Dhaka in search of stable democracy

Dhaka in search of stable democracy

By Anis Ahmed

DHAKA (Reuter): Bangladesh overcome a major stumbling block, after years of political turmoil, in its bid for credible democracy when Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia resigned last Saturday, diplomats and political analysts said.

But they said it remained to be seen whether the caretaker government that took over from Khaleda would be able to hold a fair election.

"The departure of Begum Zia at the height of a popular movement has brought temporary respite and new promises for democracy in Bangladesh," one Asian diplomat said.

Opposition parties had been trying since 1994 through a violent campaign of strikes and blockades to topple Khaleda's government, saying it was corrupt and incapable of conducting fair elections.

In the process, the country's economy suffered badly and civic life was disrupted.

"Now it's possible there will be a free and fair election with all deserving parties participating. But that's not enough," the diplomat said.

"This country also needs a guarantee that democracy will not be breached or violated," he said, apparently referring to the nation's history of frequent military intervention.

Army generals ruled Bangladesh for 15 years until 1991 when Khaleda Zia took over as prime minister. Ironically, Khaleda assumed power in 1991 in much the same way as she lost it, on a wave of popular opinion which forced the then president to resign and elections to be held.

Lt.Gen. Abu Saleh Mohammad Nasim, the incumbent army chief, told reporters on Saturday night the armed forces should be kept out of political debate.

"We are with you, with the people," he said.

His remarks brought instant relief. A return to military rule had been widely speculated in the wake of the long-running political crisis that eventually toppled Khaleda.

Khaleda was returned for a second term in office following last month's general elections, marred by violence, stuffing of ballot boxes and a boycott by major opposition parties.

President Abdur Rahman Biswas dissolved parliament on Saturday under mounting opposition pressure and thus shifted the onus for holding fresh elections onto Khaleda's successor Habibur Rahman, head of the non-party, caretaker government.

Rahman, a former chief justice, is bound by law to hold the elections within 90 days of his appointment, a job made complicated by opposition demands that the Election Commission be reconstituted and a new voter list prepared.

"Everything can be done if political parties reach a consensus that peace will be maintained and there will be no vengeance," said Dr Atiur Rahman of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies.

"Bangladesh still has great political and economic potentials. To exploit them, healing of political wounds must start now. This, I believe, will usher in economic success," he told Reuters.

The caretaker government chief said his foremost task was to restore law and order, and he sought cooperation of all parties to accomplish it.

"If we can reconciliate -- and not retaliate -- the economic losses suffered in the political chaos could be made up soon. Everyone must put in their best to make democracy and development work in this country," Atiur Rahman said.

"Democracy has already its roots in Bangladesh. Its people love democracy and it's a great nation," one diplomat said. "But Bangladeshis need to strive harder to keep democracy on right keels," he told Reuters.

Analysts said they were worried by Khaleda Zia's public call to her followers on Saturday to retaliate.

"This is a very dangerous omen. We know she is upset but as a front-running political leader she just can't speak that language,' one said.

He said opposition leaders had called for restraint in the immediate aftermath of Khaleda's fall, and they must implement it strictly.