18 Jul 2008

• Arafat Rahman free for 8 weeks : Release of Khaleda Zia and Tarique likely soon
• Bangladesh-India FS-level talks begin : Delhi urged to reduce $2 bn trade gap
• No army troops on Aug 4 polls duty - CEC : People are concerned as criminals are returning to their areas before elections
• Job of 10 Judges not Confirmed : HC declares BNP-led govt decision illegal : Asks govt to reappoint them in a month
• 500 illegal ISPs in business

17 Jul 2008

• Protest continues against India's pressure for transit
• Foreign interference in local politics condemned : US Ambassador Moriarty holds talks with politicians
• Fresh step to shut convicts out of polls
• Attorney general, Fida M Kamal, resigned on Wednesday
• BM College VP killed in encounter with RAB
• SQ Chowdhury, Pintu and Hashem get bail

16 Jul 2008

• BD to say no to Indian proposal for transit at Delhi Meet : If transit is given, BD will be used for terrorist activists - political experts
• Khaleda to be released ‘very soon’, adviser repeats : HC stay on Khaleda-Niko case remains in force for now -HC stays GATCO case for 2 months
• Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Nizami freed on bail : High Court order granting him the interim bail for two months
• Why city, municipality polls without final voter list not illegal : HC asks govt, EC to explain
• Unless rehabilitated 300,000 street children may grow as criminals : DMP Commissioner

15 Jul 2008

• US Marine Corps wants to survey BD-India border : Collecting detailed terrain intelligence
• India to propose various modes of transit at New Delhi meet
• All rivers flowing below danger level : Out of 73 stations, 32 have risen, 38 have fallen, three have remained steady
• 150 Top political leaders including Hasina, Khaleda may be disqualified in electoral race
• Bangladesh's trade policy still very restrictive: WB
• Bijoy Sarani-Tejgaon link road stuck in court battle

14 Jul 2008

• RPO ordn okayed : New poll law has option for negative vote : Front organisations banned
• Badsha quits Rajshahi mayoral race : 46 vying for mayor, 945 for councillor in 4 cities
• Donors favour transit for India : Paint rosy economic picture
• Jail Killing Case verdict : Appeal hearing begins after four years
• Cargo vessel workers call off strike

13 Jul 2008

• Iftekhar on Pinak’s transit proposal : Anything against sovereignty won’t be accepted : "We believe it's purely an economic issue" - Pinak
• Food situation in country is good - Azizul : Purchase Committee approved import of 100,000 tons of wheat and one 105,000 tons of fertilizer immediately
• Bangladesh set to award US company ConocoPhillips offshore gas blocks : Experts have forecast major reserves of gas in the Bangladesh part of the Bay of Bengal
• Launch strike ends on pay hike assurance : Cargo vessels still off the routes as negotiations fail

12 Jul 2008

• Dialogue uncertain till decision on release of Khaleda, her two sons
• Politicians, economist warn : Economic uncertainty to create social unrest in country
• Public servant can marry foreign national with President's permission
• Countrywide wildcat launch strike : Thousand of passengers stranded at Sadarghat terminal
• Over 6 million people living at different slums : City’s slums source of crime and anti-social activities

18 Jul 2008

Arafat Rahman at large for 8 weeks : Release of Khaleda Zia and Tarique likely soon

The Bangladesh Today

At long last Arafat Rahman Coco, younger son of detained former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, was released for eight weeks on Thursday afternoon for treatment abroad. DIG (prison) Shamsul Haider confirmed that Arafat Rahman has been liberated for eight weeks following an executive order of the government.
His release came after months' of off-stage negotiations between government and the BNP. The Ministry of Home Affairs indicated that Arafat has been released from jail on humanitarian ground for treatment abroad as he is sick. He is likely to fly soon abroad for treatment.
About release of Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, he said that whenever government order is received they will be released but they are likely to be released soon.

