dialogue - Dhaka Mirror

MK Anwar pushes for dialogue outside JS

Admin — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 06:21:58 +0000

BNP standing committee member MK Anwar on Sunday said the prevailing environment of the Parliament does not support the discussion of the election-time government. “We want formal dialogue to be held with the government to resolve the prevailing political impasse. There is no environment to discuss poll-time government in Parliament,” he said while addressing a meeting at the National Press Club. The BNP leader said, a debate over the election-time government can be held in the House, but discussions on it should be held in a formal way.
He said BNP would participate in the discussion if the ruling Awami League (AL) places a bill in parliament on restoration of the non-party caretaker government based on understanding. “We will also assist the ruling party in passing the bill,” he added.
MK Anwar alleged that the ruling party leaders have been making contradictory statements to mislead the people.
He also called the ruling AL to make their position clear about the next general election.
BNP chairperson’s adviser Joynal Abedin said when the movement for caretaker administration to oversee the next polls took a final shape, the government brought the issue of Tarique Rahman in front row.
He said Tarique, being a celebrated figure, will return home victorious not through Interpol.
Dhaka based Barisal Divisional Jatiyatabadi Juba Forum organised the meeting protesting the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman.
Presided over by the president of the organisation, the meeting was also addressed, among others, by Iqbal Rashid Apu, BNP vice chairman Altaf Hossain Chowdhury and Jubo Dal president Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Abdus Salam Azad and Mir Newaz Ali Newaz.

-With The Independent input

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UK Minister declines comment on Tarique

Admin — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:39:54 +0000

Visiting United Kingdom Minister for International Development Alan Duncan has emphasised on free, fair and respected elections in Bangladesh, firmly stating that the elections would be watched by the world. He expressed his optimism that all sides in the country
would resolve their differences through dialogue.The British Minister declined to make any comment regarding BNP senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, who is now residing in London.
“Clearly this is an important period for Bangladesh as it looks to hold national elections. Bangladesh needs free, fair and respected elections,” Duncan told a press conference British High Commission Staff Amenities Centre while replying to a volley of questions on the upcoming elections and dialogue between the two major parties.
“It is critically important for Bangladesh’s reputation that the parliamentary elections are judged to be free, fair, and credible,” he added.
“The time limit is obviously approaching by which time the election needs to be held. There are of course a few uncertainties that how to rules will be applied. But I do hope there would be sufficient agreement between the parties to agree on the rule of the game so that the elections can be conducted,” said the British Minister.
“It is essential they are conducted without violence and I say this very, very firmly that the world will be watching,” he said.
“And, if there is any violence I will be looking to the leaders from both parties to disassociate them with violence and to condemn any violence that happens and to make sure that all of them, all party workers conduct their politics to the highest democratic standard,” he added.
To another question, Duncan said, “We are very happy to offer any advice if we are invited that how our system works to see if those can be helpful here.”
On the question of dialogue, he said, “I know it’s difficult. We have two-party leaders who contest each other very, very vigorously. So, the dialogue is not easy when you are always in political combat. But once again it goes back to the need to agree fundamental basic rules of democratic politics.”
To a question regarding the election period government, the Minister said, “It’s not for me to say what exactly should happen. All I am saying is that I hope the constitution will work and work smoothly. The elections can be conducted according to the rules that everybody is agreed on.”
“Democracy is like a football. You got to set the rule of the game and then you can play the game very hard. You got to have fair rules. We want everyone to agree the rules, make the constitution work and have an election which everybody respects,” he said.
About a question on parliament, Duncan said, “When there is a boycott of parliament and the parliament is not working, then it does reduce the reputation of the country.”
Asked about the immigration status of BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman and sending him back to Bangladesh from UK, he said, “We don’t comment on the individual asylum matter and I appreciate and urge you to understand this would not be a decision for politicians. We have an independent judiciary and therefore it is not a question you could sensibly put to a politician because we are not the people who decide anyway.”
Replying to another question, Duncan said, “We are concerned about any deterioration in the human right situation in any country. I have expressed concern about human rights and about conduct of politics to all politicians I met on every occasion I come to Bangladesh.”
He laid emphasis on freedom of media in the country.
On readymade garment sector in Bangladesh, the British Minister said, “The Rana Plaza factory collapse was devastating in its scale and, along with factory fires, must be taken as a wake-up call to all of us.”
“Safety and standards must be made to catch up with the rapid growth in the garment sector, which is a massive success story and must not be allowed to go sour”, he said.
Duncan announced the new UK support for a programme of skills training to 100,000 low-skilled garment and construction workers, improving overall productivity and helping to produce higher-value products. When his comments were sought about remarks by some European Parliament members that Bangladeshi products should be banned, he said, “I would say one hundred percent no. It would be a total disaster for the country. So to say, ban Bangladesh products is in my view a crazy and irresponsible thing to say.”

