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I would like to draw attention of Mr. Aslam Ahmed for his POST dated May 11, 2007 11:46 PM. Where he outlined a corruption of Naher Shipping Lines Ltd. and accused Former President Late Mr. Mohammadullah with his Family.

As we all know he was so much famous for his honesty and dignity. I personally know he had no home of his own and lived a very simple life. I also heard about Naher Shipping Lines Ltd. that some of his so-called friends Fraud him and that company become sick day by day. Actually I delineate this matter because you stated several times that they are extremely wealthy.

I am requesting you please don’t alleged a people like him and his family.

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The Bangladesh Emergency is definitely an opportunity for the so-called "patriot military" that is in in power at this time. Doesn't this seem to be a business as usual?

Top posts of Army, Navy, Air Force has been upgraded
[
http://www.newagebd.com/front.html#11
May 19n 2007].

No wonder, the the "Patriotic" Junta boses are so expedient in upgrading their ranks
instead of wining the real battles. There is always a "Justification".

History has shown that General Ayub Khan gave himself the rank of Field Marshal after capturing the citadel of power in Pakistan.
http://www.storyofpakistan.com/

The current Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air force are decoration pieces that needs more
decoration !!!!
------0-----
Top posts of Army, Navy,
Air Force upgraded
Staff Correspondent,New Age BD
A proposal for upgrading the top posts in the three services has been approved by the president, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces, and is awaiting a gazette notification, establishment ministry sources said.
According to the proposal the rank of the chief of Bangladesh Army will be upgraded from lieutenant general to a full general, the chief of the Navy will be made a vice admiral instead of rear admiral while the top boss of the Air Force will be an air marshal instead of the present air vice marshal.
All principal staff officers of the Army, who are now major generals, will rise to the rank of lieutenant generals, the PSOs of Navy will be rear admirals instead of commodores and in the case of the Air Force the PSOs will be of the rank of air vice marshal instead air commodore.
The commandant of the National Defence College will also be of the rank of lieutenant general instead of major general.
The ministry of establishment on May 15 sent the proposal for the upgrades to the ministry of defence following its approval by the president and the chief adviser, officials said.
The upgrades of the tops posts of the Armed Forces will place them above the cabinet secretary and the principal secretary.
According to the present warrant of precedence, the chiefs of the three services, the cabinet secretary and the principal secretary are of the same status.

The Bangladesh Emergency is definitely an opportunity for the so-called "patriot military" that is in in power at this time. Doesn't this seem to be a business as usual?

Top posts of Army, Navy, Air Force has been upgraded
[
http://www.newagebd.com/front.html#11
May 19n 2007].

No wonder, the the "Patriotic" Junta boses are so expedient in upgrading their ranks
instead of wining the real battles. There is always a "Justification".

History has shown that General Ayub Khan gave himself the rank of Field Marshal after capturing the citadel of power in Pakistan.
http://www.storyofpakistan.com/

The current Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air force are decoration pieces that needs more
decoration !!!!
------0-----
Top posts of Army, Navy,
Air Force upgraded
Staff Correspondent,New Age BD
A proposal for upgrading the top posts in the three services has been approved by the president, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces, and is awaiting a gazette notification, establishment ministry sources said.
According to the proposal the rank of the chief of Bangladesh Army will be upgraded from lieutenant general to a full general, the chief of the Navy will be made a vice admiral instead of rear admiral while the top boss of the Air Force will be an air marshal instead of the present air vice marshal.
All principal staff officers of the Army, who are now major generals, will rise to the rank of lieutenant generals, the PSOs of Navy will be rear admirals instead of commodores and in the case of the Air Force the PSOs will be of the rank of air vice marshal instead air commodore.
The commandant of the National Defence College will also be of the rank of lieutenant general instead of major general.
The ministry of establishment on May 15 sent the proposal for the upgrades to the ministry of defence following its approval by the president and the chief adviser, officials said.
The upgrades of the tops posts of the Armed Forces will place them above the cabinet secretary and the principal secretary.
According to the present warrant of precedence, the chiefs of the three services, the cabinet secretary and the principal secretary are of the same status.