Bangladesh-India FS-level talks begin : Delhi urged to reduce $2 bn trade gap

BSS/ The New Nation

Bangladesh yesterday emphasised the need for creating conditions for increasing two-way trade to minimise the huge trade gap as the foreign secretary level talks kicked off in New Delhi, an official statement said here.
The first-day talks also focused on greater connectivity when Foreign Secretary Md Touhid Hossain and his Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon welcomed the commencement of the Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express, said the statement.
Hossain also requested for greater access of Bangladeshi exports to India and urged the Indian Foreign Secretary to expedite the completion of export of the remaining of the five- lakh tonnes of rice to Bangladesh in line with an earlier agreement.
He also urged the Indian authorities to consider complete withdrawal of restrictions on export of rice from India.
The two Foreign Secretaries also agreed on the need for the convening of the relevant technical committees to carry on the work in this regard.
They reached a decision to work closely to counter the threats posed by terrorism and other illegal cross-border activities like smuggling of fake currencies, narcotics and drugs, and arms.
Both the delegations expressed satisfaction about the working of the existing functional mechanisms while expressing the hope that they would remain engaged and continue to have dialogue and discussions on various issues to address specific concerns.

No army troops on Aug 4 polls duty - CEC : People are concerned as criminals are returning to their areas before elections

The New Age BD

The chief election commissioner, ATM Shamsul Huda, on Thursday asked the law enforcement agencies to launch a combing operation to recover illegal firearms and arrest criminals before the city city corporation and municipal polls.
Shamsul made the call at a meeting in the National Security Council auditorium to review law and order in the 13 areas where polls will he held on August 4.
He said army troops would not be deployed on polls duty in the areas. He urged other law enforcement agencies to keep vigil so that no one can take the advantage of relaxed emergency.
Shamsul termed the local government polls a ‘test case’. He said, ‘If we can hold the city corporation and municipal polls properly, it will leave a positive impact on upazila and national elections.’
He said the commission marked at least a half of the polling stations in the four city corporations and nine municipalities as risky. He said there would be a three-tier arrangement to keep law and order.

Job of 10 Judges not Confirmed : HC declares BNP-led govt decision illegal : Asks govt to reappoint them in a month

Ashutosh Sarkar, The Daily Star

The High Court (HC) yesterday declared illegal and unconstitutional the BNP-led government's not confirming the services of 10 additional HC judges appointed during the rule of Awami League despite the chief justice's positive recommendations.
The HC directed the government to reappoint the 10 judges with seniority within one month.
The court, however, said the time between the dates of non-confirmation and reappointment of the judges would be treated as leaves without pay.
The judges are justices Abdus Salam, Momtaj Uddin Ahmed, Abdul Hye, Md Shamsul Huda, Faruque Ahmed, Marzi-ul Huq, Abdur Razzak, Hasan Foiz Siddique, AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Nizamul Huq Nasim.

500 illegal ISPs in business

The Daily Star

Around 500 unauthorised Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are in business in the city and eating up the market share of the legal service providers, degenerating the quality of internet services for the home users. So far the Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has not taken any measure to bring these unauthorised ISPs into the legal framework.
The BTRC officials said they are aware of the problem, adding that it may not be rational to stop all illegal ISPs right away. “It's a matter of thinking a way out of the problem,” they said.
Industry insiders said the non-licensed service providers are mainly young entrepreneurs who use very poor infrastructure, creating a bad impression of the overall industry.

