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Download PDF Chief of Army Staff Gen Moeen U Ahmed yesterday said it would be a disgrace for the nation if the two detained top leaders are allowed to lead their parties even in the case of conviction for corruption.
Speaking at a press conference of the expatriate Bangladeshi journalists at Bangladesh Consulate in New York, he said, “We have no grudge against them. The government respects them [Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia] as the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and wife of late president Ziaur Rahman.”
Asked if the government has been interfering in court procedures to punish the two former premiers, he said the two have been detained on charges of corruption and they are not being tried by any secret tribunals. They are on trial at open courts.
“If they walk out free, well that’s okay…then they are not corrupt. But if they are found to be corrupt, I’m not saying they are corrupt, would you still like to call them leaders. I leave it to you,” New York-based news agency News World quoted him as saying.
The army chief was visibly annoyed when queried whether the government is pursuing a minus-two formula modelled on that of Pakistan to dislodge Khaleda and Hasina. He asked, “Why does always the Pakistani theory come up?”
“Pakistan promulgated martial law, we did not. Then why is such attitude,” he questioned.
“You have to keep it in mind that our army fought the Pakistani occupation forces for liberation. It will be very sad if anyone compares the Bangladesh army with the Pakistani one,” Moeen said faced with a volley of questions.
He said he wonders why the incumbent government is called an army-backed government. “We [the army] are not governing the country. Like others, we have been only helping the government as part of the government,” observed the army chief.
He said the present government is non-partisan and neutral and has been running the country with all-out support and help from the entire nation.
Moeen added that no one could say that the army has been interfering in the running of the country. He said, “Some people sought to insist that we should impose martial law though I’ve repeatedly moved to make the army’s position clear.”
“We are not part of the power. We are just doing our duties by helping the government face natural disasters and eliminate corruption,” he added.
Moeen said they had always wanted a free and fair election to strengthen democracy, but it is sad that has not happened.
He said the government is working towards a free, fair and credible election, and election would be held within the next 14 months. But time must be given for a free and fair election to take place in the country.
He said that the government has already carried out a lot of reforms and more would be done in the coming months. The government is planning to hold the local government elections before the national election.
“The army has been playing a significant role supplementing the government efforts towards free and fair polls,” he noted adding that the Election Commission has been preparing the voter list with the help of the army.
Asked when the state of emergency would be lifted, he said the government could say about it.
On allegations of human rights violation in Bangladesh, the army boss said the Bangladesh government is very conscious in this regard.
“Human rights situation has marked a significant improvement in recent times. The government is tough on those involved in human rights violations,” Moeen said.
He said there is a need to review the constitution to make it time worthy as it has not been reviewed in the last 34 years. Amendments to the constitution in the past have been made for mere personal interests.
Corruption must be rooted out to save democracy and sincerity is a must to succeed in this regard, he said.
The country under the previous governments had topped the TIB corruption list for five times in a row. But in the last seven months, the level of corruption has come down drastically due to the government’s anti-corruption efforts, added the general.
He observed that the prime goal of the government is to rid the country of corruption and restore democracy.
He said it is hard to believe that there is no competent leader among the 15 crore people in the country. “Of course there are honest and competent people, and all we need is to find them out. We must get rid of the corrupt people for a bright future.”
He said the remarks he made in London were wrongly quoted by the press. He said there he had only stated that he has no “intention” to become the president.
“My aim is to dedicate myself to ensuring well-being of the orphan and underprivileged children on respectful retirement from the army,” he said.
Queried if he would change his decision if the people want, he said, “It’s all speculation. None gave me such proposals.”
Gen Moeen sought cooperation from the expatriate journalists in tracing the money that had been siphoned out of the country.
Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ismat Jahan, Consul General Shamsul Islam, Defence Adviser to the Bangladesh embassy Brig Gen Nuruzzaman and Defence Adviser to the UN Brig Gen Ilyas Iftekhar Rasul were present at the press conference.
October 25th, 2007 at 6:07 am
Don’t make yourself fool or others Mr Moeen, The only time when Chief of the army visits overseas with delegates, if? only interest of the defence needed to be build for its sovereign nation not political speech.
Let the world know that your retired officers are in position of every government administration, which does not need any martial law for the country to be run.
Corrupt? The historical evidence for the powerful leaders, always highlights the opponents for the interest to gain public support for their own position to run the country, this is nothing new for humanity.
Bangladesh has a historical problems with the corruption, whether its political leaders or the armed forces it self, none can deny the facts.
Yet again with different way of politics!!!!
October 25th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
IT SEEMS TAHT MUKUL DOES NOT LIKE THIS CARE TAKER GOVERNMENT.HE HAS SOME SOFT CORNER FOR AL OR BNP OR BOTH. HE DOES NOT LIKE ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE BY THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT. I WONDER WHY? THESE KIND OF PEOPLE ARE PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR BANGLADESH TO BECOME 5 TIMES WORLD CHAMPION. MAY GOD HELP BANGLADESH.
October 26th, 2007 at 6:33 am
Sukumar Roy,
Your very quick to judged me, if you read my comments and the article of the news, and do believe in democracy, you will find clear answer.
In-terms of AL or BNP, I don’t support neither! I was born and bought up in England but do care for my country of origin.
Bangladesh has a problems of corruption not only in political leaders but in every citizens working in civil administration of the country for example: from (chokidar in Union Porishad to supreme courts chief justice) even without bribery the system does not work in the country, as Bengali you cannot deny that.
It is true that Bangladesh 5 times world champion as corrupted due to governments negligence, but while having President and Caretaker government in the country, you do not need GENERALS to inter-fair domestic or political matters, that is not democracy, but often international community in other sides highlights as DICTATORS, which people of Bangladesh has already faced since Independence.
Mr Sukumar Roy read and understand my comments before reply! Thank you