Archive for December 11th, 2006
Monday, December 11th, 2006Micro-credit pioneer Prof Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh, founder of Grameen Bank, unveiled a bold vision for ending global poverty as he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize yesterday."Poverty is a threat to peace," the economist turned humanitarian banker said accepting the 1.1 million euro (1.4 million dollar) prize. "The frustrations, hostility and anger generated by abject poverty cannot sustain peace in any society in the world."The Grameen Bank, which shared the award, has helped millions in Bangladesh extricate themselves from penury through tiny, collateral-free loans, and has been successfully emulated throughout the world over the last decade.In his prepared ...
(read more) Monday, December 11th, 2006Seething with frustration over President/Chief Adviser (CA) Iajuddin Ahmed's unilateral moves including the latest order for army deployment, some advisers might soon take radical decisions unless the caretaker government head changes his "go-alone attitude".A number of advisers already communicated with the president yesterday and had appointment set for today. They plan to clarify their positions on different issues as they feel the CA had not duly consulted them before taking a number of major decisions, said sources."We are discussing what can be done in the wake of the prevailing situation. You might come to know of our decision by ...
(read more) Monday, December 11th, 2006The army joined ranks with other law enforcement agencies in securing the presidential residence, Bangabhaban, as the armed forces moved out of garrisons and took positions at key locations across the country early morning yesterday. Troops in combat gear fanned out following a presidential order on Saturday that earned mostly negative reactions from a broad cross-section of citizens.The troops were seen patrolling the main thoroughfares of the capital while being stationed in different community centres in the capital.The forces did not begin their operation on a large scale yesterday but are likely to do so from today, according to ...
(read more) Monday, December 11th, 2006In the freezing Oslo morning, Anisur Rahman and his wife Meherunnessa were standing in a long queue in front of the City Hall. They had come all the way from Sweden to walk tall, to hold their head high once in many years.A little behind stands Zaman Sarkar who is travelling from Finland with the same purpose -- to get back self belief and a sense of pride in being a Bangladeshi.Inside the huge hall, the mood was festive. Women in saris and kamiz busily walk around with broad smiles on their faces. Men in panjabi and prayer topis ...
(read more) Monday, December 11th, 2006President and Chief Adviser Prof Iajuddin Ahmed last night assured the nation that the democratic and constitutional process would continue in the country despite the deployment of army."I would like to firmly assure you that our hard-earned democratic and constitutional process will continue," he said in an address to the nation, the third after he assumed office of the chief advisor to the caretaker government."I do expect that I'll be able to hand over power to the government to be elected through a fair election in cooperation with the people and all concerned within the stipulated time," he said.The president ...
(read more) Monday, December 11th, 2006The sudden deployment of the armed forces 'to maintain law and order situation' ahead of the election came 44 days before the polling date of January 23, which is unprecedented regarding the timing. The home ministry circular issued on Saturday night did not specify the duration of the deployment. In the past, the governments always specified the duration of such deployments for election purposes.Moreover, the 'excuse' showed by the home ministry for the deployment contradicts previous records of army deployment during elections.During previous elections, the army was deployed only 14 days before the polling day in 2001 election, 18 ...
(read more) Monday, December 11th, 2006Sharply reacting to the sudden deployment of army, Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday said no such situation has been created in the country that requires deployment of armed forces."One alliance leader [Khaleda Zia] wants to steal votes, the president wants to help the 'thief' and for this he has deployed army whereas the duty of the army is to guard the country," the AL chief said at a crowded press conference at her Dhanmondi office."When we have postponed our demonstration programmes including sit-in demonstrations around the Bangabhaban after the advisers' request and instructed our leaders to go ...
(read more) Monday, December 11th, 2006BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said army has been deployed to assist civil administration in the prevailing unstable situation stemming from "anarchic" activities of the Awami League-led 14-party combine.She alleged that Awami League (AL) is now making adverse comment regarding the army whereas the party, while in power, had deployed troops for "traffic control".The BNP chairperson and immediate past prime minister made the remarks at a function at her Banani office where some retired army officers joined her party.Nine army officers led by Brig Gen (retd) Dr MR Khan formally joined the BNP presenting a bouquet to the party chief. ...
(read more) Monday, December 11th, 2006Several political parties and organisations have criticised President and Chief Adviser (CA) Iajuddin Ahmed for his decision to deploy the army, saying that the move will further deepen the political crisis. They also demanded immediate withdrawal of the troops.In a press release, LDP President Badruddoza Chowdhury accused the president of deploying the army on advice of the BNP-Jamaat alliance, adding that this step had got the nation's military involved in unnecessary controversy.At a presidium meeting in the party office yesterday, Badruddoza also noted that the president's decision shows that the caretaker government has failed in its responsibility in some regards. ...
(read more) Monday, December 11th, 2006Four advisers to the caretaker government yesterday said the current situation in the country does not warrant troops deployment and the advisory council was not consulted about the decision to call in the army.Energy and Power Adviser Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury said the advisers consider that no such situation has arisen that the army should be deployed. Taken without discussion with the advisers, the decision has in fact become a "prestige issue" for them, he added.Agriculture Adviser CM Shafi Sami said they are very worried about the way the home ministry took the decision.Finance Adviser Dr Akbar Ali Khan said he ...
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