17 Jul 2008

Protest continues against India's pressure for transit

The Bangladesh Today

Protest continues against India's pressure on Bangladesh to give transit facilities as on Wednesday, different organisations, Educationists, politicians and freedom fighters warned the government saying '14 crore people of Bangladesh will launch tough movement if the government responds to India's demand positivel'.
Addressing a press conference held at Khandoker Delwar Hossain's Nam flat residence in the city, leaders of BJFFG said that India is putting on Bangladesh for a long time to provide the country with transit facilities for its own interest.
They further said "after a nine-month long liberation war, we achieved victory in 1971. If it is needed we will fight again to save our country's interest and sovereignty to foil the evil design and blue print of India."
Besides, if India is facilitated with transit by the caretaker government, Bangladesh will be attacked by ULFA activists and Seven Sisters who are engaged in fighting for freedom from India.
Terming the transit as corridor, Professor Emajuddin Ahmed, former Vice-Chancellor of the Dhaka University said, the caretaker government has no right to take any decision on transit issue. As it is a very sensitive issue, so the next elected government will take the decision in this regard.
"I think that India has been demanding transit facilities from Bangladesh for military purposes but it has been saying that it would boost economic and trade ties between the two neighboring countries", said Major General (Retd) Fazlur Rahman

Foreign interference in local politics condemned : US Ambassador Moriarty holds talks with politicians

The New Age BD

The cross-section of people, including politicians, thinkers, economists, teachers, physicians, political scientists and business leaders on Wednesday harshly criticised the foreign quarters for meddling in internal political affairs of Bangladesh.
They condemned the political parties, their leaders and others who hang out with foreigners to talk local political issues.
Some of them said the US ambassador in Dhaka, James F Moriarty, should be declared persona non grata for interfering in local political affairs.
They said this in reaction to a ‘tea party’ organised by Moriarty at his residence at Baridhara for a select group of politicians and others to discuss political issues, including the state of emergency and parliamentary and local government polls.
Meanwhile, the US ambassador in Dhaka, James F Moriarty, held a second round of talks with politicians, journalists and diplomats on Wednesday night to take stock of the political situation in Bangladesh.
The ambassador wanted to know why the political parties were opposing holding of elections under the state of emergency and elections to local government bodies before parliamentary polls. He also wanted to get an idea about the post-election scenario.
Moriarty also hosted a tea party for the politicians on Tuesday afternoon. The politicians who attended the tea party were also present at Wednesday’s dinner except AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam and publicity secretary Asaduzzaman Noor.

Fresh step to shut convicts out of polls

Shakhawat Liton, The Daily Star

The caretaker government is incorporating a new provision in the Representation of People Order (RPO) Ordinance 2008 to bar individuals convicted by a trial court of criminal offences involving moral turpitude from contesting elections.
At present, due to the lack of specific legal provisions an individual convicted by a trial court of such criminal offences can participate in elections while their appeal against the conviction is pending with the higher court.
The new provision drafted by the Election Commission (EC) upon government desire says such a convict will be disqualified from contesting the parliamentary polls while their appeal against the trial court verdict is pending with a higher court.
Due to loopholes in the existing electoral laws individuals convicted by the trial courts have come up as candidates for the August 4 city corporation polls. Sources said Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed himself recently expressed concern about how to prevent this.

Attorney general, Fida M Kamal, resigned on Wednesday

Shahiduzzaman, The New Age BD

‘I have tendered my resignation,’ Fida Kamal told reporters at about 8:15pm at the law ministry where he attended a meeting behind closed doors with the law adviser, AF Hassan Ariff, for about four hours and three quarters.Asked about the reason for his resignation, he said, ‘I have resigned on personal grounds.’
Sources in the attorney general’s office said the resignation came after a recent tug of war between the military-controlled interim government and the highest law officer of the government over a number of issues. Fida Kamal, however, made no comment when he was asked whether any difference of opinion with the government prompted him to resign.
He was appointed attorney general on February 5, 2007. Before assuming the office of attorney general, he had been additional attorney general since June 26, 2002.
According to the sources in his office, he had also been in conflict with the government over the relationship between his office and government offices and agencies. He had also made some recommendations on the issues, but the government allegedly did not heed them.

BM College VP killed in encounter with RAB

UNB/ The New Nation

Vice President of Barisal BM College Students Union was killed in an encounter between RAB and his associates at Kashipur in Sadar upazila early Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Moshiul Alam Sentu, 35, also president of city unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD).
Acting on secret information, RAB personnel arrested Sentu from Kataban area in the capital Tuesday evening.
Captain Anis of RAB-8 said there were a number of allegations against Sentu. But he could not confirm whether there was any case against him with the police.