Prof Chowdhury and other high profiled writers would contribute better if they concentrate to suggest how Bangladesh should get rid of colonial type of bureaucracy and West Minister type of Democracy. The WM democracy leaves no avenue for peoples’ participation in governance of state affairs except casting a vote after every five years to legalize 300 godfathers to sit in the National Assembly. These 300 godfathers surrender to one goddess/ godfather, thus creating an autocracy in the name of so called democracy.

To get rid of such state of affairs, restructuring/ empowering the local Government bodies could be an alternative. High profile/ heavy weight Bureaucracy should be cut to size and put under command of local govts. MPs should be elected on the basis of professional representation and be restricted to law/ policy making duties only. Development and administrative jobs are to be left with local Govts. Like wise we would be needing many other reforms.

I would, therefore, appeal to Prof Chowdhury and high profiled thinkers/ writers at home and abroad to concentrate on such issues, instead of illuminating known facts.

I hope it is not too late to put in my two cents worth about the Caretaker Government's efforts to address the corruption issue.

My family is a direct victim of the continuing corruption of government officials. So it was with high expectation that I wrote to the Chairman of the newly constituted Anti Corruption Commission about our difficulties with the government agencies, and sent the letter by Federal Express from Canada on March 18, 2007.

As expressed in my letter to the Chairman, I went to his office on April 11, 2007 to make an appointment to meet with him. I was horrified by the cold reception that I received from his office. At first I was directed to put my complaint in the designated box. I explained that I had already sent my complaint by Federal Express and had a receipt from them. I then asked to speak to the Chairman's assistant. I was given a telephone number for Mr. Aftab Hossain Pramani, who informed me that an appointmet with the Chairman was not possible in the next three weeks. I requested a later date but was denied. Further, he is not aware of my complaint, and if one was sent it would be recorded and then reviewed. I protested that I had no acknowledgment for my letter. He said the office was under-staffed and besides the Commission would not take any action as it was a legal matter.

I am taking personal risk by bring this matter public, but I believe if the present government does no earnestly address the issue of corruption it will lose public support and put the country in greater peril. And yes, corruption can be eradicated from Bangladesh!

I have copied below my letter to the Chairman of the Anti Corruption Commission to provide the readers with a gist of corruption of government officials.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

DELIVERED BY FEDEX

Lt. General (Retd.) Hasan Mashud Chowdhury
Chairman, Anti Corruption Commission
1, Shegun Bagicha
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dear Sir:

Subject: Request for an investigation of corrupt practices of Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) officials and other government officials, redress from their actions, and assistance to enforce a judgment debt granted by the High Court.

I am emboldened to write to you in view of a recent change in government and a promise of zero tolerance and no-nonsense approach to corruption by the new government. My family in particular, is deeply gratified by this change of events and has authorized me to write to you about our continuing difficulties with ICB, and the enforcement of the judgment debt.

Enclosed under Sections A, B, and C are documents for your Commission’s perusal and action. There is some duplication of the documents as between sections A and B, so as to keep them self-contained and not disturb the reader’s train of thought. Combined, it is a comprehensive record that laments our suffering, aided and abetted in large part by egregiously corrupt government officials, over the last 22 years since the death of my father, Late Mohd. Ashraf Ahmed in September 1985.

I have copied below the last petition, (also included in Section A), that I made to former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia on September 7, 2004, there being no significant change to our situation since the time of the last writing:

(“Hon’ble Prime Minister,

Subject: Supreme Court decision in favour of minority shareholders of Nahar Shipping Lines Limited, corruption, and an offer to fund charitable cause.

I am writing this letter to you to request your government’s intervention to obtain resolution for a High Court decision dated December 4, 2001, as confirmed by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on March 12, 2003 (Attachments 1 and 2). The judgments are succinct and landmark.

In the above matter I had petitioned you as Prime Minister, on July 1, 1993 (Attachment 3). That letter tells the story of oppression on us as minority shareholders by the ex-President of Bangladesh Late Mr. Mohammadullah and his family as majority shareholders of the above company. That letter also speaks volumes of untold corruption of government officials in assisting the oppression and fraud on minority shareholders. Our letter to the Deputy Director, Bureau of Anti-Corruption on February 9, 1989, detailing the corruption and fraud went unheeded (Attachment 4). The contents of the foregoing letters formed the basis of our petition to the High Court in 1988 and again in 1997.

