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EDITORIAL
Politics is politicians' domain
Expressing worry over the existing political impasse prevailing in the country, business community has demanded smooth transition to democracy and creation of a healthy political process through the holding of a participatory election at the end of the year. So far so good as we want to see restoration of democratic order through free and fair election; but what is of concern is that the community has demanded for itself, among other things, greater representation in Parliament. This is undesirable. If professional groups are allowed seats then similar demand would be forthcoming from engineers, physicians, agricultural specialists, scientists and what not.
In any country the business community deserves credit for keeping the wheel of economy revolving either by trading or manufacturing. In the process while amassing wealth they also generate employment, though ruthless exploitation of workers is not unknown. The community here demonstrated its best when with patriotic fervour its different bodies boldly criticised the rather inhuman suggestion of IMF and other donor agencies to further enhance gas and fuel prices in Bangladesh some months back. While the garment sector is now the highest foreign exchange earner, entrepreneurs are making their mark in various other fields.
The nation owes much to career politicians. Politics is all about government through the organs and agencies of which politicians voted to power should serve the electorate of a populace. In what is now Bangladesh, leaders like Haji Shariatullah and Dudu Mia launched anti-British movement. Khilafat Movement was another political campaign Fired with the zeal to free the motherland from foreign yoke the politicians of the day vowed to make supreme sacrifices over a century ago. Bengal was lucky to have her chosen leader in the person of Sher-e-Bangla. Subsequent to the great divide, within a year following the 1947 partition, as the first bold political voice against the Pakistani palace intrigue emerged a grassroots leader, Maulana Bhashani and formed the Awami League (AL). After 24 years of labour and toil AL led by Sheikh Mujib made history when the country won freedom. During all these years big money never became a factor in power politics nor business community had any temptation to claim a share as lawmakers and to get their voice heard in parliament. They became a docile segment in the eighties and until recently it emerged as a sizeable group. Previously only lawyers, academics, landed bourgeois and social leaders dominated the political scene; and they often courted jail to further their causes. In neighbouring India there are confirmed villains and communal rioters like fundamentalist Hindutwabadi Narendra Modi and liberal leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav; but none from Tata, Mittal, Birla and such other giant business groups were remotely connected to politics as such.
Insatiable greed brought some businessmen to the corridors of power as lawmakers; and such position they bought in exchange of huge amount of money to the tune of at least 3 crore Taka. The practice has come to be known as 'nomination trade' -- granting party ticket for polls.
Since takeover of the military-backed CG, 'reform' has been the buzzword in political parlance. There have been a series of talks between parties and the Election Commission (EC) and the CG. A stalemate has ensued. The bottom line should be to formulate laws permanently prohibiting hartal, killings, eradicating armed criminals and ensuring proper parliamentary behaviour.
Certain elements among politicians are inclined to a quixotic fad for advancing an outlandish idea of depoliticisation of the polity having a long tradition of politics. People feel that the proponents of this unheard of idea are up to a scheme not compatible with the public viewpoint. Unmistakably this is against human nature. Notwithstanding diverse views and perceptions about politics, the golden credo that has survived for centuries is: by nature man is a political animal. There may be a myriad of criticism of politics and leaders, but it is career politicians of integrity who will have to govern as the national ethos conforms to it.
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SAGA OF INDIAN RICE TO BANGLADESH!
Failure to meet deadline affecting ties
Barrister Harun ur Rashid
Cyclone Sidr on the 15th November last year caused nightmare in Bangladesh. Ripping through the south western coast, killing thousands of people, demolishing houses, crops, and livestock, the cyclone left a trail of devastation over thousands of square kilometres.
It is estimated that besides the death of more than 2,300 people in 23 districts and nearly 4,000 people injured, the cyclone has affected 887,000 families of 103 upazilas, killed 242,000 livestock and destroyed crops on 23,000 acres of land and flattened nearly three million houses.
Sympathies and assistance poured into Bangladesh for the victims from neighbours and international community. India's External Affairs Minister came to Bangladesh and it was agreed that India would sell 5 lakh tons of rice to Bangladesh at $430 per tonne to meet its needs.
People of Bangladesh felt pleased that at a time of need, India came forward to assist Bangladesh. But that sentiment steadily evaporated as the days passed on because rice from India had been seen to be made too difficult to reach Bangladesh through land borders, partly because of stoppage of India's customs on export of non-basmati rice and partly because the price of rice in India reached $1,000 per tonne.
Although the ban or the price was not applicable to export rice for Bangladesh as agreed earlier, the conduct of Indian customs at the borders created confusion and some anger in the minds of people in Bangladesh. To many, it seemed that India's customs department was independent of other agencies of the Indian Union government.
On 26th May, it is reported in the print media that out of 5 lakh metric tones of rice, only 80,000 metric tones have reached Bangladesh during the last four months.
