Visiting Deputy Administrator of USAID Frederick W Schieck in city said Tuesday that outsiders cannot force Bangladesh''s parliament to become functional if a strong political will does not exist, reports UNB .
He said fair election does not alone mean full-fledged democracy unless other institutions develop.
Talking to a group of journalists at the American Embassy in the morning, Schieck told a questioner that export of excess gas could be an ''interesting opportunity'' for Bangladesh, which has a ''large natural gas reserve.''
"Countries all around the world are exporting their excess gas," he said and felt that Bangladesh could use the proceeds from additional gas exports for the social sectors, including education.
The second man in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) suggested that the development partners should initiate a dialogue on how to make Bangladesh an attractive place for more private foreign investments.
He said he witnessed a lot of ''progressive changes'' in Bangladesh since he last visited the country 20 years ago. "The potentials for more are there."
Giving his views on Bangladesh''s transition to democracy, Schieck said, "Outsiders can show the way and share ideas…It''s really up to the people and the political parties to make parliament work."
He said many countries had shifted from military rule, but democracy around the world has not fully developed yet.
"It takes time," he said, hoping that all concerned, including the civil society, would play their due role to create an atmosphere to help democracy flourish.
"You need independent judiciary, you need legislature which will take decision and pass laws to move the country forward," said the USAID official.
He also stressed decentralisation and strengthening of the local government to popularise democratic practices at the grassroots level.
USAID Bangladesh Mission Director Gene V George elaborated USAID-aided projects in the country. Replying to a question, he said law and order situation and state of individual rights remain a ''big concern'' in Bangladesh.
USAID helps establishing links among the local and US universities, he said.

Top

A total of 16 candidates from three panels submitted their nomination papers for the upcoming dean elections in seven faculties of Dhaka University (DU) Tuesday, the last day for submission of nomination papers. The elections will be held on December 11.
Fourteen candidates, seven each from BNP-Jamaat-backed ''white'' panel and Awami League-backed ''blue'' panel, are vying for the seven dean posts.
Two candidates from the left-backed ''pink'' panel also submitted nomination papers for elections to two faculties - Arts Faculty and Social Science Faculty.
The ''white'' panel candidates are: Sadrul Amin (Arts), Abu Ahmed (Social Science), Tasmery S Islam (Science), Syed Salehim Kadri (Biological Science), Sirajul Islam (Business Studies), Abdur Rashid (Pharmacy) and Nima Haque (Law).
The ''blue'' panel candidates are: Sharif Ullah Bhuiyan (Arts), Haroon-or-Rashid (Social Science), RIM Aminur Rashid (Science), Shahid Akhtar Hossain (Biological Science), Mizanur Rahman (Business Studies), ABM Faruque (Pharmacy) and Mizanur Rahman (Law).
The candidates of ''pink'' panel are: Mohammad Abu Zafar (Arts) and Nehal Karim (Social Science).

Top

Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Abdul Hamid accused Tuesday the ruling BNP of persisting in slanderous attacks and casting aspersions on opposition leader Sheikh Hasina and her party leaders to "obstruct" Awami League''s return to Parliament, reports UNB.
"They (BNP) are creating a situation under a plan so that we can never return to Parliament," he said, wondering how BNP MP Shahidul Islam Master could "utter such filthy and derogatory remarks" about the opposition leader in parliament Tuesday.
"It''s beyond imagination that a man could lower himself by uttering distasteful words against a leader," Hamid told reporters at the Sangsad Bhaban.
He said: "While Awami League was in power, this Shahidul Islam begged former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to get a three-katha plot at Nikunja… Now he is trying to please the incumbent Prime Minister to get a land at Gulshan by abusing Sheikh Hasina and her party leaders."
Hamid also deplored what he called indifference of and indulgence by the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker in allowing some ministers and MPs to ''speak rubbish'' about the opposition leader.
Jatiya Party MPs too had to abstain from Parliament to protest the abusive words allegedly used against them by Deputy Minister for Relief Asadul Habib Dulu on the issue of ''Monga'' in greater Rangpur, he said.
The former speaker said the three-point demand earlier placed by the AL envisaged the points in keeping with the Rules of Procedure and the Constitution to stop using filthy words, run the House neutrally and allow the opposition to speak for the people.
"But until today, we''ve not received a specific response, either from the Speaker or from the government," he said.
Opposition chief whip Abdus Shaheed said he discussed the matter with the Speaker Monday and requested him to expunge the derogatory remarks made by Shahidul Islam Master. Although the Speaker assured him, it had not been done yet, Shaheed said.

Top

A four-day ''international lions area forum'' will be held in city from December 3, reports BSS.
About 1,000 delegates, including 500 foreign delegates from 54 countries of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, will attend the forum.
President Iajuddin Ahmed will attend the inaugural session of the forum as the chief guest.
Lions International President TS Lee and other international leaders from US, Canada, Japan and Europe will also attend the forum.
The international forum is being held in member countries on the basis of rotation.
This is the second time, the forum will be held after 45 years of lionism in Bangladesh.

Top

BOGRA, Nov 18 (UNB): Diarrhoea that broke out in an alarming proportion in Dhunot Upazila of the district claimed four lives and affected over 200 others in the last one week.
The deceased were identified as Moslimuddin, son of Akher Ali and Shajahan Ali, son of Joynal Sarkar of Parnatabari village, Sariful Islam, son of Shajahan Ali of Borobila village .

Top

Former chief engineer of Public Works Department (PWD) Gazi Harunur Rashid died in a road accident in city Sunday. He was 67, said a press release.
He left behind his wife, two sons and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.
He will be buried today (Wednesday) after the return of his son from abroad.

Top