Briefly again, my family owned 27.05% of the voting shares of Nahar Shipping Lines, a public limited company operating two 1500-ton cargo vessels. Family and friends of ex-President late Mr. Mohammadullah own the balance of the shares. My father, late Mr. Ashraf Ahmed and late Mr. Mohammadullah were joint architects of the company. The company was funded in large part by loans from Bangladesh Shilpa Rin Sangstha (BSRS), and Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB). These institutions were in control of the company by various agreements, caveats in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, security of shares, and hypothecation of the vessels. They had also obtained personal guarantees from my family members as security. The company’s operations were always profitable from 1984. Upon my father’s death in 1985, Mr. Mohammadullah and his family members operated the company business as their personal property and did not allow us to participate in the affairs of the company. All throughout BSRS and ICB, who were owed large sums of money, always acted in concert with the Mohammadullah family to defeat our interests in the company, and putting their own security at risk. We petitioned the High Court in 1988 but failed because no law existed to specifically protect minority shareholders. The law changed in 1994 and we petitioned the Court again in 1997 and obtained judgments in our favour (Attachments 1 and 2 above).

Ordinarily, this matter should not come before you if it were only a civil dispute between two parties. However this is a matter in which government officials including those of BSRS, and ICB being also in control of the company have actively participated in the oppression and fraud on minority shareholders. In short, the aforementioned government officials in concert with the majority shareholders ganged up against the minority shareholders. Officials of the Ministry of Commerce and the Bureau of Anti-Corruption also turned a blind eye to our complaints about the misdemeanour in the public limited company. It is only fair that your government should be interested in this matter.

In this letter I also seek your government’s intervention to obtain a rescission of an ICB case numbered 38 of 2004 against my two sisters Rehana Ahmed and Shahana Ahmed, under the Bangladesh Artha Rin Act. In this connection I wrote to the Chairman, ICB, on July 7, 2004, and had the letter hand delivered by my sister Rehana Ahmed, but he has not addressed my letter (Attachment 5). In my letter, which is self explanatory, I have quoted extensively from the High Court decision (Attachment 1) that clearly shows ICB involvement in the oppression and fraud. I believe ICB is now using the provisions of this draconian Act to divert attention from its own involvement in causing oppression and fraud on us, after having put its own security at risk by acting in concert with the majority shareholders. I am confident we can make a case against ICB for breach of contract, but the matter will drag on forever in the courts. I am confident too that there are good and honest people in government who can see through the corruption of ICB officials and correct a wrongdoing. It is truly ironic that ICB is harassing my sister Rehana Ahmed, an educationist and a widow, for all the crimes it has itself committed.

Recently, I have written letters to Mrs. Syeda Sirajun Nahar, wife of Late Mr. Mohammadullah (Attachment 6) and to all other members of her family to request payment in accordance with the Court decisions but they are not responding. In accordance with the High Court order, all members of the Mohammadullah family, as shareholders of Nahar Shipping Lines Limited and as heirs of late Mr. Mohammadullah, jointly and severally owe the minority shareholders the following amounts as of July 7, 2004:

Principal Amount Tk. 7,49,12,071
Interest to July 7, 2004
-- (887 days) @ 7.5% Tk. 1,36,53,494

Total Tk. 8,85,65,565

Taka Eight crores, eighty-five lacs, sixty-five thousand, five hundred and sixty-five only.

The High Court in its judgment has accepted that the majority shareholders have not accounted for at least Tk. 27,69,39,264 (Taka Twenty seven crores, sixty nine lacs, thirty nine thousand, two hundred and sixty four), of which it awarded 27.05% to us as amounts being rightfully ours.

Since receiving the court judgments we have obtained advice that based on the current law and order situation in the country generally, enforcing the said judgment in Bangladesh is not possible. It make no sense to petition to bankrupt the debtors considering the debtors are extremely wealthy, in large part from the business of Nahar Shipping Lines Limited. Thus far it has taken us sixteen years to obtain only an award of judgment in our favour. Our extensive enquiries reveal that the majority shareholders have transferred their assets in other names, and benami accounts. Ordinary people like us simply do not have recourse on these matters without government assistance, in the prevailing climate in Bangladesh.

My family proposes that in consideration of your government’s assistance to help us obtain complete satisfaction to date, in respect of the aforementioned judgment, my family shall provide, if you so agree, as follows:

1. Taka one crore scholarship fund, the income from which will be used to offer a merit scholarship to one high school student from every district, to pursue higher education. The details will be developed upon your agreement.

