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EDITORIAL
Protect housing sector from extortionists
In the backdrop of swelled up number of murders, robbery, extortion, abduction and crimes of every description across the country, we have offered suggestions to the incumbents how they can bring stability by maintaining law and order; but they do not seem to care --- it's just water off a duck's back. Following the two years of quasi-martial law ruthless rule the commercial activities is in shambles and economy is in disarray with investment prospect remaining most uncertain. While the nefarious underworld is active again for the past several months, this time its target is the near-dormant real-estate sector, the area which infuses much needed blood in the economy by employing, temporarily though, masons and labourers in a cash-strapped nation facing chronic crunch.
As media reports go, extortionists continue to exact tolls from developers and owners of under-construction buildings who are naturally terrified. Surprisingly, the law enforcing agencies are either incapable or reluctant to nab the extortionists as most of them claim to have links with the ruling quarters. It has been alleged that the police, in some cases, have even leaked information to extortionists, identifying who lodged complaints with the police. Many developers had to pay heavy amounts fearing act of vengeance after refusing to entertain the extortionists' demand.
The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), on its own have formed a four-member committee to tackle the extortionists through a cell to protect them from the extortionists. However, this initiative has not helped much as only a few businessmen have lodged complaints with the cell after receiving threats from extortionists. A state cannot run on ad hoc basis: law enforcement shall have to be decisive and demonstrative --- stringent and severe sparing none --- and the result should be seen and felt. In this case the initiative must come from the Government which should seek suggestions of the actual Opposition, not loyal opposition.
Virtues and vices, undeniably, shape up the demeanour, outlook and thought process of a milieu of which politicians are products. Wise men say that a country gets a government it deserves. A Government is in place after an election supervised by the Army referring to which former President Ershad has emphatically reckoned its very significant contribution in the coming to power of the ruling Awami League (AL). Press reports about potent military connection are so abundant in this regard that the 'slow poisoning' anecdote does not seem tenable at all. Again the then omnipotent Army Chief --- made so by superseding a number of senior eligible officers --- had inflicted the ruling party chief so much grievous anguish as to assassinate character by prosecuting her as corrupt extortion monger. Lo and behold, though public chorus of disapproval is very strong demanding his trial, the same retired condemned Moeen has been given a safe passage abroad through the VIP lounge at the airport. Is this a token of gratitude or what?
Having been in the thick of clandestine things ordinary mortals were unaware of, the ruling party leaders of the grand alliance, particularly some cabinet ministers, have turned their heads and make it sure to hurl insults and impolite words at BNP leaders. Even the Prime Minister herself often makes sarcastic oblique remarks on Khaleda without rhyme and reason. Is there no alternative to vitriolic diatribes?
Lord Macaulay judged the Bengali character more than many others; after him Rabindranath resented the niggardliness of his ilk in the bitterest possible phrases and words, but they have not mended their ways. The ruling AL leaders will do a service to themselves by avoiding the sadistic policy of spitting venom to inflict disrespect and seek cooperation from the BNP which has governed for three terms.
In addition to maintaining law and order --- a precondition for maintaining stability --- there are other serious national issues of the state posed by the big neighbour, such as Tipaimukh Dam and Asian Highway projects --- in which the Government should seek opinion of all concerned, particularly the BNP which won a small number of seats but represents a huge populace which no wise ruler must ignore.
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WITHDRAWAL OF U.S. TROOPS FROM IRAQ
Terrorism cannot be eradicated by war
Barrister Harun ur Rashid
US troops left on 30th June to end a six-year presence on the streets of Iraq's towns and cities. A relatively small number of US forces will remain in urban areas in training and advisory roles, while the bulk of American troops in Iraq, 131,000 left, according to Pentagon figures
The June 30 withdrawal is the prelude to a complete US pullout by 2012. On 4th June, President Obama said in Cairo: "I have made it clear to Iraqi people that we pursue no bases and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq's sovereignty is its own. That is why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August....and remove all our troops from Iraq by 2012."
The Iraqi government declared the day (30th June) a national holiday but soldiers and police were out in force to prevent insurgent groups spoiling the party as Iraqi forces took sole charge of security in cities, towns and villages for the first time since the 2003 invasion.
"All Iraqis are happy today because it's the first day that they're going to protect themselves," said Baghdad civil defence spokesman Tahsin al-Sheikhli said.
On 29th June, the former defence ministry building in the capital, taken over in the wake of the US-led invasion, was handed back to the Iraqi government.
"This marks the end of the rule of the multinational force," said General Abboud Qambar, the head of Baghdad Operation Command.
It was a landmark celebrated by huge crowds of revellers in Baghdad's largest park last night.