Why was this problem of implementation?
Bangladeshi people were asking, among others, three questions:
Is it because of the lack of coordination between the agencies of the Indian Union government in New Delhi? Or
Is it a deliberate attempt by Indian rice- traders to get more money by delaying export of rice to Bangladesh? Or
Is it the disagreement or rivalry between the traders of West Bengal and those from Delhi to capture the Bangladesh market that delayed reaching rice to Bangladesh?
The answers to the above questions remain unclear even as of today.
Whenever questions were asked to the Indian officials, the standard reply was nothing was wrong and business continued as usual, even when the TV footage showed a line of trucks carrying rice was held at India's land border stations. Bangladeshi people were obviously amused because the situation on the ground did not bear any relation with "nothing-wrong" statements.
The TV footage has created a perception among the majority in Bangladesh that India has put procedural obstacles in transporting rice to Bangladesh. Perception is very important than reality among ordinary people.
Bilateral relations are the sum of the many ways individuals and institutions, public and private manage relations between Bangladesh and India. Whether Indian traders or somebody else were responsible for the delay is not the point because the ultimate responsibility rests on the government to facilitate the smooth transportation of rice to Bangladesh.
Friends of India in Bangladesh see it a great missed opportunity for India to create a positive image in Bangladesh. It is a pity that the Indian government authorities or its representatives did not make it clear to general public that Indian government had nothing to do in delaying the export of rice.
Indo-Bangladesh relations are complex one, vacillating between being very close at certain times and not so close at other times. The ups and downs of relationship appear to arise from different perception on each other's policies by governments of the time. Added to this is the physical size of the two countries.
Bangladesh is placed into a dilemma because it cannot ignore powerful India and at the same time its closeness with asymmetrical identity, such as India, is felt like a "bear hug", somewhat comparable to relations between Canada and the US, which a former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau once said that living with the US is "like sleeping with an elephant, no matter how friendly and even tempered is the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt".
It cannot be denied that in some quarters there is an anti-India feeling in the country and so also in India, there exists among certain groups an anti-Bangladesh sentiment.
The anti-Indian sentiment in Bangladesh arises partly because Bangladeshis detect a little condescension from many Indian bureaucrats and partly appears to be the manifestation of "small country syndrome", just as a New Zealander has towards Australia or a Canadian towards the US. Bangladeshis are very conscious that equality is the most important thing in state-to-state relationship.
On the other hand, anti-Bangladesh sentiment in India arises from a view that Bangladesh does not cooperate with India in many matters that are vital for India's interests. Bangladeshis are often viewed by Indian bureaucracy as people "getting all the milk the cow can give", meaning exploiting India as best as possible without any return.
There appears to be a contradiction in India's behaviour within the region. While India considers itself the dominant power in South Asia, in bilateral relations it appears to believe in exacting equal benefits from its smaller neighbours on the principle of "eye for an eye". India is aware that it is a regional power but it forgets that it has certain responsibility that arises from it.
The bilateral relations exist independently of governments and their policies. Mere good government-to-government relation is not enough because at the end of the day, people make or unmake governments. If perception of a country is poor to people, it has impact on the conduct of relations of government with that country.
Whether it is correct or not, the saga of the sale of Indian rice to Bangladesh appears to have left a poor impression in Bangladesh. It may linger for some time. India seems to have lost credibility in certain quarters as a reliable trade partner for Bangladesh. Whoever is responsible for the perception, it does not help in fostering bilateral relations.
It is a pity that perception of India's non-cooperation in sending rice to Bangladesh is likely to strengthen anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh.
For India, there is no excuse for inadequate understanding of Bangladeshi people. Although there is goodwill for India in Bangladesh, four factors seems to work against it: (a) India's lack of sensitivity to Bangladesh's interests, (b) misperception over India's future role in South Asia, (c) fear in Bangladesh of rise of extremist view of Hinduism (such as in Gujarat) through RSS, World Hindu Congress-allies of BJP, and (d) negative sentiment for not resolving pending long-standing issues with Bangladesh, such as water sharing of common rivers and delimitation of maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.
The writer is a former Bangladesh Ambassador to the UN, Geneva.
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VIEW POINT
Article 70 and parliamentary democracy
Syed Farhat Ahmad Roomy
Article 70 of the Constitution says that a lawmaker from a political party shall vacate his seat if he resigns from the party or votes against it in the parliament. Reportedly, the Election Commission (EC) is recommending amendment to it to the Caretaker Government (CG).
The CG is not in a position to amend the Constitution but some steps towards this direction may be taken like setting up of a constitution review commission.
Constitutional ban on voting against party line was perhaps introduced in the interest of stability of a government in power and also to strengthen the hands of the party leaders of various parties represented in parliament.