Or,

2. Taka one crore to be disbursed equally among Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Jahangir Nagar and Khulna universities, to institute separate and independent study of corruption in Bangladesh. In the past you have talked about “unbridled corruption”. Even the membership section of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party website requires as one of its condition of membership “I shall never promote corruption” (http://www.bnpbd.com/fmembership.php).

The last nineteen years has been a tremendous strain on my family, financially and emotionally, primarily due to the incalculable corruption of government officials. Corruption is a cancer that is eating away at the heart and soul of Bangladesh society. I am certain that with goodwill, responsible institutions, good government and firm parliamentary oversight, this dangerous disease can be significantly reduced, if not altogether eliminated.

You have our entreaties once again to help us obtain relief from the Mohammadullah family and ICB. I am anxious to hear from you at your earliest convenience.”)

I received no reply to my above petition at any time thereafter.

The only change that has taken place since writing the above petition is the increase in the value of the judgment debt by additional interest authorized by the High Court order. I would reiterate that it is not possible to enforce the judgment debt without government assistance. We would be in denial to think otherwise. Further, my family’s desire and commitment to fund either charitable cause remains undiminished.

It is sad to see government agencies become instruments of state oppression. Our records will indicate to you that we have complained to ICB and other government officials many times about the manner in which government officials have assisted to put our investment and ICB’s own security in jeopardy. It is truly ironic and paradoxical that ICB should now seek to oppress us for doing the right thing for 22 years, and that too, shortly after having received High Court judgments in our favour. We believe that a thorough investigation of our complaint to you will leave you in no doubt about the malafide intentions of ICB officials.

I have prepared a list of proposed questions (Section C) that I thought your Commission might wish to consider, in addition to its own, to ask of ICB officials, to ascertain their bonafide in pursuing their money suit against us.

My family requests your Commission to ask ICB to seek immediately, only an adjournment of proceedings in Matter No 38 in the Artharin Court, until your Commission has had the opportunity to fully investigate our complaint. If your investigation finds our complaint is justified, then ICB should be compelled to withdraw its suit against my family and send us letters confirming that no monies are due from any member of my family.

My family also requests most fervently, your Commission’s unstinted assistance to recover the judgment debt from the majority shareholders, who are extremely wealthy, in large part from the business of Nahar Shipping Lines Limited.

My sister, Rehana Ahmed who lives in Dhaka is in the US with her daughters, recuperating from the effects of a stroke. I live in Canada. We both plan to be in Dhaka in mid April 2007, and we request that you permit us to meet with your Commission officials, to personally plead our case for assistance. In the meantime, I am readily available to answer any question that your Commission may have.

May I finally request that your office send me an acknowledgement of this complaint to you.

Yours most sincerely,

Aslam Ahmed

Enclosed: Sections A, B and C as attachments.

6514 Cedar Rapids CrescentMississauga, OntarioCanada, L5N 7P5Telephone: 905-824-6516email: zzaahmed@sympatico.ca House 35/B, Flat 2/A (2nd Floor)Road 3, ShaymoliDhaka, BangladeshTelephone: 9122103email: zzaahmed@sympatico.ca

I agree with you about the two ladies and the damage both have done to the country but I am also a barrister and never allowed either party to treat me like a chicken but why have all the others that you mentioned allowed this behaviour?

My contention is that we must also safeguard our national interests and not lose sight of this while we prosecute those who were engaged in misdeeds over the last 37 years.What has transit, gas export and the other benefits that we are giving India (to no benefit to our economy but in fact inflicting a loss to our country in terms of wealth and security)have to do with democracy, accountability and free and fair elections i.e. NOTHING AT ALL.

Mr MBI Munshi, don't blame india, pakistan or other countries for our misdeed. Definitely they
didn't make us the top corrupted country in the world. Every time, some people try to blame this way and that way but never blame themselves. Now this is the right time to take responsibility of our nation not blaming business. If you have nice suggestion, please tell about that. The two begums have no job experience or education ( One even not high school degree) before being a prime minister, but they are so powerful (with the help of mafia advisor) that they behave with the barristers, professors, intellectuals like a chicken. Please think impartially, what we got last 36 years but what supposed to get that time. If you are not the beneficiary of two begums or blind eyed, please help our country not the mafia. God bless Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has been on the crossroads many times before.