-With The Independent input

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BNP blames govt for reluctance to hold talks

Admin — Fri, 31 May 2013 12:52:41 +0000

The BNP acting secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, alleged on Thursday that fresh talks between the Opposition and the government over election-time interim government has not yet been held due to the latter’s “reluctant attitude” to take any such step. “Our party chairperson Khaleda Zia has expressed her intention to sit across the table to resolve the prevailing political crisis, but the government is not paying attention to her pleas. This has created a serious situation in the country,” he said.
Alamgir was talking to reporters after placing wreaths at the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman, marking his 32nd death anniversary. Khaleda and her party’s senior leaders and activists also went to the grave to pay their respects to the party founder.
Earlier, the BNP drew up a 15-day programme to observe the 32nd death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman. As part of it, leaders and activists of the party’s different front and associate bodies paid respect to the memory of Ziaur Rahman, who was also the party’s founder.
Alamgir also alleged that the government is trying to foil prospects of initiating a series of talks among the country’s major political parties by sending Opposition party men to jail on motivated charges. “The government’s stubborn stand over the CG issue is only destroying the democratic features of Bangladesh. Hopefully, good sense will prevail and the government will restore the non-party caretaker government (CG) system. Otherwise, our anti-government campaign will be intensified to establish people’s democratic and fundamental rights,” he added.
“Anyone raising his voice against the government’s misdeeds are being subjected to physical torture. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had established democracy in the country. We’ll protect it even by sacrificing the last drop of our blood,” Alamgir told reporters.
Alamgir returned home from Singapore on Wednesday evening, 15 days after his treatment at the Singapore National University Hospital.
After placing wreaths at Ziaur Rahman’s grave, Moudud Ahmed, standing committee member of the BNP, told reporters that the CG provision must be restored to the constitution. “We’ve not yet placed any proposal regarding the poll-time management. We want restoration of the CG system, which has been annulled through the 15th amendment to the charter,” he said.
The BNP will take part in the upcoming budget session of Parliament scheduled for June 3, but it will not place any proposal over the CG issue before the House, Moudud added.
He said the Opposition would respond positively if the ruling party invites it to select the chief of the election-time administration, provided that the government creates a congenial atmosphere for a fruitful dialogue.
Milad and doa mahfil were held at the grave, seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of the late President.
The Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a pro-BNP front, organised a voluntary blood donation programme at the grave premises. Khaleda, along with her party’s senior leaders, visited at least 23 different spots across the capital, including Farmgate, Mohammadpur, Ghigatala and Sonargaon Road, and distributed food among the poor.

-With The Independent input

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No alternative to talks, says Ershad

Admin — Sun, 26 May 2013 05:25:57 +0000

Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad on Saturday said, a serious situation is prevailing in the country and there is no alternative to dialogue to get rid of this condition. While exchanging views with a delegation of the Buddhist community at the party’s central office at Banani in the capital, the former President also observed, democracy must be continued in the country and change of the government will have to be made only through a free and fair election.“People will not accept change of the government by any other means,” he added.
Referring to the incident of attack on minority at Ramu, Ershad said that his party was deeply hurt by the incident and if JP would go to power, such incident would never take place in the country.
“A dangerous situation is prevailing in the country and the people of the country are facing serious miseries due to the activities of the two major parties. Now they want to get rid of these two parties and that is why JP intends to go to power through contesting in the election alone,” he said.
The delegation, led by Uttam Kumar Barua, met the JP Chief on the occasion of the Buddha Purnima.