Time has proved that the ban may have succeeded in keeping a government somewhat stable, but it has had some adverse effects on the political culture of Bangladesh. Instead of producing capable leaders, the ban is helping to produce, with rare exceptions, a bunch of sycophantic yes-men in all the parties. As a result, personal loyalty to party chief has become cardinal quality essential for advancement of careers of politicians. Their other qualities, good or bad, become irrelevant.
Thus persons with dubious characters were also accommodated in various political parties just because they were found to be, or pretended to be, loyal to the party chief. Therefore, a politician however efficient or capable, he might be, is of no consequence to a party unless he is considered to be personally loyal to the party chief. This may be the reason why many good and capable politicians are gradually shying away from the parties.
Let us for a moment assume that the members of parliament (MPs) are allowed to vote against the party line on a particular issue. An MP will perhaps go against the party line only when he is left with no other option and finds that the interest of his constituency and dictates of his conscience far outweigh his party interests. The MP would know that he would instantly incur the displeasure of the party chief and, in all certainty, would not get nomination in the next election. With such a big risk and with his political career at stake, an MP will always think twice before voting against party line. Therefore, lifting the ban on voting against party does not necessarily mean immediate destabilisation of the government.
If we visualise a scenario without any restriction on MPs to vote and express views freely, then what happens? First, the opposition leaders won't have to take to the streets to prove a point. They would rather try to convince all MPs through debates in the parliament about their views on an issue in order to get support from majority of MPs from both sides of the aisle. Thus people would be spared the inconvenience of public meetings on the city streets and the frequent hartals.
Secondly, there would be no necessity to boycott the parliament indefinitely by the opposition although there could be brief walkouts. An issue would be decided by majority vote after due deliberation inside parliament. It would be rule of majority in the real sense of the term.
Does it sound too simple? There must be a catch! Yes, in this scenario government is likely to change too frequently and the possibility of some horse-trading cannot be ruled out. But how does it matter? After all, it is not unprecedented elsewhere in the world. And the change of government would become less frequent with time as we learn to value the merit of a stable government. We have to learn the hard way and there are no shortcuts.
According to some analysts the constitutional ban on voting against party is principally responsible for the kind of political culture that we have managed to develop. If the ban could be removed then we would perhaps have taken one right step towards establishment of real parliamentary democracy. Such a step would not only put to test leadership qualities of our existing political leaders; it would also be conducive to development new leaderships in our political parties.
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LETTERS
Food rationing a must
Dear Editor:
In these hard days of price spiral, we are finding no other alternative other the starvation. The high price all necessary commodities are increasing day by day, which is going beyond our buying capacity. Our natural gas is our national resource.
The living condition of the country's poor people has been seriously affected owing to the recent price hike of fuel oils by the government, according to Bangladesh Bank. In terms of the well-being of the poor, whose livelihood is dependent on the use of kerosene and diesel, the suffering may be significant unless alleviated, says Bangladesh Bank in a quarterly economic survey.
I don't find any justification of increasing price of gas by 100 per cent. Bad days are waiting for us in the future. It is learnt that the price of fuel is going to be increased by the prescription of World Bank, IMF and other international agencies. If it is done so, what will be the condition of this country?
It is a fact that the economy has stagnated and poor and middle-class people stand in long queues daily in different parts of the country to buy coarse rice; but even coarse varieties have became dearer by 70 per cent.
Food rationing was introduced by the colonial British rulers to reduce people's sufferings; it was in place until 1978. Immediately compulsory food rationing should be started.
A.K. Dabir Ahmed Jinnah,
Victoria Road,
Tangail.
A letter to Western countries
Dear Editor:
Margaret Thacher once asked the British Parliament to support Gulf war and any other US steps unconditionally, because US was behind them during Falkland war. Yes, that was the baseline philosophy of Western ''democratic'' philosophy. Indirectly she was asking to unite axis of brute force to unite and nullify UN .Now Sarkozy, who is coming from country of Voltaire, Rousseau and Satre, is joining them.
Well, you are fighting with your shadows created by you. Both Saddam and Bin Laden were best friends'' as long they were fighting Islamic Iran and Russia, who are reluctant to give their oil and other commodity to you. Both Kurdi, Kashmir and Palestine problems have been created by the West. Now they are sermonising them like innocent papal advices.
Both WTO and WB have been created by West and Asian countries are now at the brink of famine and hunger with per capita protein consumption below 30 gm. daily, everybody knows about carbohydrate rice. Weak countries like Bangladesh are being pressuried to buy their hybrid seeds, nonelected govt. is pressurised for withdrawing subsidies from fertiliser without backup plan of helping farmers.
Stop your conspiratorial culture of exporting democracy to the poor countries. Don't export your depression and ''broken family'' philosophy to destroy our serenity and peacefulness.