Popular Iraqi singers including Salah Hassan, Kassem Sultan and Abed Falek, who all live abroad, returned home for the celebration.
"Since 2003, I have never been to a party but today I am coming to hear the singers I love," Ahmed Ali, 20, told AFP.
Revellers had to undergo three security checks to enter the park but no one seemed to complain amid a jubilant atmosphere, where an onstage banner declared that Baghdad's sovereignty and independence had been recovered.
"Today is the day that we got back our country," said Salim Mohammed, from the sprawling Shi'ite working-class district of Sadr City.
"We know that Iraq's enemies will attempt to disrupt security but our forces are ready to take them on."
Violence in Iraq
On 30th June, a car bombing in the northern Iraqi oil hub of Kirkuk killed 27 people, including women and children as US troops pulled off city streets, the city's health director said.
Another 80 people were wounded in the bombing in a market area of the city which has long been riven by ethnic tensions.
In the wake of several massive bombings that have killed more than 200 people during the month of June, all leave for security force personnel has been cancelled. Motorcycles, the favoured transport of several recent bombers, have been banned from the streets.
"Our expectation is that maybe some criminals will try to continue their attacks," interior ministry operations director Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf said.
"That is why orders came from the highest level of the prime minister that our forces should be 100 percent on the ground until further notice."
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki warned earlier this month that insurgent groups and militias were likely to step up attacks in the run-up to the June 30 deadline in a bid to undermine confidence in Iraq's own security forces.
However privately many US officers worry that Iraqis could be overwhelmed if violence surges.
There have been several large bombings since, the deadliest of which came near the northern oil hub of Kirkuk on June 20, when a truck loaded with explosives was detonated, leaving 72 people dead and more than 200 wounded.
The US military announced on 29th June that a US soldier had died of injuries sustained in combat in Baghdad. A bomb in Sadr City on 28th June wounded three US soldiers, initial reports had said.
And a source close to Iraq's counter-terrorism office revealed that a truck loaded with 64 mortar rounds believed intended for use in sabotaging today's milestone had been intercepted in west Baghdad after successfully negotiating 11 roadblocks.
But Maliki and senior government officials have insisted that Iraq's 750,000 soldiers and police can defend the nation against attacks.
The Status of Forces Agreement, which set the pullback deadline, says US commanders must seek permission from Iraqi authorities to conduct operations, but American troops retain a unilateral right to "legitimate self-defence".
Reconciliation and stability
The US Vice President Joe Biden visited Iraq on 2nd July for a two-day trip to push the Shiti'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for reconciliation with Sunni Groups and for settlement of internal dispute over oil revenues and political power-sharing. Biden's trip underscores the concern inside the White House about the fragility of the security situation.
Although President Obama has hailed the withdrawal of the US combat troops from cities/towns as an "important milestone", he has also expressed concern that the Iraqis are not moving quickly enough to forge a stable government.
The Vice President had a meeting with US General Odierno who has been in charge of the Iraqi operations and Ambassador Christopher Hill. He also met Iraqi President Talabani and Prime Minister al-Maliki.
War at what cost?
Former President George W. Bush's policies towards the Middle East, especially in Iraq will loom large when historians judge his eight-year presidency.
His hallmark has been a readiness to break with long-established bipartisan positions and adopt stunningly new hawkish policies, advanced by neo-conservatives such as Donald Rumsfeld and by March 2003, he attacked Iraq without the approval of the UN Security Council and by 2005 the UN Secretary General declared it "illegal".
Iraq's war had exacerbated the determination of Islamic militants to violence. Terrorism cannot be eradicated by war. Fighting terror with war is like fighting fire with petrol. War is fuel for terrorism, not a deterrent.
In 2006, New Scientist declared that around 655,000 people have died in Iraq as a result of the US-led coalition invasion. That is 2.5% of the country's entire population.
As of 2009, the death toll in the country is believed to be far beyond that number amd the country is still plagued with unrest 6 years after the invasion.
The controversial war displaced more than 4 million Iraqis. While many have returned home, the UNHCR has said the country remains too fragile to absorb the 1.5 million refugees still living outside its borders.
The expenses for war in Iraq as of 2005 January rose to US$300 billion, compared to the estimated costs at US$50 billion before the war was launched (costs of the 1991 Gulf War was only US$61 billion, almost whole of the bill was picked up by Arab countries). This time no country except the US has to bear the military expenses for US forces in Iraq.
Democrat Senator Robert Byrd, of West Virginia, the oldest Senator in the US, said about the record of the Bush administration in the following words: "Today I weep for my country. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper...Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned."
The writer is a former Bangladesh Ambassador to the UN, Geneva.