SQ Chowdhury, Pintu and Hashem get bail

Bdnews24.com

DHAKA - The High Court on Wednesday granted one-month interim bail to Khaleda Zia's parliamentary affairs adviser Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, former BNP lawmaker Nasir Uddin Pintu, and Partex Group chairman and ex-MP MA Hashem, all three having been arrested and detained in cases filed by the Anticorruption Commission.
The same court order stayed the trial proceedings of the three separate graft cases filed against them, and asked the government to explain within two weeks why the cases should not be scrapped.

16 Jul 2008

BD to say no to Indian proposal for transit at Delhi Meet : If transit is given, BD will be used for terrorist activists - political experts

Amena Khatun Urmee, The Bangladesh Today

Bangladesh will express its unwillingness to provide India with transit facilities during the bilateral meeting of Bangladesh-India to be held between foreign secretaries of the two countries in Delhi tomorrow (Thursday).
A highly-placed diplomatic source in the Foreign Ministry said, "We are ready to hold talk on various issues with any foreign country but we are categorically saying that Bangladesh will not agree with India's proposal if it goes against country's sovereignty and interest."
Another source alleged that India is being benefited in many ways from Bangladesh including sharing of water and one-sided trade but despite all these facilities enjoyed by India it has started to put continuous pressure on the country for transit facilities. It added that India has been insisting on the country for transit for many years but Bangladesh is not responding to her demand.
According to political scientists, as the Caretaker Government is not an elected and democratic government, it has no right to take a serious decision like granting transit to any foreign country.
Diplomatic experts expressed their anxieties about transit issue saying that strategically India is strong because of its military and commercial might and it has many provinces where the insurgents are fighting for their independence through armed movements. If transit is given, Bangladesh may be used for military activities both by the Indian government and the insurgents.

Khaleda to be released ‘very soon’, adviser repeats : HC stay on Khaleda-Niko case remains in force for now -HC stays GATCO case for 2 months

The BD Today / BDnews24

Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman has again made positive sounds about the release of detained former prime minister Khaleda Zia. "We are pressing forward with patience. The matter of Khaleda Zia's release is currently facing legal procedures. We hope to see a positive result very soon," he said.
Asked whether the government had any plans to send Khaleda abroad for medical treatment, he said: "The government does not make any plans to send anybody abroad for treatment. It is one's personal matter where one will go to seek treatment."
The adviser reiterated that the government had invited BNP to dialogue and he hoped that the party would join in time.
The High Court on Tuesday ordered a two-month stay on the trial court proceedings of the GATCO graft case filed against former prime minister Khaleda Zia and others.
The court also issued a rule nisi on the government and the Anticorruption Commission, asking them to explain within four weeks why filing and proceedings of the case should not be declared illegal.

Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Nizami freed on bail : High Court order granting him the interim bail for two months

UNB/bdnews24.com/ The Financial Express

Detained Jamaat-e-Islami ameer and former minister Motiur Rahman Nizami walked to freedom on Tuesday evening on a two-month interim bail in the Gatco graft case in which ex-premier Khaleda Zia is the principal accused.
He happens to be a second political party chief to be given interim release after the arrest of top political leaders on graft charges under a crackdown in the interim period. Earlier, ex-PM and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina had been set free.

Why city, municipality polls without final voter list not illegal : HC asks govt, EC to explain

The Daily Star

The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a rule upon the government and the Election Commission (EC) to explain within eight days as to why the EC's August 4 schedule for holding elections to four city corporations and nine municipalities without the final voter list should not be declared illegal.
Responding to a writ petition filed by Jasim Uddin Sarker, a Supreme Court (SC) lawyer and a leader of the Dhaka city unit of Jamaat-e Islami, an HC division bench comprised of Justice Md Imman Ali and Justice Md Emdadul Huq issued the rule.
The chief adviser of the caretaker government, law secretary, cabinet secretary, the president's secretary and the EC are the respondents.

