British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury observed that the popularity with which the caretaker government came to power seems to be on the wane as he said two years are a long time for an interim regime.
CG losing popularity : British HC Anwar Chy says two years a long time for an interim admn 
UNB, DHAKA 
"Yes, it is a longer period of time. Our view was that it should be as shorter as possible and actions should be as faster as possible so you get to the elections," he said in an exclusive interview with the news agency.
Choudhury said, "The longer you take to do anything, the more risky you are from unseen events. Even if you are brilliant, you are prone to risk from unseen events."
Asked if he felt that the government lost the popularity it took over with 16 months back, he said, "Yes, that looks to be true. You see popularity goes up and down."
During 90-minute interview at the envoy's residence, Choudhury spoke on a wide range of subjects, encompassing the fate of general election, notion about militarization, anti-graft trial, terrorism, climate change and bilateral trade and investment.
Asked whether he foresees silky road ahead of the elections, Choudhury, who closely watched twists and turns of political events in his four-year tenure, said road ahead of the elections seems less bumpy than six months ago and he is extremely hopeful about the election by next December.
"Road is definitely there-it is clear and the signpost is there. Hopefully, there is no major hole in the road ahead and people are now looking at the elections," said Choudhury, a most media-focused British diplomat the country ever has.
About a greater role of the army in governance, Choudhury said, "One should always guard against approaching militarization."
He, however, said the army is playing a strong supportive role in doing some good projects like voter registration and helping people in floods and cyclones, for examples. "So, something is welcome while other things people need to discuss-what is good and what is worrying."
Choudhury said, "Our position is very clear. Our national policy is to support the best election that Bangladesh can achieve for democratic government. Bangladesh should have a strong democracy and democracy would be the mode of our relations."
Asked whether the polls would get international credence without former ruling parties-BNP and Awami League-in the fray, he said:
"Our main effort is to help Bangladesh get to a level playing field for free and fair elections having a credible voter list and having credible scene so there is no serious doubt about rigging and no sign of money and muscleman factors that was part of the problem that led to a situation in 2006 and 2007."
Now, in December 2008, if the field is totally level, people will hopefully participate in the elections. Party position is entirely party decision. "But it would be a shame if everybody does not participate in the election, something for which the country is waiting for so long."
Asked about the polls under the state of emergency, he said, "We hope that it can be lifted totally allowing people to organise and enjoy the elections. If total lift is not possible, it must be lifted maximum in all practical sense."
When pointed out that past three elections were held without state of emergency and the elections results were by and large acceptable, Chowdhury said law and order and voters' safety must be ensured as elections must be physically safe and away from any intimidation.
"Our position is clear: the state of emergency should be lifted absolutely in all practical steps."
Asked about public perception that the government loyalists would be made elected under a plan as parties are alleging, he said, "I have heard about that but it is difficult for me to assess how real it is. We hear such rumours throughout my four years here. Even for last 15 months I used to hear many rumours. But we are doing our own assessment and analysis."
About Britain's position if the election results were manipulated, Choudhury said the "rigged or manipulated elections will not be acceptable to us. Election has to be free and fair". He said Britain had opposed the elections in 2007 on the allegation of rigging and "our position has not changed".
Asked about Awami League and BNP's demand for release of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, he said there is judicial process that must have transparency and integrity and due process must be followed without any discrimination.
Asked if he thinks due process is being followed, he said, "We are watching the process constantly and we can have comment on that at the end of the process."
Asked if he considers it weakness to hold trial of the two leaders on the one hand and reported behind-the-scene negotiations on the other to reach a deal, Chowdhury said he would not comment as it is a too sensitive matter to comment on.
About Cherie Blair's concern aired during her visit about Sheikh Hasina's health and suggestion for sending her abroad for treatment, he said, "I am sure the government took note of it."
About the government-political party dialogue, the Bangladeshi-origin British diplomat said the dialogue is welcome and it is up to the government and the parties to decide what issues they would discuss and reach consensus.
On National Security Council (NSC), he said they don't have any problem with that as such councils or committees exist in many countries. He cited as an example that Britain constituted the National Security and Emergency Committee after the terrorist attacks on London.
He said the Bangladeshis would take the decision about the role of the NSC and how to fit it in overall democratic structure. "We don't have any objection to that."
Asked about former US Ambassador Patricia Butenis and his efforts to figure out a consensus between BNP and Awami League before the 1/11 changeover, Choudhury said they had taken an initiative as they were asked by political parties to help overcome the situation.
"It is true we took the initiative as friends of Bangladesh to avert the situation. But, in the end, people made their own decisions. We are only just foreign friends. You don't have to listen to us. It is your country and you will decide."