British home secretary sermonised about connection of terrorism with Islamic Madrassahs. My question is: Why don't you give enough finance for better education and health in the region including Bangladesh?
Gorbachev's equation with the West did not solve hunger of Afro -Asian countries. Nepal has communist govt. Wake up G7
In summary US and western foreign policy and economic policy need to be turned 180 degree. Get rid of Jewish lobby and go to Jewish writer Noam chomsky for real New World Order please .Time is running out for you.
Dr Karim ,
GP, Australia
mounaj@optusnet.com.au
Why didn't CG declare agenda before dialogue?
Dear Editor:
So the inevitable has happened as predicted by me months before and published in the esteemed dailies about the fate of the so-called "dialogue" with the political parties specially led by two major ones who now refuse to participate without their two leaders under trial. They even will not agree if those leaders are freed on parole to participate in the dialogue.
They even refuse to consider the legal complications that might arise if their demands are met. There are some elements to disrupt and foil the election knowing well that their musclemen and black money holders are behind the bar and therefore there is hardly any chance of their winning in a free and fair election. Their only interest and loyalty is towards their party and the leaders and not towards the country. It is in the best interest of the political parties to cooperate with the Government for holding a credible election by December 2008 which the politicians should realise. They do not have any option other than going for election.
We also do not understand, knowing them well who made this country unlivable, how the CG stepped into a dialogue without any declared agenda. It would be interesting to see how the CG comes out of this mess created by their own wrong desicion.
The Election Commission's plan and procedures for holding a free and fair election should have been made public for their comments and while formulating their policies those comments could be given due consideration. Too much and undue importance was given to the politicians in the Government's bid to have dialogue ignoring the silent majority of the country. Politicians could be one of the parties but certainly not the only party for the dialogue to determine the destiny of the nation. Not much time is left for the deadline. Naturally in a democratic society there may be different opinions amongst various quarters on the issue, but the Government should act in the best interests of the country. Any evil design to create law and order situation to frustrate the election process and to foil the election should be dealt with iron hand. Nation would not tolerate political anarchy any more which must not be allowed to happen again. The nation should remain alert about political anarchy behind the motive of the demand for lifting of emergency which may be needed to remain in force for security reason till the election is over.
If the election is free and fair, the result would get international recognition as well. Therefore any Government formed after the result would get international support to function normally. Necessary law should be enacted barring any one who speak or act against holding of the next election. The nation is now looking forward to the honest leadership in our political scenario.
Mohammad Ataul Hoque
Dhaka Metro Transport System
Dear Editor:
The Caretaker Govt. (CG) has taken a practical decision to construct link roads between the old airport road and Agargaon, by using the marginal strip of the old airport at the city end.
But the long-term outlook is bleak. There are several unintentional human bottlenecks between the old and the new airport roads: a) the PMO's office complex; b) the Jahangir Gate (Cantt zone); C) the old airport strip extending into the city area.
The PMO complex is occupying a vital area needed for more roads-hence relocation with BMRE, review has to be kept in mind on long-term basis. Why not shift it to Sher-e Banglanagar? The proposed elevated highway there is not an elegant solution for future development.
The cantonments in Dhaka city were located well out of the then town areas. Now the situation is different (population is around 15 million). Hence some marginal areas have to be surrendered to the civil authorities for town planning, including the old airport area. Dhaka is surrounded by wetlands, and has to expand northwards to higher grounds. Without decentralisation, new projects would be a waste of funds. The floating population in Dhaka is too high.
Now we are facing new economic problems-the high cost of fuel might increase greater use of cycle rickshaws! The social and economic impacts of the suburban zones around metropolis Dhaka cannot be detected easily as in the industrialised countries, (families with own transport, and excellent public transport systems). The LDCs cannot blindly imitate the West, as the average income slabs of the vast majority of the families are much lower, whether in the cities or in the villages.
We badly need bicycle and rickshaw lanes in future planning at all divisional headquarters (labour incentive ventures to provide employment). In Dhaka, underground rail system is difficult to operate and maintain, as O&M have large systems losses (also the underground water levels are going down rapidly). Elevated rail may be considered; first as a pilot project. But the problem with mega projects is the 'percentage syndromes!.
A Mawaz,
Dhaka.
Successful democracy
Dear Editor:
We are surprised how the self-proclaimed most successful democracy in the world, the so-called champion of human rights, liberty and justice the USA behaves in three different cunning ways in Kosovo, Tibet and Palestine.
We are further astonished as to how some democratic E.U. countries -- especially the U.K., France and Germany -- have become sycophants and they are dancing to the tune of Washington D. C.!
We believe the U.S administration, George Bush, and Condoleeza Rice will continue to support Israel blindly and use Tel-Aviv as US tool to divide and rule the Arab World and loot and plunder the Arab oil.
O. H. Kabir,
Dhaka.
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