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.