Dhaka in search of stable democracy<\/p>\n
By Anis Ahmed<\/p>\n
DHAKA (Reuter): Bangladesh overcome a major stumbling block,
\nafter years of political turmoil, in its bid for credible
\ndemocracy when Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia resigned last
\nSaturday, diplomats and political analysts said.<\/p>\n
But they said it remained to be seen whether the caretaker
\ngovernment that took over from Khaleda would be able to hold a
\nfair election.<\/p>\n
\"The departure of Begum Zia at the height of a popular
\nmovement has brought temporary respite and new promises for
\ndemocracy in Bangladesh,\" one Asian diplomat said.<\/p>\n
Opposition parties had been trying since 1994 through a
\nviolent campaign of strikes and blockades to topple Khaleda's
\ngovernment, saying it was corrupt and incapable of conducting
\nfair elections.<\/p>\n
In the process, the country's economy suffered badly and civic
\nlife was disrupted.<\/p>\n
\"Now it's possible there will be a free and fair election with
\nall deserving parties participating. But that's not enough,\" the
\ndiplomat said.<\/p>\n
\"This country also needs a guarantee that democracy will not
\nbe breached or violated,\" he said, apparently referring to the
\nnation's history of frequent military intervention.<\/p>\n
Army generals ruled Bangladesh for 15 years until 1991 when
\nKhaleda Zia took over as prime minister. Ironically, Khaleda
\nassumed power in 1991 in much the same way as she lost it, on a
\nwave of popular opinion which forced the then president to resign
\nand elections to be held.<\/p>\n
Lt.Gen. Abu Saleh Mohammad Nasim, the incumbent army chief,
\ntold reporters on Saturday night the armed forces should be kept
\nout of political debate.<\/p>\n
\"We are with you, with the people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
His remarks brought instant relief. A return to military rule
\nhad been widely speculated in the wake of the long-running
\npolitical crisis that eventually toppled Khaleda.<\/p>\n
Khaleda was returned for a second term in office following
\nlast month's general elections, marred by violence, stuffing of
\nballot boxes and a boycott by major opposition parties.<\/p>\n
President Abdur Rahman Biswas dissolved parliament on Saturday
\nunder mounting opposition pressure and thus shifted the onus for
\nholding fresh elections onto Khaleda's successor Habibur Rahman,
\nhead of the non-party, caretaker government.<\/p>\n
Rahman, a former chief justice, is bound by law to hold the
\nelections within 90 days of his appointment, a job made
\ncomplicated by opposition demands that the Election Commission be
\nreconstituted and a new voter list prepared.<\/p>\n
\"Everything can be done if political parties reach a consensus
\nthat peace will be maintained and there will be no vengeance,\"
\nsaid Dr Atiur Rahman of the Bangladesh Institute of Development
\nStudies.<\/p>\n
\"Bangladesh still has great political and economic potentials.
\nTo exploit them, healing of political wounds must start now.
\nThis, I believe, will usher in economic success,\" he told
\nReuters.<\/p>\n
The caretaker government chief said his foremost task was to
\nrestore law and order, and he sought cooperation of all parties
\nto accomplish it.<\/p>\n
\"If we can reconciliate -- and not retaliate -- the economic
\nlosses suffered in the political chaos could be made up soon.
\nEveryone must put in their best to make democracy and development
\nwork in this country,\" Atiur Rahman said.<\/p>\n
\"Democracy has already its roots in Bangladesh. Its people
\nlove democracy and it's a great nation,\" one diplomat said.
\n\"But Bangladeshis need to strive harder to keep democracy on
\nright keels,\" he told Reuters.<\/p>\n
Analysts said they were worried by Khaleda Zia's public call
\nto her followers on Saturday to retaliate.<\/p>\n
\"This is a very dangerous omen. We know she is upset but as a
\nfront-running political leader she just can't speak that
\nlanguage,' one said.<\/p>\n
He said opposition leaders had called for restraint in the
\nimmediate aftermath of Khaleda's fall, and they must implement it
\nstrictly.<\/p>",
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