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'Obama effect' vis-a-vis Bangladesh
Sadeq Khan
By classical military definition, the winner in a battle is the army that remains on the battlefield when the battle is over. The Hamas leadership in the Gaza strip still stands, suffering and resisting over three weeks of savage attacks, carnage and ruination by the mighty Israeli war machine.
Israeli writer and peace activist Uri Anvery commented in Counterpunch, January 19 issue: "The planners of the war (in Gaza) chose the timing with care: during the holidays, when everybody was on vacation, and while President Bush was still around. But they somehow forgot to take into consideration a fateful date: next Tuesday (January 20) Barack Obama will enter the White House...[ FULL STORY ]
FIRST SESSION OF PARLIAMENT
Constitutional concerns must be addressed first
M. Shahidul Islam
The parliament of a nation is the epitome of the peoples' power through which people establish, for their future governments, the principles and legislations that shall most conduce to their own happiness.
The parliamentary principles are therefore fundamental and immutable, and, the authority from which they proceed is supreme.
Significance
The very first session of the ninth parliament begins a journey toward that noble path, despite there being profound misgivings about the manner in which it was cobbled and the absolute bona fide of its legal correctness...[ FULL STORY ]
Polls results controversy goes to court
Special Correspondent
The controversy over the national polls irregularities have finally landed in the High Court Division of the Supreme Court.
At least four aggrieved candidates who were declared defeated in the December 29 elections have formally filed Election Petition before the High Court challenging the results declared by the Election Commission.
The petitioners are Brig Gen (rtd) Quazi Mohammad Hasan, an independent candidate from Norsingdi -2, Major (rtd) Monzurur Qader , a BNP candidate from Sirajganj -5, ASM Firoz Alam , an independent candidate from Patuakhali-2, and Mamunur Rashid Kiron an independent candidate from Noakhali 3. ..[ FULL STORY ]
China, India in arms race
Fazle Rashid in New York
A subtle arms race between China and India is going on without any furore anywhere. Pakistan perhaps is in the know of the dangerous development that could imperil all efforts at peace and harmony in the region. China's supremacy in the region is incontrovertible much to the discomfiture of Washington.
Increasing military spending
The US is not averse to China growing as a major economic mega-power, but Washington would not like to see China building its military muscle as well. So Bush administration encouraged India to beef up its military power to match that of China. China's military said that it needs to be stronger to face containment abroad stressing Beijing needs to continue to invest more in equipment, salaries, logistics to modernise its army to fend off threats to national unity including separatists in Tibet under the iimplicit inspiration of Dalai Lama and in energy-rich Xinjiang, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday...[ FULL STORY ]
INDO-BANGLA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE
Eyebrow raised over joint task force
Special Correspondent
Bangladesh initiatives to form a regional task force and hold joint military exercise in India's troubled state of Assam raised alarm among the political circle and defence analysts.
Indian high commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty on Wednesday said Bangladesh and India might form a new platform to fight terrorism and insurgency across the two countries. "A new body could be formed that will deal exclusively with the issue of terrorism, insurgency, cross-border crime and so on," Chakravarty told reporters after his first call on new foreign minister Dipu Moni on Wednesday. They also talked about the possibility of the new regional panel or taskforce as was outlined by Awami League in its election manifesto.
Khandakar Delwar Hossain, secretary general of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party said the presence of foreign troops in Bangladesh territory on the plea of a South Asian regional task-force to combat terrorism raises questions over its sovereignty, and the people would not tolerate any threat to the country's independence and sovereignty...[ FULL STORY ]
SHERATON FRANCHISE
BSL's secret meeting with a bidder
Holiday Report
Bangladesh Services Limited (BSL), the owning company of Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, floated a tender inviting proposal for franchising its hotel from 1 April next. The present management contract with Sheraton expires on 31 March next. BSL is a state-owned enterprise managed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
The tender document says a pre-bid meeting with the prospective bidders will be held on 25 January. However, it is learnt that such a pre-bid meeting with a prospective bidder has already taken place secretly on Tuesday, 21 January - four days ahead of the scheduled date - at the Sheraton Hotel. The Managing Director was also present at the meeting...[ FULL STORY ]
Women groups hope for 100 women seats in parliament
Abdur Rahman Khan
With the election of a new government headed by Sheikh Hasina, the women groups are hoping for a positive decision to increase the number of women reserve seats in the parliament through direct elections.