Unless rehabilitated 300,000 street children may grow as criminals : DMP Commissioner

The Bangladesh Today

If around three lakh streets children now living in different places in the capital Dhaka, are not rehabilitated immediately, they will involved in various criminal activities including drug trading, trafficking, murder, extortion and snatching which will deteriorate law and order further.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Naim Ahmed said on Tuesday at a press conference organised by Youth First Concern Bangladesh at Rajarbagh Police Line auditorium in the city.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Noor Mohammad said the problem of drug can be eliminated from the country if government and other private stake holders take joint initiatives.
Replying to a query over the security measures during polls periods, he said the authorities have been taking all necessary steps and the law enforcing agencies have already taken their preparation for ensuring law and order during elections.

15 Jul 2008

US Marine Corps wants to survey BD-India border : Collecting detailed terrain intelligence

The Bangladesh Today

The US Marine Corps wants to assist Bangladesh in surveying and managing its borders with India with the ostensible purpose of identifying routes of movement of terrorists and religious extremists. Sources within the Home Ministry have confirmed that a secret meeting was held where this issue was discussed.
The proposal for such a joint survey of borders with foreign military forces was violently opposed by intelligence agencies and the Armed Forces Division (AFD). Nonetheless, AFD has already received instructions from the Office of the Chief Advisor to allow such surveys with US Forces.
It may be mentioned that Bangladesh does not have any MOU or Status of Forces Agreement with US to carry out such activities and yet US Forces have been permitted to operate in Bangladesh on such a sensitive issue as border survey and management.
Meanwhile, US, UK and Australia are all sending various proposals for joint exercises of various sorts with Bangladesh Armed Forces. These proposals are being sent to various ministries without intimation to the AFD. Under the circumstances the AFD has requested the concerned ministries to avoid such commitments without appropriate approval from the AFD.

India to propose various modes of transit at New Delhi meet

Raheed Ejaz, The New Age BD

India will propose various modes of transit, including the latest floated in August 2007, and want to know Bangladesh’s stance over the issue as foreign secretaries of the two South Asian countries sit for the annual consultations in New Delhi on July 17.
Bangladesh officials said India on August 20, 2007 handed over to Dhaka a draft deal on transit for five years, agreement on regulations of passenger and cargo vehicular traffic between the two countries, for signing.
In the draft, New Delhi proposed allowing Indian vehicles with goods and container cargos to enter the Bangladesh territory through the Benapole land port and again enter the Indian states of Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram through Bangladesh boarder points of Tamabil, Bibirbazar and Khagrachari.
Officials in Dhaka, however, observed despite mounting pressure from New Delhi, Bangladesh cannot afford to allow India any transit for certain factors such as lack of infrastructure and logistics, absence of in-depth assessment of possible gains from such ‘economic issue’ and implication on internal security.

All rivers flowing below danger level : Out of 73 stations, 32 have risen, 38 have fallen, three have remained steady

The Bangladesh Today

All the country's rivers are flowing below their danger levels, including the Ganges-Padma and the Brahmaputra-Jamuna, which are on the wane after rising late last week, Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) sources said.
They said there is no flood situation in the country. No monsoon river flood is likely during the next three to four days, they added.
The FFWC river water level monitor report said on Sunday that out of 73 stations, 32 have risen, 38 have fallen, three have remained steady. The rivers in the Brahmaputra, the Ganges, the Meghna and south eastern basins marked a see saw of rise and fall.