-With The Independent input

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BNP pushes for dialogue on poll-time govt

Admin — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:24:49 +0000

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has again urged the government to arrange a dialogue with opposition for reaching a consensus to form a non-party and neutral poll-time government to ensure a participatory election for transferring power through democratic process. In a statement following a standing committee meeting of the party held in Dhaka on Wednesday night with party chief Khaleda Zia in the chair, BNP also urged the government to immediately stop “all kinds of terror, “violence, killings, repression and aggressive and false propaganda.”
The standing committee, the highest policy-making body of the party, further said that the government should restore a congenial political atmosphere in the country and form a non-party and neutral caretaker government for protection of people’s right to vote and transfer of power in a peaceful and democratic way.
The highest policy-making body of the organization accused the government of pushing the country towards an anarchic situation by indulging in corruption, misdeeds and making provocative remarks against opposition parties.
“People of the country have never seen such a high degree of state sponsored terror since the independence,” it alleged.
The committee expressed its grave concern over the country’s jeopardised political and socio-economical situation. The country has been thrown into “a shameless partisan and corruption spree,” the meeting said.
Terming the ruling Awami League as ‘isolated from the people’, the party leaders said BNP has been carrying out movement in a disciplined manner to protest the country’s democracy.
But the government has unleashed state sponsored terror on the opposition party men so that their antigovernment movement cannot get momentum, the meeting observed.
The government is engaged in unleashing attack through opening fire on the opposition party’s scheduled political programmes including rallies and public meetings, the statement said.
Women activists of the opposition party are being harassed in may ways. They are being subjected to torture behind bars without any justification, the statement alleged. The party said the government is taking opposition party men into custody and forcing them to make confessional statement to tarnish political goodwill of the main opposition BNP.
The National Standing Committee alleged that the “crooked face of government” was revealed when it carried out what it said the savage attack on thousands of Hefazat activists at Shapla Chattor in the early hours of May 6.
The BNP cannot support the crackdown that was carried out under a funny excuse that the government would have been toppled if they continued their sit-in till the morning,
The resolution adopted by the meeting said many evidence including the video footage of armed ruling party supporters rampaging across the area with arson attacks and vandalising vehicles are in the possession of the opposition. Leaders of ruling party, including the Prime Minister are now engaged in carrying out a “dirty campaign” against the opposition particularly the BNP and opposition leader Khaleda Zia, it added. “Now the government is urging the opposition to sit for a dialogue without any basis by shunning the path of terror, destruction and killing. At the same time, they have shut all the doors to talks by saying that the evil anti-people step they have taken to hold the election by remaining in the power in line with the amended constitution,” said the resolution.

-With The Independent input

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Dialogue process ‘very slow’: Mozena