A state of emergency or something close to it is nothing new ever since military takeovers began in 1975 with Gen. Zia, slain husband of the former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Even though the present care-taker government has taken a populist stand by sidelining the two 'Begums', the cause for the nation's many misfortunes, deferring or postponing democratic elections is not the step to bring the country out of the mess.

History has been witness to many 'well-wishers' like the present caretaker government remote controlled by the armed forces, to stay on in power indefinitely. The common perception in Bangladesh is to see the present government in power. But that would hardly be a better long term prospect than a free, democratically elected leader. The chances of the army digging in deeper has become clear after the Noble Laureate economist Mohd. Yunus gave up his ideas of floating a political party.

We all know how corrupt the armed forces can get after they taste political power forcibly. Gen.Ershad's rule was a glaring example of the excesses of misuse of power.

Only time will tell whether the present men in uniform are really committed to root out corruption and cleanse politics rather than seize the opportunity to gradually set the stage for another legacy of dictatorship. If the latter turns out to be true, the religious fundamentalist will be the real beneficiaries.

This analogy is drawn from the routine steps taken by Bangladesh, like Pakistan, to make former democratically elected leaders redundant.

The mullah-military nexus is a known fact in Pakistan and beyond since the armed forces and the intelligence agencies were known to have surreptiously nurtured the Taliban not too long ago.

You are right not another Pakistan (nor another India either) but a truly independent Bangladesh free from the dictates of Indian hegemony and economic exploitation.

Writer has some valid points that we all Bangladeshi needs to focus on. We do need to cleanup mess of least 37 years. But under any circumstances we need to be another Pakistan. A guilty person should be prosecuted under our law. And military should be in barracks. They have no business running the country.

CORRECTED VERSION OF MY COMMENTS -

Professor Mahfuz R. Chowdhury had written at least two articles for the American Chronicle berating the economic performance of Bangladesh on what were clearly dubious grounds. In his present write-up for the Washington Post he contradicts his previous assertions and argues, “Contrary to popular belief, Bangladesh is a resource-rich country, and has remained so even after years of exploitation by a number of foreign powers, including the Mughals, the British, and the Pakistanis. The country is filled with rich coal and gas reserves, and it also has a competent workforce.” One must wonder why he did not include India in his list of foreign exploitative countries. He also failed to mention that the interim government has agreed to provide India with transit and a gas pipeline from Myanmar. They have relented on many other issues and demands of India that the democratically elected parties refused to accept because of perceived public disapproval. The real issue in Bangladesh apart from the lack of democratic credentials of the interim government is that it has been installed to sell out the economic interests of the country and it would appear to me that Professor Mahfuz R. Chowdhury is part of that agenda.

Writer viewed correctly & that we all Bangladeshi’s needs to focus on it. We need to cleanup the all political mess and stop all political activities at least 5 years.

I am now 70 years old and in my whole life I saw
3 fair elections in that part of the world. First, 1946 General Election in British rule,second was in 1954 in Pakistani rule and the third in 1970 and that too in Pakistani rule.

In addition to above, I saw many more General
Elections and none of them was fair.

I think the next General Election under the present Care Taker Government would be fair.

Needless to mention here that all people of
Bangladesh, except the corrupt ones, are very
very happy with the present Government and they
prefer continuation of this Government and
they don't want Election.

Professor Mahfuz R. Chowdhury had written at least two articles for the American Chronicle berating the political performance of Bangladesh on what were clearly dubious grounds. In his present write-up for the Washington Post he contradicts his previous assertions and argues, “Contrary to popular belief, Bangladesh is a resource-rich country, and has remained so even after years of exploitation by a number of foreign powers, including the Mughals, the British, and the Pakistanis. The country is filled with rich coal and gas reserves, and it also has a competent workforce.” One must wonder why he did not include India in his list of foreign exploitative countries. He also failed to mention that the interim government has agreed to provide India with transit and a gas pipeline from Myanmar. They have relented on many other issues and demands of India that the democratic elected parties refused to accept because of perceived public disapproval. The real issue in Bangladesh apart from the lack of democratic credentials of the interim government is that it has been installed to sell out the economic interests of the country and it would appear to me that Professor Mahfuz R. Chowdhury is part of that agenda.