150 Top political leaders including Hasina, Khaleda may be disqualified in electoral race

The Bangladesh Today

Contesting elections on the part of nearly 150 top political leaders of Awami League, BNP and Jamaat including two former Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia and Jamaat chief Motiur Rahman Nizami has become totally uncertain due to graft cases against them.
As per the provisions of the EPR if any person is convicted in the corruption cases, he/she will be disqualified in the elections but an under-trial prisoner shall be able to contest the elections.
As per the EPR, there is a deadline for the completion of trial of all corruption cases which are set to be disposed off resulting into convictions of under-trial politicians before December -a time scheduled for holding general election.

Bangladesh's trade policy still very restrictive: WB

The Financial Express

Bangladesh's trade restrictiveness is one of the highest in the South Asian region, a World Bank report said Monday.
"While high-income countries still have the world's lowest tariff barriers, many developing countries are converging rapidly. Bangladesh still maintains a very restrictive trade policy," the bank's report titled "World Trade Indicators (WTI) 2008" said.
"Bangladesh has the potential to become a middle income country by its own dynamic performance. For that to happen Bangladesh must deal more seriously with its restrictive policy, poor infrastructure and red tapism" said World bank Country Director in Bangladesh Xian Zhu while launching the report.
According to the WTI report, Bangladesh has ranked 113th and 107th in terms of trade policy and institutional environment respectively out of 125 countries in the world.
However, the country ranked slightly better for external environment where its position is 59th out of 125 countries.

Bijoy Sarani-Tejgaon link road stuck in court battle

The Daily Star

Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) is likely to miss the deadline of December 16 for completing the Bijoy Sarani-Tejgaon Link Road as it is now unable to demolish five buildings on the land of the road for legal tangles.
Owners of five buildings, acquired by the Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office, have filed cases against Rajuk with the High Court recently on grounds of being offered less money than they deserve as compensation for the acquired land and structures and a few other factors.

14 Jul 2008

RPO ordn okayed : New poll law has option for negative vote : Front organisations banned

The News Today BD

The Council of Advisers of the caretaker government Sunday approved in principle the Representation of People Order (RPO) Ordinance 2008 with a new option for casting negative vote if a voter does not like any candidate in an election, report agencies.
Under the new electoral law, which came ahead of the crucial next national elections, if the negative votes are fifty percent or more of the total vote cast in the polling, fresh election would take place in the constituency.
A candidate can contest maximum from three constituencies in the general election instead of the earlier ceiling of five parliamentary seats.
Maximum election expenditure has been fixed up to Tk 15 lakh for a candidate.

Badsha quits Rajshahi mayoral race : 46 vying for mayor, 945 for councillor in 4 cities

The Daily Star

Workers Party Politburo Member Fazle Hossain Badsha dropped out of the mayoral race in Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) yesterday clearing the way for Awami League (AL) leader AHM Khairuzzaman Liton for running in the August 4 poll there with an undisputed nomination from 14-party coalition.
Badsha, who was earlier nominated by the AL-led coalition, quit the race in the face of a strong demand from the local unit of the coalition for nominating Liton, an AL central working committee member also Rajshahi city unit general secretary.
Meanwhile, a total of 16 mayoral aspirants, 145 councillorship aspirants and 3 aspirants to seats reserved for women withdrew their candidacies yesterday in the city corporations of Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet and Barisal.
Following Badsha's withdrawal of candidacy in RCC, leaders of 14-party coalition seemed relieved, although Workers' Party expressed unambiguous disappointment.
AL Presidium Member Motia Chowdhury said, "Badsha has shown political wisdom and he will get the return in the future."

Donors favour transit for India : Paint rosy economic picture

The News Today BD

The development partners specially the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have been pressing Bangladesh for opening up its frontier for the multi-purpose Indian transit.
India wants road, rail and port transits to facilitate links with its land locked states-Assam, Monipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura and Arunachal, known as seven sisters.
The pressure from the development partners has been coming under cover of sub-regional cooperation.
The seven-sister countries are now depending on Bangladesh to get the supply of different essential commodities. But most of the supplies have been made through the informal channel, Bangladesh producers are getting benefits, but the government is not getting revenue. It was argued that if transit facilities were given, harm would be done to local industrial products. But it was told Bangladesh would continue to enjoy the location advantage.