Admin — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:13:36 +0000

The initiative of a dialogue between the government and opposition to resolve the political impasse is progressing very slowly, as there is a lack of confidence in each other, United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena said on Wednesday. The dialogue is difficult under the current circumstance and that it will not be easy and fast, he acknowledged. “Well, I think the preliminary steps are happening…But very slowly and dialogue is difficult in a circumstance like this. People are not sure about the other side.
So, this will not be easy, this will not be fast,” the US Ambassador told a press conference at the American Centre replying to a volley of questions regarding the dialogue between the government and the opposition.
“I can only hope that it will inch its way forward and then gain momentum because I think it will yield results. I mean free, fair and credible election that everybody wants. And, I think dialogue is the best way to achieve that result,” he said.
“People are talking to each other. People are trying to reach out each other. So, these are little steps and steps are in the right direction. It will not be easy but I am hopeful that the parties will find a way sooner rather than later so that this country can have free, fair and credible elections,” he added.
Asked if Washington would play any role in the dialogue process, Mozena said, “They don’t need me, they don’t America, they don’t need anybody else from outside to get involved in this process. Only Bangladeshis can do this and they will do this in my view. And, when they find a way forward whatever it is that leads to free, fair and credible elections then outsiders like America, like United Nations or like so many friends will help. We are already helping but in terms of finding the way forward, only Bangladeshis can do it.”
Commenting on the initiative taken by the foreign diplomats at the end of tenure of BNP-led government, he said, “I would point this thing out that this is not 2006 and this is not 2007. This is 2013, very different circumstance. Bangladesh has experience in 2006 and 2007. One learns from experience. This is the most sophisticated country.”
Asked if Washington would raise the issues relating to upcoming elections and ongoing violence during the second Bangladesh-US Partnership Dialogue to be held in Dhaka on May 26-27, the Ambassador said, “The process for upcoming elections is very much part of the partnership dialogue. We are friends and friends talk to each other.”
“One of the points that will come from our side is the opportunity costs of continued political stalemate. This is the time when investment should come to Bangladesh. It is flooding out of China. I know for fact that it is not coming here right now. Political uncertainty makes it difficult for investment dollars to come here. They will be discussing that,” he said.
“I am sure they (US side) will underscore the message that political violence is not, not, not acceptable. We believe that all players in the political process have the right to express their views and opinions but to do so in a peaceful manner. We believe it is the role of the government to facilitate and provide the space needed so the opposition and other entities can express their views peacefully. The responsibility of the opposition party is to do so in a peaceful way,” he added.
Asked if the inputs of the Partnership Dialogue would have any effect on US decision about the continuation of GSP facilities for Bangladeshi products, Mozena said, “GSP review process is probably too far a long way at this point. It is being evaluated right now.”
Describing the labour law reform as a big step in the right direction, Mozena said the bill amending the law was expected to be passed in parliament in the budget session, but the decision on GSP would be made by then.
Replying to a question, the envoy said that there was no relationship between GSP and Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (TICFA).
“TICFA is TICFA and GSP is GSP,” he said.
TICFA establishes a forum of Bangladesh and US that would meet once a year to identify the obstacles and overcoming those, Mozena said, adding that US had such agreement 45-50 countries.
About the signing of TICFA, he said, “Maybe one here someday…I don’t know. What I say to my friends in Bangladesh is if this is good for Bangladesh to have this forum, then let’s sign it. If it is not a good thing, Bangladesh should never sign it. We are ready to sign. But of course it takes two to sign.”
There will be discussions on the tragedies of Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashions as well as the ways and means to ensure that these tragedies are not repeated, he said.“There would be discussion on workers’ right to freely associate and organize and their right to work in safe condition. There will be discussion on how to, out of these tragedies, find a way to make Bangladesh a preferred brand,” he said.
Asked about the letter written to him by Jute and Textiles Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, “First of all, I make no comment on his comment because he should make comment on his comment. He knows what he was saying, I would not know. You can contact him.”

-With The Independent input

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Nasim rules out talks with BNP outside Parliament

Admin — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:10:55 +0000

Awami League presidium member Mohammad Nasim on Friday called upon the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to return to Parliament for talks on ending the political impasse. “Dialogue can be held on election-time government and it will certainly be held in Parliament. But no talks will be held outside the House,” Nasim told a meeting organised by the Awami Sechhchasebak League on Bangabandhu Avenue. The meeting commemorated the 32nd anniversary of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s homecoming.
“If you (Khaleda Zia) want to join Parliament, you are
welcome. But please do not return to the House only for retaining your membership,” the AL leader said.
Nasim, a former home minister, alleged that the PM was facing a threat to her life because of a conspiracy hatched by the Opposition. He described the BNP as a “party of betrayers” and said: “No talks can be held outside Parliament as the BNP cannot be trusted.”
The AL leader called upon the BNP chief to shun destructive activities and conspiracies for the sake of the country and its people. “There is no use hatching plots as our countrymen know the real conspirators. So, strike a compromise by returning to the path of democracy,” he said.
Nasim also criticised Khaleda for not responding to the PM’s offer for talks. “If you are adamant on restoring the caretaker government system, you may leave the country,” he added. The AL leader iterated his party’s claim that law enforcers had acted competently and not used lethal arms while resisting Hefazat leaders and workers in the city on May 6.
At a separate meeting here, state minister for local government and rural development and cooperatives, Jahangir Kabir Nanok, said no dialogue on the political crisis would be held outside Parliament. “Talks will not be held on Bangabandhu Avenue or at Paltan. It can only be held in Parliament. We cannot go beyond the country’s Constitution,” he said. He also called upon the Opposition to rejoin Parliament for the upcoming budget session and discuss core issues to end the political stalemate.