It is very clear that Md. Shahidul Islam’s and Najmul Ahsan’s loyalties lie with the two main opposition parties in Bangladesh. Obviously they don't want what's good for the common people of Bangladesh. I agree with many of reader in that the CTG should be given more time to implement the necessary electoral reforms to hold free/fair elections.

Going by people’s reactions during my trip 2 months ago, if the people could choose, they would keep the CTG in power for at least 5 years. I am sure Mr. Haroon Rashid would agree with that assessment.

However, I also partially agree with DR. M. Badruddoja in that Hasina and Khalida should be kicked out of the country. Their presence will only undermine the CTG and the progress they are making. The only acceptable alternative is to publicize the corruptions of their respective governments and hold them accountable.

Don't get me wrong, I am a proponent of a true democracy in Bangladesh but I am also a firm believer of an old Bangladeshi proverb, "Jemon Kukur, themon Mugur". Given the history of how things work in Bangladesh, AWL and BNP (inclusive of Hasina and Khalida) should be barred from participating in the elections. My family and I have been supporter for the AWL for 3 generations. My father was a POW in Pakistan during the war and my grandfather a freedom fighter and we all idolize Shaikh Mujibur Rahman. However, we all MUST put aside our party-affiliations and work for the betterment of Bangladesh. I sincerely thank Prof. Chowdhury for highlighting the political issues in Bangladesh and raising awareness of the situation there.

I was in Dhaka 2 months ago and was taken aback by the order and civility in the airport. There were no "VIP" escorts to bring people to the front of the line. They airport staff were courteous and respectful of fellow travelers, just like it should be.

The author has done the right thing,by bringing the truth behind the far cry of the political parties for an early election.

AWL is asking for early election to cash on BNP's past misdeeds and corruption on the last past regime but, forgetting that AWL itself did the samething from 1996-2001 which is no longer fresh in the short memory mindful people of Bangladesh.

We can't even remember yesterday.

Thanks to the writer.

You have my whole support.

Thanks
Kawser Jamal
www.changeBangladesh.com

I am appalled at the personal attacks and comments made by Mr. Shahidul Islam towards Prof. Mahfuz Chowdhury. Mr. Shahid made no attempt to critically analyze the article. Mr. Shahid speaks about rule of law and constitutionalism, I can only wonder what he thinks when both the 'begums' show their middle fingers to the rule of law and the constitutional process of the country. Mr. Shahid's comments only portray him as a croony of either of the corrupt parties that have been in power in the last 16 yrs.

I commend the thoughtful article of Mr. Mahfuz Chowdhury. He has given us a clear but precise picture of the current corrupt political and non democractic political parties of the two begums. These two ladies are power hungry and to them it is only about winning the elections. They have no agenda to move the country forward or to alleviate the chronic poverty and illiteracy that prevails in the country.

For the best interest of the people and the country of Bangladesh, it would be better off if these two inept and uneducated ladies would be barred from politics for the rest of their lives.

Long Live Bangladesh and the hopes of its 140 million people.

Dear Editor:
The article of Dr. Chowdhury is partly correct and partly incorrect.But the current events shows that current CTG has taken a wrong policy, ill thought policy and have lost its credibility.I feel at this time that current CTG is standing on one leg.If this CTG stands on one leg for a long time then they will sustainn fracture of the leg and will be in the hospital for a long time for the treatment.The nation was in euphoria after 1/11.That euphoria i s over.The proof of such PASS OVER EUPHORIA" is the event of arrival of Hasina another corrupt politicians without any background.It means that nation wants corrupt politicians back again and it means whole nation is corrupt.At the same time I appears that European Unioin and the current Ambassadar of United KIngdom to Bangladesh is playing great role to shape Bangladesh politics and encouraging the nation to be more corrupt.Still the nation does not know what interest these organization and this partricular person have in Bangladesh politics.Are they getting any KICk BACK from corrupt politicians of Bangladesh?
Very likely the current CTG will fail.The country will be in square one. The nation will probably heading twards a civil war.
To avoid the fracture of the leg of CTG it is imparative for CTG to stand on two legs or to resigne or call for immediate election without reform which politicians do not want and let the politicians make Bangladesh as personal property of of few families.

