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Download PDF Winding up his two-day trip, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband yesterday said the government must stick to its pledge to hold polls by this year or risk the country’s development and potential.
Declaring a “new special partnership” between the two countries, Miliband said the out-of-date relationship centred on aid and Britain’s colonial past has ended to make way for a “shared agenda” based on cooperation in climate change, terrorism and trade.
After meeting Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed and army chief Moeen U Ahmed yesterday, Miliband reiterated his call to lift the emergency and hold elections participated by all as Britain “supports the restoration of the full democratic processes as soon as it is feasible.”
Miliband told reporters, “The roadmap must be stuck to, the end date for which is December 31, 2008 and the elections must be free, fair and credible.”
“We would look to all sides to respond and participate positively in order to achieve inclusive elections and reach consensus over reforms to sustain democracy in Bangladesh,” he added.
Miliband said there is a lot at stake in holding the next elections as democratic institutions are necessary to channel “People’s aspirations, the country’s growth and development.”
He said polls must be held “without prejudice to particular individuals” when asked about the “minus two” theory where the two detained former prime ministers are prevented from participating in the election.
Asked how Britain justifies its support of an un-elected interim administration, Miliband said in the last 13 months, “We have always been focused not on how they came to power but how they will get out of power… We are more concerned with what will happen between now and December 31 this year.”
“What need to endure are the institutions of democracy,” said Miliband, encouraging the government to quickly engage in dialogue with political parties, civil society and business leaders.
The foreign secretary also said all trials, including those of the two former prime ministers, must be dealt with fairly and without discrimination, fear or favour. He said the trials should proceed in a “clear and transparent way.”
Asked whether Britain’s aid policies would change if elections are delayed or the roadmap is derailed, he said Britain’s aid for Bangladesh is not driven by politics or governments in Bangladesh but the specific needs to eradicate poverty in this country.
He said the army chief has assured him that the military’s role in Bangladesh is independent, above and separate from politics. He said he was “struck by his [Moeen U Ahmed's] sincerity.”
Asked about his thoughts on a “national unity government”, he said democracy requires a choice of policies and personalities.
“Any human rights abuse is too much, there are basic standards which need to be adhered to,” Miliband said adding that he has received reports of lower human rights abuses.
On terrorism, he said cultural, political and economic success would serve as a bulwark against the spread of militancy in Bangladesh which would rally the majority of the people against extremist ideologies.
Miliband asked for a more inclusive approach to bridging religious and cultural divides to push extremists “out to the margins”.
He said social and economic justice is at the heart of Bangladesh’s future challenge to build a just and inclusive democracy.
Miliband said Britain aims to help out Bangladesh through pragmatic approaches to mitigate and adapt to climate change through various projects.
Britain, especially Miliband, has been at the forefront of enforcing legally-bound reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions of rich countries.
He urged Bangladesh to take a stronger international role by telling richer countries to take greater responsibility for their emissions and work together in fighting the effects of climate change.
Earlier in the day, he became an honorary voter and received a national ID card during a visit to a voter registration centre in Kaliakoir in Gazipur.
He also visited a char in Sirajganj to see a British-funded project aimed at helping people adapt to climate change.
Britain, former imperial ruler of the subcontinent, has pledged 114 million pounds in aid to Bangladesh until the end of March, 2008.
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