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SUPREMACY OF DEMOCRACY OVER GUNS
Maoists' poll victory in Nepal may alter political scene in S. Asia
Abdur Rahman Khan
Following the Maoist victory in Nepal's polls to a new 601-seat Constituent Assembly the South Asian political landscape will be changed. Available trends indicate that the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) is surging ahead towards a mega triumph. Maoist triumph march in Nepal's polls is heralding a new era of people's democracy in South Asia...[ FULL STORY ]
SIGNALS FROM NEPAL
US alarmed at poll results, alleges 'violence, intimidation during campaign'
M. Shahidul Islam
Bangladesh has much to learn from the recent election outcome in Nepal as a similar scenario is setting in gradually in the Himalayan kingdom due to the intense power-play being orchestrated by India and the US on one hand, and the country's military on the other. Experts fear that a regional crisis may unfold as the US interests in Nepal jell well with those of India and the duo is said to have ganged up in a strategic partnership to checkmate rising Chinese interests in the region...[ FULL STORY ]
The dilemma of political dialogue under emergency
Sadeq Khan
Political circles in the capital have been handicapped for over a year under Emergency Powers Rules. Throughout the country, a swarm of political activists used to live partly on campaign expenses (and chanda demands) of major political parties and partly on commissions or shares in local contracts, supplies and services for projects under Annual Development Programme or under any private enterprise. They have been deprived of a respectable means of livelihood for over a year. ADP projects are practically on the hold for lack of initiative of field-level officials who are afraid of witch-hunt by Anti-corruption commission agents. Political activities in mofussil area, on the other hand, are restricted even for indoor gatherings. Private investment has shied away on account of a multiplicity of factors, turmoil in oil and commodity prices being one, uncertainty of political developments after the emergency phase being another, and the gherao or siege threat to any capitalist suspected of corruption by self-righteous 'social movement' of street marchers led by the Anticorruption Commission Chief himself being yet another...[ FULL STORY ]
DIALOGUE AND POLITICAL REFORMS
Democracy is for stability
Fazle Rashid
Politics in Bangladesh is in a limbo. The proximity dialogue between the government and the opposition designed at getting a political breakthrough seems set to end in frustration. The government, one may well argue, is not serious about the dialogue. The government's representations at the dialogue by two junior advisors will prompt one to conclude that it is not very anxious to arrive at a solution...[ FULL STORY ]
Pak NA for UNSC probe into Benazir murder
Jonaid Iqbal in Islamabad
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani came to the National Assembly (NA) last Monday to make a symbolic gesture for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Minister Farooq Naik to present a unanimous resolution requesting the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to constitute an investigation commission to probe the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto...[ FULL STORY ]
Electricity shortage 1000MW, but Power Secy. Dr Khan denies
Faruque Ahmed
At a time when the nation has been experiencing unbearable steaming heat owing to frequent power outage this peak summer, and the officially estimated power shortage last Sunday was 1,000MW, the power division secretary Dr Fauzul Kabir Khan said last week that there was no power crisis. He added that much about it was the propaganda of certain vested interest quarters which are after large power project contracts. Dr Khan said this section of people wanted to push unsolicited bids and such publicity was particularly helpful to their cause...[ FULL STORY ]
INFORMAL DIALOGUE
BNP demand Khaleda Zia's release
Special Correspondent
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) took a right turn while indicating a signal to the left. While winding up a dialogue with Awami league leaders the day before yesterday, the CEC said that the time is running short. He did not see any positive sign from BNP giving an impression that the EC would go ahead without consulting major player of the game...[ FULL STORY ]
U.S. PRESIDENTIAL POLLS
Obama faux pas may be costly in Pennsylvania
Moinuddin Naser in New York
Neither Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton nor Sen. Barack Obama would commit Wednesday when asked in a debate if they would take the other as their running mate should they win the nomination, reports CNN, ABC and other news agencies. ..[ FULL STORY ]
GLIMPSES OF GREAT
Charles de Gaulle
K. Z. Islam
August 25, 1944 General Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970) enters Paris in triumph. Adolf Hitler's Nazi armies, in command of the city for more than four years, now have been crushed. As far as the eye can see there is a cheering, swirling French crowd, with the tricolour flag of France fluttering in the sunlight...[ FULL STORY ]
DISCRIMINATORY POLICY HINDERS GROWTH
BPGMEA demands bank guarantee withdrawal
M. Shamsul Huda
Bangladesh's plastic goods industry is facing acute problem because of 100 per cent bank guarantee on import of raw materials. The local plastic industry is deemed to be export-oriented in the sense that this sector manufactures plastic buttons, hangers, clips and various other products essential for the RMG sector, the country's largest foreign exchange earner.
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