-With The Independent input

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Govt letter to oppn for talks likely today

Admin — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:49:02 +0000

At a moment when both the ruling Awami League and the main opposition BNP appear to be favourably inclined to begin dialogue over the holding of the next general election in a credible manner, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday renewed his
call for talks between the two warring parties.During a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni at his office in New York on Monday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the need for the political leaders of Bangladesh to engage in constructive dialogue with a view to defusing tension and resolving differences, including the governance arrangements during the upcoming election period.
The UN chief also reiterated his increasing concern about the recent wave of violence and underlined the need for all concerned to respect the law and express their views peacefully, stated the UN website.
The UN Secretary-General expressed his optimism over Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s offer for dialogue with the opposition on the modalities of an interim government during the next general elections and called upon all major political parties to engage in dialogue for creating a congenial atmosphere for holding free and fair elections as scheduled.
Dipu Moni assured the UN chief that the government’s offer for political dialogue on the modalities of election was very much on the table and expressed hope that opposition parties would respond to it.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also the president of the ruling party held a series of informal meetings with senior party leaders after her meeting with the assistant UN secretary general for political affairs Oscar Fernández-Taranco on Sunday to initiate the process of dialogue including drafting of a letter inviting the opposition to the dialogue. The letter would be finalised at a ‘brain-storming session’, to be held at Gonobhaban tonight”, a senior minister who is also a presidium member of the party told the Independent preferring anonymity.
It is learnt that the letter would be discussed at a meeting of the 14 party alliance on Wednesday after which it would be sent to the opposition leader.
Meanwhile, talking to newsmen, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday also underscored the need for dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties saying it is a must for bringing about qualitative changes in the political arena.
“Only a meaningful dialogue among the major political parties can resolve the country’s prevailing political standoff, including holding of the next general election under a non-party caretaker government (CG) oversight,” he said.
He was talking to reporters at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport before boarding a Bangladesh Biman flight for Singapore where he will undergo treatment.
“We, the nationalist partymen as well as the countrymen are expecting that a dialogue will be held soon to bring peace in peoples’ minds,” he added.
BNP chairperson and leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia has agreed to sit across the table for dialogue with the ruling Awami League without any condition. Now the government should invite her for this purpose in a formal manner, Alamgir said.

-With The Independent input

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Khaleda optimistic about govt-opposition dialogue