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VIEW POINT
For a new order of governance
in Bangladesh
Ahmed T Syed
The nature and form of the future political structure and government in Bangladesh necessarily has to conform to Democracy.
The present situation can best be described as a condition of "BREAKDOWN". The vehicle has lost its tire, steering wheel, gearbox, transmission, electric system and even the chassis is bent and buckled. There is a need for a complete overhaul or re-conditioning with urgent and time-appropriate modifications before we embark on our journey.
In as much, we need an appraisal of the nature and form of the democratic suit we expect to design, tailor and wear in the near future. To our dismay, the practice of democracy is non-existent in all the major orders. The preferred system appears to be one of selective leadership based on linage and merit. Only when a vacuum developed in the process of statecraft, did the notion of collective leadership emerge.
The Greco-Roman with eminent philosophers like Aristotle and Socrates and the likes refined the system to reach present day Parliamentary, Presidential and other forms of democracy. Sequel to its inherent hyper competitive nature, only persons of superlative capabilities and resilience survived the exercise. Meek, honest and non-exhibitionist are gradually eliminated and despite the purported honest and clean selection process, the ultimate power shifts to the powerful few. The result is generally a periodic rule of the majority epitomized through a chosen few. To retain the participation of the opposing forces, the minority is given the status of the Opposition and allowed to deliberate on the daily business of the Government.
Therefore, this much-practiced system cannot be even labelled consultative and collective decision-making machinery. The quality of the spawning-ground or Electoral College as it is generally referred to, is the vital factor in the determination of the face and character of the Government. Without going into details, let us say we need a sane, literate, righteous and committed census of electoral participants who are not swayed by the antics of the politicians nor are tempted by promises of reward.
The purpose of charting out a "Road Map" for a new political party in Bangladesh, which will be led by a scot-free, qualified and able leadership toiling for the suffering masses, is a daunting task. Yet we are now faced with the task which should be approached with clear logic, knowledge of the past, the achievements of the Islamic system based on meritocracy and the acceptable norms of modern day notions of Good Governance. And bear in mind, it is now determined that bad governance is the primary cause leading to poverty.
Before we attempt to design the skeletal form of this proposed political machinery, let us first select the seed that will generate the fruit bearing plant. This should be the declaration of the "Aims and Objectives, Code of Conduct, Eligibility of Participants, Rewards and Punishment" and other issues that are expected to determine the course of the Nation. This in other words should be the "Party Manifesto". Now you should understand the reason of the hyperactive effort of a good farmer to procure the seed-bank.
Next in line is a radical departure from present conditions. Where should the grassroots stage of political machinery be located? In my opinion, we should consider the setting up of the primary and most important level at the doorstep of each "Constituency" i.e. the 300 constituencies of Bangladesh. The political aspirants, who wish to represent the masses, as Members of the Parliament must hold the fort, not sitting in the capital city of Dhaka and the lush beautiful surroundings of the Jatio Sangshad area, but the constituency, be it is in Tetulia or Teknaf. Here the office should be at the control and command of a 19-Member Committee acting as a constant and regular portal for the upliftment, redress of grievances and conduct of business of that particular group of humanity. If the Central Committee/Presidium in Dhaka is deemed to be the hub of the nation's power structure, than these 300 Party Offices will function as the spokes in the wheel of that power structure.
Assuming that the whole process will be guided and directed under standard norms of culture, education, acumen and intellect of honest and able persons, I propose that the Central Committee will also determine the possible stratagem and hierarchy of the Team which is expected to run the Nation - a shadow cabinet of persons par excellence.
With due respect for the exponents harping the Hamlin tune of Utopian democracy reflecting people power, I must emphasis that the true day to day operation of state business must be based on the aspirations of the common good and national interest. And when people with a clean heart and mind in total conformity to service for the humankind are at the helm of affairs, we can rest in peace with respect to our achieving the goal and reaching our ultimate destination. We should also not hesitate to ensure that those who serve the Nation and its people need to be compensated adequately not only in economic terms but also by way of honour. I am sure such a process of reward or punishment will without fail attract the dynamic, honest and diligent amongst our lot to step ahead and lead the Nation.
The author is a retired multinational company official and his email is:
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LETTERS
File moves very slowly in govt. offices
Dear Editor:
File moves very slowly in the government offices. File moves from the top to the bottom and the same file from the bottom to the up again. This file procedure system was developed by the British government. Now, everything is getting faster all over the world.
People do not feel comfort to use old computer as it is not faster like the new ones.
One can come from a remote area of Bangladesh amidst heavy traffic jam to Dhaka and finish one's work in the city and go back on the same date but a file does not move from one table to another table of the next door. Sometimes it takes more than a month.
