Meaningful reforms talks needed for credible polls
Gastright tells Hasina
Staff Correspondent
Visiting US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State John Gastright yesterday underscored the need for a meaningful dialogue between the government and the opposition over electoral reforms to ensure free, fair and credible elections in Bangladesh.After over an hour-long meeting with Leader of the Opposition in Parliament also Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina at her Sudha Sadan residence, Gastright said the government should create an environment for the dialogue in the interest of strengthening democracy in the country. The US official said he also discussed the problem of militancy with the opposition leader. "Some good steps have been taken with the arrest of militants and now they should be tried and the process of trial and uprooting the militant organisations from Bangladesh should continue." Appreciating Hasina for her leadership and for returning to the parliament, Gastright said he had an excellent conversation with the opposition leader on a wide range of issues concerning Bangladesh and its people and the future of the country. Briefing journalists on behalf of the AL president, her Political Secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury said they discussed electoral reforms, militancy and the overall political situation of the country. The opposition wants reforms in the caretaker government system and the Election Commission for strengthening the country's democracy, he said. Terming the process a continuous one Saber alleged that the government is trying to buy time to avoid a decision. He said there is a clear difference between remarks of Mannan Bhuyain and the prime minister over the reforms. "Our demand for reforms will have to be realised under this government, and not under a caretaker one. They are planning to control the caretaker government after handover of power, it's their deep-rooted ploy," Saber said. Regarding militancy, Saber told the US deputy assistant secretary of state that they think mere arrests of Bangla Bhai and Shaekh Abdur Rahman are not enough to curb militancy. "If the government investigates all the bomb attacks including the August 21 grenade attack on an opposition rally, and the killings of former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria and the judges, then we would think that they are sincere about curbing militancy," Saber said. Gastright was accompanied by the US Charge d' Affaires in Dhaka Judith A Chammas and senior US embassy officials. AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil, and former ambassador Ziauddin were also present at the meeting.
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