Professor Chowdhury, in addition to painting an accurate and accessible portrait, makes a persuasive case for the interim government.

But one wonders at the wisdom of a policy which bends the rule of law - one of the pillars of liberal democracy. After all, the interim government is constitutionally limited in its duration. But as a practical matter, the rule of law is routinely flouted by both political parties. Witness the corruption at the highest levels, the AL's extra-constitutional demands which shut down the electoral process to begin with and endemic political thuggery.

Mr. Chowdhury's piece puts the optimist in the mood of declaring "look to Turkey" with respect to the role of the military. Of course, military regimes have been some of the most despicable in history (to which Bangladesh is no stranger), so great caution is necessary. But in Turkey's case the military has provided a steady, non-partisan hand and it is now stepping back voluntarily from the levers of power as democratic institutions have matured. Of course Bangladesh does not have the EU, but Asia offers some promise of its own.

I have to congratulate Mr.Chowdhury for his candid analysis of the Bangladeshi situation. By all means we have to stick to this correct Caretaker Government to better fulfill the Bangladeshi people’s aspirations. Like Mr.Chowdhury I have also noticed the sudden push to election will only benefit a few and hide the true intentions of the people of Bangladesh who wants to purge the corruption and nasty politics from the day to day life of our two violent political groups. It’s about time we have a change and it will help build a prosperous and happy Bangladesh which everyone in Bangladesh wants except the two main political parties.

For Najmul Ahsan. I guess you dont live in Bangladesh. Otherwise you never commented like this. People of Bangladesh are living in Utopia. After 1/11 our life has been changed. The first time Bangladesh is enjoying the democratic flavor under the rule of emergency. The so called emergency didnt hamper our life in any aspect. We want to continue our happiness with this government as long as possible. It is easy to give 'democratic' lecture being thousand miles away from country. But it is not easy living under the so called democratic system we lived in past 16 years. They two begum made our life a hell.

Many international media, journalists and intelectuals have no idea how much the change of the government affect our life positively.

Nobody in Bangladesh living in fear even it is called emergency. Except the corrupt politicians, all are happy. If this government can continue like this for next 10 years, we will reach to the level of Vietnam or Thailand.

I appreciate the author of this article for his correct analysis of the current situation of Bangladesh without being biased by any corner.

Dear Editor

I agree partly with the contents of the article. Its nice to see that the Fakhruddin Ahmed-led government directly backed by the army wants to do something good for the nation. But you know militarization of everything is not good for a budding democracy like Bangladesh. Corruption is so deep-rooted here that none could eradicate it from every spehre of life in a tenure of an interim administration. It has to be addressed by the political government or politicians who are largely blamed for the curse. I don't agree with the present government on the view that politicians did not do any good for the people. They did a lots, including our precious independence. At least people now here do not die sans food.

I disagree with Najmul Ahsan. Though we know that in past people with UNIFORMS did fool us. But the present Army is not doing so rather they are trying to assist the present caretaker govt. We should praise the present Army backed caretaker govt. so long they (Army) are inside the barrack. In other words they should be in their boots.

Dear editor,

Living in a civilized world, how can someone could even contemplate a scenario where a millitary backed government which has no clear constitutional basis can fix a broken political system. Moreover, It is not the duty of the members of the armed forces to command and control the politics of a democratic nation,
I think the author, Prof. Chowdhury would be better off if he can keep himself off from praising present millitary backed (or controlled) government of Bangladesh.
People of Bangladesh are smart enough to be fooled by people with uniforms.

May I make a small correction, military backed interim government came in power on 11th January, not 12th. But, of course, I fully agree with the contents of this article. It contains exact picture of today's Bangladesh. But, it will be much expected from the interim government of Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed to adopt excellent policy in combating Islamofascist forces from Bangladesh, especially from the judicial system. Moreover, Dhaka needs to take newer approach in its foreign policy in having closer ties with the international community as well as establishing relations with Israel, which is the only democracy in the Middle East. The government also needs to end repression of journalists.

