been to resign from politics and make room for the younger honest leaders and thus save the country from another turmoil. However, general public of this country cannot be fooled any more.
A citizen
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