Admin — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:34:46 +0000

Opposition leader Khaleda Zia has held out her hope that the initiative of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for dialogue between the two major parties on
election-time government would lead to an acceptable solution.
The opposition leader who is also the chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) expressed her optimism during a meeting with the visiting UN delegation led by its assistant secretary-general for political affairs, Oscar Fernández-Taranco at her Gulshan residence in the afternoon.
Briefing newsmen following their meeting that lasted for about 90 minutes, BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said the opposition leader welcomed the UN initiative for persuading the Bangladeshi politicians to reach an agreement for talks and formation of a poll-time government in the country.
“The discussion is going on and it would continue. The opposition leader has appreciated the UN initiative for helping political parties in Bangladesh reach a consensus,” he said adding that the BNP leader also hoped that a solution to the political stalemate could be found and the ongoing crisis would be resolved through talks.
BNP leader DR Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr Abdul Moeen Khan, opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque, BNP chairperson’s adviser Reaz Rahman and Sabihuddin Ahmed, among others, were present at the meeting.
It was the second meeting of the UN delegation members with the opposition leader hours before they left Dhaka. Earlier on Saturday evening, the delegation called on the opposition leader at her Gulshan office.
During the four-day visit to Bangladesh, the UN delegation also held separate meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakib Uddin Ahmed, leaders of Jatiya Party and Jamaat-e-Islami and civil society. The delegation carried two separate letters from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for the two leaders of the ruling and opposition
parties.
Oscar Fernández-Taranco arrived in Dhaka on Friday as an envoy of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to assess the pre-poll atmosphere in Bangladesh and exchange views with the stakeholders ahead of the next general election to be held later this year or early next year.
Meanwhile, BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed on Monday alleged that the government is not sincere about dialogue on election-time government as they are uttering the issue repeatedly just to make the foreigners happy and mislead the people.
Addressing a discussion meeting at the National Press Club on “Responsibilities of the Nationalist Forces to Overcome the Ongoing Political Crisis,” he said the BNP would welcome any offer for dialogue on non-party caretaker government.
The BNP leader accused the government of telling the foreigners about their eagerness for a dialogue on the one hand and arresting the opposition leaders and workers and raiding their houses on the other.
“The government did not allow the opposition BNP to hold a rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office. The contradictory acts of the government proved that it is not serious about the talks,” he added.
The meeting organised by Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sanskritik Gabeshana Parishad was held with its president Fakhrul Islam Robin. Shahid Ullah Majumder, among others, also addressed, the meeting Barrister Moudud said it is the responsibility of the government to create an atmosphere for talks. The BNP is ready to sit down for a dialogue any time either in parliament or outside if the government sends its offer with specific agenda, he added.
He urged the government to create a congenial atmosphere for talks by releasing opposition leaders and activists and withdrawing the “false” cases filed against them.
Meanwhile, the city unit of BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance has deferred its Monday’s rally to Wednesday as police didn’t give permission to organise it.
BNP chairperson’s adviser Shamsuzzaman Dudu said this while briefing reporters at party headquarters at Naya Paltan in the city.
Criticizing the government for not giving permission to hold rally, the BNP leader called upon it to allow everybody to speak and create a congenial environment for talks over an election-time government.
Dudu also criticised the government for freeing two detained bloggers saying that it would create a bad impact on social order.
He alleged that the government is indiscriminately arresting Qaumi madrasah students across the country and carrying out repression on opposition leaders and activists.
BNP leaders—Abdus Salam, Khairul Kabir Khokon and Shirin Sultana, among others, were present at the press
briefing.

-With The Independent input

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Time is running out to find solution through dialogue: Taranco

Admin — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:19:07 +0000

Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco has said that the time is running out to find a solution through dialogue between the parties to hold free, fair, credible, inclusive and non-violent elections in Bangladesh that will be acceptable to all. “Our concern is that the time is running out and that the quicker the dialogue starts, I think, the easier it would be to find a solution,” he said at a press conference at a local hotel upon conclusion of his four-day visit to Bangladesh.
Describing the upcoming elections as crucial for strengthening democratic process in the country, Taranco stressed the urgent need for more meaningful and constructive political dialogue to create conducive conditions for the successful holding of elections.
He emphasised that securing democracy, maintaining stability and promoting peace and development have to be the priority of everyone in this nation at this critical juncture.
“It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to work together to create a conducive environment that will allow free, fair, credible, inclusive and non-violent elections to take place,” said the UN official, urging the political leaders to work together to find mutually agreeable solutions to this end.
Regarding the offer of dialogue by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said that the offer was ‘an important initial step’ which now needed to be reciprocated and ensure that this process could move forward.
“Peaceful dialogue and active engagement will allow for the parties to an agreeable solution to put in place a mechanism that allows establishment of level-playing field for all political parties,” he added.
Striking a note of optimism, Taranco said, “I am hopeful that there is a lot of common ground (between the parties). So the gaps are not as big as many will believe.”
Referring to his meetings with the stakeholders, he said that all of them had recognised that holding peaceful elections was the priority.
Asked about the consequences of the failure to hold free and fair polls, Taranco said, “The history of Bangladesh is a good indicator what the consequence can be if you don’t have free, fair and credible elections that are acceptable to everyone.”
He said that security of democracy, stability, progress, economic opportunity and development were impacted while people’s hopes and aspirations could be compromised due to non-holding of the elections.
“The consequences, I think are clearly understood by all the interlocutors. I did not have to mention that. There is lot of understanding why these elections are so important and so crucial,” he added.
Asked if the UN had any formula to resolve the political impasse, the Assistant Secretary-General said, “Let me say we did not come here with a formula. We did not have a formula. Our role is not to tell the parties what to do.”
The solution to the problem must be ‘home-grown’ which will be led by the people and leaders of the country and they have the capacity and opportunity, he said.
‘Give and take and compromise’ will be required to find a solution,” he added.

-With The Independent input

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