Jail Killing Case verdict : Appeal hearing begins after four years

The News Today BD

After a lapse of nearly four years, the hearing on the appeals against the trial court verdict in the Jail Killing case began Sunday before the High Court to confirm the destiny of the convicts, all of them former army officers.
A division bench comprising Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury and Ataur Rahman Khan took up the appeals for hearing.
On October 20, 2004, a Dhaka court sentenced three to death, awarded life imprisonment to 12 and acquitted five in the long-awaited verdict in the historic Jail Killing Case.

Cargo vessel workers call off strikes

The Financial Express

The lighterage, cargo and oil tanker workers called off their strike after around 70 hours Sunday night following a fruitful tripartite meeting among workers, government and vessel owners.
Shah Alam, vice chairman of Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation (BWTWF) told the FE that they have reached a consensus adding: "The workers will start working immediately ending the work abstention."
The water transport workers stopped their works at midnight Thursday, calling for increased wages in keeping up with current prices of essentials.

13 Jul 2008

Iftekhar on Pinak’s transit proposal : Anything against sovereignty won’t be accepted : "We believe it's purely an economic issue" - Pinak

UNB/ The New Nation

Foreign Affairs Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Saturday made an unequivocal and firm resolve regarding the question of transit to India, saying the Foreign Ministry will never ever agree to any arrangement which is contrary to Bangladesh's sovereign national interest.
"We are prepared to negotiate with any country on any subject, but no solution can ever be imposed on us without our consent," Iftekhar said, "This is an axiomatic truth of our diplomacy."
On Thursday, after a meeting with the Foreign Advisor, Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakrabarty was asked whether the transit issue would come up at the Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi. Pinak had said India has been discussing the matter at all forums as "we are interested in transit."
He said, "We believe it's purely an economic issue, not a political issue at all. But here it is made a political issue though I don't see any reason for that."

Food situation in country is good - Azizul : Purchase Committee approved import of 100,000 tons of wheat and one 105,000 tons of fertilizer immediately

The Bangladesh Today

The approval was given at a meeting of the Purchase Committee held at the Planning Commission with Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam in the chair. The meeting also okayed the proposals for the purchase of scanner machines for Chittagong port and construction of road under Purbachal Housing Project.
The import of wheat by food department will cost US$ 419 per mt, while import of 55 thousand mts MOP fertilizer and 50 thousand mts TSP fertilizer by Bangladesh Agricultural Develop-ment Corporation ( BADC) will cost taka 217 crore 29 lakh and taka 449 crore 66 lakh respectively. On the other hand purchase of scanner machines will cost taka 59 crore 88 lakh and construction of road under Purbachal Housing Project will cost taka 5 crore 79 lakh.
Finance Adviser said the present food situation in our country is good. The volume of present food storage is more than that of the previous year and the progress of international procurement is good. He said "We are not worried over the possible future food shortage. We are hopeful that food ministry can achieve its target of food procurement and can confirm the smooth supply of food."

Bangladesh set to award US company ConocoPhillips offshore gas blocks : Experts have forecast major reserves of gas in the Bangladesh part of the Bay of Bengal

AFP/ The BD Today

DHAKA - Bangladesh is expected to award US company ConocoPhillips eight offshore blocks to explore for oil and gas in the hydrocarbon rich Bay of Bengal, an official said Saturday.
State-run oil and gas giant Petrobangla made the selection after evaluating bids from seven companies including Chinese giant CNOOC, Australia's Santos and the Korean National Oil Corporation. Irish company Tullow has been selected for another offshore block. The selection by Petrobangla has all but assured the two companies the rights to hunt for oil and gas in the hydrocarbon rich Bay of Bengal unless there is any major dispute or objection by the government.
Bangladesh's army-backed emergency government invited bids for offshore exploration in February this year after dividing its sea territory in the Bay of Bengal into 28 blocks.
Experts have forecast major reserves of gas in the Bangladesh part of the Bay of Bengal, after huge discoveries were made in the Myanmar and Indian areas of the bay.

