Jennes has already held discussions with the President and AL chief Sheikh Hasina. He is scheduled to hold talks with other political leaders including Khaleda Zia, the four party alliance leader. He hoped like many others in the country and abroad that the people would be able to vote freely and without fear or intimidation.

In the meantime the US ambassador in Bangladesh also met Khaleda Zia on a similar mission. After an hour long meeting the ambassador told the reporters that the BNP leadership had assured her of party's peaceful political stand.

We do sincerely hope that Craig has had a fruitful visit. It has hopefully contributed in defusing some of the hostilities between the various political parties. Surely our political parties are aware of their obligations to the people and the nation.

It appears that there exists an acute problem amongst our politicians dominated by anger, intolerance and an attitude that is retaliatory in nature. Whatever the causes might be, we simply must realise that adopting path of militancy and retaliation will help none, instead it might ultimately result in hurting the interests and the welfare of the entire nation.

Let us thus inculcate a spirit and commitment amongst ourselves that would help us resolve our differences and conflicts. We made considerable progress in the field of our economy and the society at large, what remains now is upholding and developing of a political culture that will help us retain democracy and the democratic process.