Let us make no mistake about this: the nation remains, overwhelmingly, a country of economically and socially very disadvantaged people who are locked in patron-client relations with the well-to-do and powerful, essentially rentier, classes - jotdars/middlemen/money-lenders. The economic and social institutions of the country are as a rule in the grip of such rentier classes with a two-way relationship with the downtrodden: on the one hand the 'master' exploits them in all sorts of ways to enjoy their cheap labour and appropriate their property with all kinds of manipulations and often force; on the other hand when a downtrodden is in the direst distress a generous-looking hand may be extended to help him/her barely keep the head above water, with exploitative money-lending kind or even seemingly charitable kind of means making the victim infinitely grateful for the act, and hopeful that such help as a last resort to survive will continue to be available if one serves the kindly 'master' well.

A fair contest for national elections essentially means extending a party's net to catch the largest number of such hapless clients without taking recourse to visible terrorism, and it is no secret that as little as a 20Tk/- dole and putting one on a truck on the way to the polling station is often sufficient to win a vote.

This kind of patron-client relation is actually the meaning of "large grass-roots base" that such-and-such a jotdar-middlemen-money lender party is said to have in assessing a party's electoral prospects. And we know that the parties have no serious plans and programmes to lead the nation to the path of high economic growth with equity that has characterized the performance of the Asian Tigers in recent times. Instead, all are dangerously over-relying on one single industrial sector - the garments industry - and remittances from our expatriates as growth engines. And we are wasting the potentials our people have to join as major actors in the nation's entrepreneurship to fly much higher and show that we, too, can have spectacular growth with equity by following principles that are today well known in development thinking.

In brief, merely political democracy and "good governance" without economic democracy will not carry the nation very far. Recall that the system of democracy came in Europe after feudalism was destroyed. In trying to have political democracy in Bangladesh without destroying feudalism futile attempt is being made to :put the cart before the horse", and the attempt will keep failing again and again.

I would like to thank the author for writing such a clear account of the situation of Bangladesh. Of course, the people of Bangladesh want democracy - but they also understand that the kind of reform which is required to hold a meaningful election in Bangladesh can easily take 2 years.

The attempt to excile 2 leaders was probably a mistake - but the current Government was quick to realize it and back track. The Government should not be blamed for a mistake which they eventually did not make.

In response to the harsh words of M. Shahidul Islam, I would like to point out that the author, Prof. Chowdhury, has not given a blank check to either the army or to the current caretaker government. He has clearly taken a stand in favor of the return of democracy. All that he has asked for is that people be patient and give the caretaker government some time to introduce electoral reforms and bring corrupt bigwigs to justice. If successful, such reforms could hugely strengthen democracy in Bangladesh in the long run.

The author's view correctly protrays the peoples' feeling about the two feuding begums. We are sick and tired of these two elements bringing down the economy with hartals and street agitation. I strongly feel that the states rule and law must be uphold. The two begums and their accomplishes must be brought to justice within the framework of our law. That is exactly what the the present caretaker government is doing. In addition, our military is matured and prudent enough not to takeover state power - something they can't swallow!

Dear editor,

The author of the article has no concern for the rule of law and constitutionalism, the very factors that are supposed to hold together a post-colonial society with a chequered history of military takeovers.

One only needs to examine the intent and the initiative of the current administration to exile the two former leaders. The move was a step to push the nation back to the age of darkness.

If the leaders of the past are found to be corrupt, something only a competent court has the right to decide upon, people want them to be tried within the country. How can a civilized nation think of exiling to, or barring its citizen from coming home? What is politics sans rule of law?

It is utterly surprising that a paper like the WP carries a story of a seemingly ineptitude academic who is blindly partisan and oblivious of the fact that, throughtout history, people alleged to have committed crimes are brought back to their native country by using extradition treaties, not vice a versa. That is law in action.

The author is rather supportive of the government's brutal tactic and barbarism. He is also supportive of a military that has institutionalized corruption in the country during its direct rule from 1975-91.

One wonders if the author is aware how the current administration came to power and who put them there by-passing the constitutional requirements?

Given that many Bangladeshi intellectuals harbour ambition to become ministers in their native country, the author might have decided to despoil his sole to fulfil such an evil ambition to make quick bucks which his teaching job in the USA does not provide.

That aside, we are appalled by the author's lack of insight, which can only be compared with what the Iraqi expatriate, Ahmed Chalabi, told the US government about what prevailed in the pre-invasion Iraq.

It's time the US government and the media start listening to people who are impartial and honest and, stop supporting illegal regimes around the world.