Launch strike ends on pay hike assurance : Cargo vessels still off the routes as negotiations fail

The Daily Star

After around 38 hours, passenger vessels resumed services yesterday as water transport workers partially called off their countrywide strike demanding higher wages.
Following meetings with BIWTA and vessel owners, the striking workers decided to allow launches and other passenger carriers to run while keeping the freight vessels still off the routes.
In line with the decision, launches and steamers got back to operation at 3:00pm, ending sufferings of the passengers who had been stranded at different terminals for hours.

12 Jul 2008

Dialogue uncertain till decision on release of Khaleda, her two sons

The Bangladesh Today

The uncertainty over dialogue will not end unless there is an understanding between the government and the BNP on the release and medical treatment of Khaleda Zia and her two sons.
Although the Chief Adviser and Commerce Adviser said that the government has been trying its best to bring BNP in the table of dialogue, it seems that the government is yet to make clear its stand about Khaleda Zia and her two sons which has created uncertainty and confusion about participation of BNP in the much talked about government-sponsored dialogue.
A reliable source said it is clear that many other issues are related with the release of Tarique and Arafat Rahman and their sending aboard for treatment.

Politicians, economist warn : Economic uncertainty to create social unrest in country

The Bangladesh Today

Politicians and economist on Friday expressed their grave concern over the present political crisis and economic condition and said these will create social unrest if the situation continues.
Talking to this correspondent, leaders of AL, JSD, CPB and an economist said people are eager to get rid of this suffocating situation otherwise another disastrous situation will take place in the country.
One Economist said, price rise of essentials will not only cause inflation but also affect the economic activities in the country. Frustration will grip the country and poverty will increase to a large extent as economy is in recession. Such situation will severely affect the political environment of the country creating instability in the societyPoliticians and economist on Friday expressed their grave concern over the present.

Public servant can marry foreign national with President's permission

The Financial Express

The Public Servant (Marriage with Foreign National) (Amendment) Ordinance 2008 has been promulgated allowing a public servant to marry or promise to marry a foreign national with the permission of the President.
The amended ordinance said the President might on an application made in this behalf, grant a public servant permission to marry or promise to marry a foreign national. Earlier, Bangladeshi diplomats were not allowed to marry foreign nationals under the Public Servant Ordinance 1976.

Countrywide wildcat launch strike : Thousand of passengers stranded at Sadarghat terminal

The New Nation BD

River transport workers started countrywide wildcat strike from Thursday midnight demanding higher wages, resulting in the suspension of water transport on major river routes and crowding road transports system.
Source said the lighterage vessels were also on strike since Monday.
Thousands of passengers remained stranded and huge quantity of goods piled in different launch terminals of the 78 inter-district routes in the country.
Crowd of passengers were seen in Railway Stations, bus stands and steamer ghats, as services of government-owned BIWTC and small engine boats were plying. Trawler rides on rough rivers and coastal routes in the stormy monsoon season have increased due to the strike risking the lives of the passengers.

Over 6 million people living at different slums : City’s slums source of crime and anti-social activities

The Bangladesh Today

Rootless people living in the city's different slums mostly are involved in various anti-social and crime activities like drug trading, extortion, snatching and prostitution under the very nose of law enforcers.
All past and the present caretaker governments had taken various initiatives to rehabilitate them in a bid to change their life style providing education, treatment and sanitation facilities. But the real picture has not changed yet. As a result crime and other anti-social activities is still the main source of earning in slums.
According to sources, over 60 lakh ( 6 million ) people are living at different slums in the capital. Most of them are engaged in different types of narcotic item business including ganja, phensidyl, charas, cocain and heroin. On the other hand, many young girls are being forced to sex business and some of them are being used to make "blue" films and such movies are available in CDs at different parts in the city.

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