Women groups, with Bangladesh mahila Parishad taking the lead, are struggling for more than a decade, putting pressures on the policymakers, governments, political parties and social groups, to enact rules for 100 reserve seats in the parliament to be filled up by women through direct elections.
"It is prestigious for a woman to be elected in the parliament through direct voting and we the women have proved to be politically capable enough in getting elected in a free and fair election", said Meher Afroze Chumki, a newly elected woman Member of the Parliament (MP)...[ FULL STORY ]
BNP observes Zia's birth anniversary
Holiday Report
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) observed the 73rd birth anniversary of party founder Ziaur Rahman with programmes across the country last week. A weeklong programme were chalked out on the occasion.
Central BNP leaders led by chairperson Khaleda Zia paid tribute to the late president by offering floral wreaths and special prayer at his grave at Sher-e-Bangla nagar on Monday (January 19).
BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman was born in 1936 at Bagbari village in Gabtoli, Bogra...[ FULL STORY ]
The Obama erabegins in US
Moinuddin Naser in New York
Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday, by uttering his full name, while the swearing in ceremony was attended by 2 million people. Obama promised to "begin again the work of remaking America" and said, "We have chosen hope over fear". Chief Justice Robert conducted the swearing in ceremony while Obama keeping his hand on the Bible, which was used by Abraham Lincoln at his inauguration 148 years ago, recited the oath.
With that recitation, the era of Obama has begun. Obama uttered his full name including his middle name "Hossein", which was a point of discussion in the media of the USA...[ FULL STORY ]
Can the govt. afford huge subsidy?
Faruque Ahmed
Immediately after taking hold of the government, the Awami League-led grand coalition could earn some popular appreciation by cutting down the prices of diesel , non-urea ferlizer and edible oil.
In case of fertilizer, the real issue lies with reduction of urea prices which is used in bulk by farmers. Finance Minister AMA Muhith indicated a reduction in urea price very soon.
Meanwhile, the debate is on the rise whether the ruling alliance can deliver its election promises in view of the huge involvement of subsidy that may come as subsidies on the way as an additional load on the exchequer...[ FULL STORY ]
Test lies ahead
Shamsuddin Ahmed
Way back in 1956 under political exigencies Prime Minister Hussein Shahid Suhrawardy took in the cabinet a person of bad reputation. But he appointed an efficient 'minder' to tag the man. When his close associates asked about the quality of the minister Suhrawardy trot out (Shakespeare) Othello's lament: "Reputation, reputation ... I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial!"
The reference brought is certainly not to doubt the integrity of the persons Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inducted into her cabinet about a fortnight ago and the Advisers appointed subsequently...[ FULL STORY ]
Prince Bandar bin Sultan
K. Z. Islam
Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud (born 2 March 1949) is a Saudi politician and was Saudi ambassador to the United States from 1983 to 2005. He was appointed Secretary-General of the National Security Council by King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz on 16 October 2005.
Even in a region as turbulent as the Middle East, few men have been as influential, as colourful or as flawed as Prince Bandar bin Sultan. As the Saudi king's personal envoy and then for more than 20 years his nation's ambassador to Washington, DC, the prince dealt with five us presidents, ten secretaries of state, 11 national security advisers, 16 sessions of Congress, an obstreperous American media, and hundreds of greedy politicians". No Arab ambassador - perhaps no ambassador - has come close to matching Prince Bandar's influence in the American capital. At the height of his powers he was indispensable to both sides at once the king's exclusive messenger and the White House's errand boy...[ FULL STORY ]
OVER A CUP OF TEA
Civil, military bureaucrats untouched in anti-corruption crusade
Lt. Gen. Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury retired as the Chief of Staff, Bangladesh Army, in 2005. He had in 1990-91 commanded the Bangladesh Military Contingent in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. He received King Abdul Aziz Order (KAAO) for his services in Saudi Arabia and the Legion of Merit from the Government of United States for Bangladesh Army's contribution to UN peace operations. He was inducted to the International Fellows Hall of Fame (USAWC) in 2005.
Lt. Gen. Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury (Retd.) was appointed in 2006 as an Advisor to the Caretaker Government. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission in February 2007...[ FULL STORY ]
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