I went to Dhaka three times within two weeks but I did not see forwarding of a simple letter to the Ministry of Education (MoE) from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE). I think we all have some idea about the government offices as we watch on the TV and learn about the scenario in the print media.
Though the incumbent government gave pledges on changing day (Dinbodal) for the betterment of the people but the situation everywhere has deteriorated.
There must be at least a few rules in favour of the sufferers so that file moves within a certain timeframe fixed by the government and it should move without any fuel.
Abrar Haque
Ukilpara
Nilphamari.
National Budget 2009 - 10
Dear Editor:
All is well that ends well. However it appears that our 2009-2010 budget is not perfect and realistic. The marathon budget speech of Finance Minister AMA Muhith appears to be a political statement rather than a clear-cut and foolproof financial statement of our annual income and expenditure, up-to-date outstanding amount of our foreign loan, cash in hand in our public exchequer as on 1st June 2009, our future development projects, accountability and transparency of our various undisclosed huge expenditure on payment of total salary of our ministers, government officers and employees, foreign tours of ministers and government officials, purchase of government transports, payment of electricity and telephone bills for government officers, ministers and MPs, state functions and entertainment and so forth.
So what pittance amount of balance money is left out of total budget of Tk. 1,13,819 crore for the welfare of our common and poor people?
We wonder how we are going to implement our ADP of Tk. 32,000 thousand crore when we are running a deficit of Tk. 34,000 thousand crore?
Are we are accustomed and habituated to taking more and more foreign loan at the cost of unbearable burden on our poor people: Is this applicable for construction of Padma Bridge, underground Dhaka railway and many other projects?
Why is there frequent electricity failure and load shedding and untold sufferings of our people when our Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, our ministers, MPs, political leaders, top government servants, rich people's residences, officers, posh hotels and restaurants, foreign embassies, public and private establishments have been installed with air-conditioners, IPS and electric generators?
Is our national budget 2009-2010 consistent with Article 19(1) and (2) which says (1) The State shall endeavour to ensure equality of opportunity to all citizens. The State shall adopt effective measure to remove social and economic inequality between man and man and to ensure the equitable distribution of wealth among citizens, and of opportunities in order to attain a uniform level of economic development throughout the Republic.
Would our Finance Minister and Law Minister kindly clarify the relevant matters in the interest of public service?
O. H. Kabir,
Dhaka.
Foreign loan and bigwigs
Begging is our main and only attitude for developing the nation. We propose for loan preparing projects in all the areas. Most of the projects are designed by the donors or foreigners.
Recently, a project proposal to buy ten millions (1 crore) energy saving bulbs was submitted to the World Bank for getting loan. Now, if we need other minor utilities in Dhaka city; obviously we will seek loan from the donors. Moreover, we will not hesitate to seek loan even for constructing a guardroom of a minister's office.
And we all know how bigwigs get share from these projects during the implementation of these projects and that share is called black money. There are other ways to get black money also. Now you can guess why government has given provision of whitening black money within 3 years.
Loan foreign burden of the country is increasing markedly. A significant amount of money from the budget has to give back to the donors every year
Without taking loan from the donor, we could collect our own money and use them properly.
Nuruzzaman
Chuadanga
mnzamanchua@gmail.com
BAKSAL-style democracy, BNP men are victims
Dear Editor:
According to a report published in a reputed national daily, some Awami League activists cut down all the roots of Potol, a vegetable, in a vast area, around 2 acres at the village of Shimla under Kaligonj upazila in the Jhenidah district. But the same vegetable, adjacent to the victims' fields, have no problem as these fields are under the activists of Awami League.
All the victims are the supporters of BNP and the activists of Awami League created pressure on them to join Awami League from the very beginning of coming to power by the ruling party.
The victims are 8 farmers who are at a loss to determine what to do. They are even afraid of lodging a case against the hoodlums.
In democratic practice, all people have the right to have their own opinion and work for any party they like but the ruling party hoodlums believe in the BAKSAL-style democracy.
Fazlul Haque,
Kaligonj
Jhenaidah.
Digital Bangladesh
Dear Editor:
One may find the following facts as the achievement towards digital Bangladesh as propagated by the present AL government.
Exorbitant internet charge by all service providers including the government owned company.
It took ten days for Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni to realise that Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan "might have crossed his limit"
Important government and political positions are under the possession of women but the condition of women folk continued to decline.
All political cases against the members of AL are being withdrawn but not those filed against members of BNP
The first budget of the new government provided opportunity to whiten their black money frustrating the honest and law abiding
Sheuly Haque,
Tarash
Sirajgonj.
sheuly.haque@gmail.com
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