Choudhury went on saying, "We felt if this country became a failed state, it is a problem for everybody. We wanted to avert that situation. There was an Islamic extremist threat and then the collapse in the governance in 2006 right up to 1/11 and we did our very best."
He said general people had agreed that the country would be heading towards a situation like Kenya after the unacceptable elections set for January 22. "We had to report to our governments and the governments instructed us to persuade the parties as much as we can to avoid that situation."
Chowdhury said they were worried because, first of all, "we are genuine friends of Bangladesh and secondly, Bangladesh is important to us. Our minds and hearts are attached to Bangladesh."
He noted that Britain sees Bangladesh as a partner with increased trade and development and they work together on climate change and fight against terrorism.
Asked why the last-minute talks failed before the imposition of the state of emergency, he said it is better to ask the political parties-BNP and Awami League.
"I think generally people always try to overplay their cards. There is no attitude of compromise," he said, adding, "To get a deal, there must be compromise. If everything is taken to eyeball-to-eyeball situation, you are lost. It is better to make a deal when you are not against the corner."
The High Commissioner had a further word on political culture here:
"One of the problems here is people overplay their hands. It is the culture of acrimony between political parties."
Asked about some skepticism that Westminster-type democracy is not effective in the context of a developing country like Bangladesh, Choudhury wondered if Bangladesh was truly following the Westminster model. "Political parties here wish to follow Westminster type, but is it followed in practice?"
Describing the British democracy of Westminster type as the best model, he said in this system, the opposition and the government always unite on national interests. There is rivalry, but within a framework of national interests. The opposition leader sits with the Prime Minister and there is a host of checks and balances.
In the UK, he said, there is party conference every year where leadership is challenged, changed, or new leadership emerges according to the needs of the environment.
Indicating Bangladesh's past confrontational politics, Choudhury said the Westminster democracy is not about fighting for five years and then have election. It is rather about attending parliament and discussing issues, he said, adding that Bangladesh can change its system as everything changes with development and different countries have different modes of democracy.
"But what is important is some correlation between the people and the parties. What people want is freedom to choose their own leaders," he noted.
About the longer tenure of the caretaker government, he said, "Nearly two years is a long time. I think those views were expressed at that time, but people in the end accepted the rationale of the roadmap."
He said people realised that it does take time to prepare a voter list of 80 to 90 million people. Besides, the government explained that they not only want to have the elections and acceptable results but a strong democracy, and for that its needs reform of some of the institutions that are weak. But two years are a long time.
Asked why so much stress is being given on terrorism in Bangladesh, Choudhury, himself a victim of grenade attacks in his ancestral hometown Sylhet, said "Terrorism is not solely Bangladesh's problem but it is a global one-and Bangladesh is vulnerable as we see. It's a wrong attitude to become complacent."
He, in this context, noted that Bangladesh did well in pursuing terrorists in 2006-2007. But the country should not feel complacent. "Out of the four Ps, Bangladesh is good in pursuing but it needs improvement in 'prevention, protection and preparation' to continue its fight against terrorism."
In reply to a question, Anwar said he would have been happy if the judicial process had completed before his departure. "However, we are glad that the culprits had been caught and put on trial. We hope justice must deliver."
He said a Joint Working Group of Counterterrorism comprising senior officials of the two countries would meet end of June or early August, possibly in Dhaka, to discuss ways and means of countering terrorism.
On adverse impact of climate change on Bangladesh, he said Britain provided 30 million pounds sterling to help Bangladesh undertake projects to adapt to the adverse impacts of the climate change.
About reported predicament of the Bangladeshi curry industry in the United Kingdom following introduction of the point-based immigration system, Choudhury said skilled chefs and managers have no problem under the new system and Bangladesh needs to export skilled workforce.
To another question, he said genuine Bangladeshi students would be in better position to get admitted into genuine colleges and universities in the UK under the point system.
Asked about awarding coal-mining contract to British company Asia Energy, he said it is purely a matter of the government to decide. "Our job is to support trade and investment and the British companies operating in foreign countries, and Asia Energy is one of them."
He said the Bangladesh government would have to take the decision about the mining method, export and royalty etc. "But the decision must be speedy and transparent. Slow decision or no decision makes people get fed-up. It is not good for image of the country. We ask for a fair treatment for an investor and for everybody else."
Painting a rosy picture of the Bangladesh-Britain bilateral relations that reached a new trajectory during his tenure, Choudhury said, "I am leaving Bangladesh with a song in my heart. I leave fulfilled with an objective analysis of all areas of our improved relations."
*****************************************
Sign the Petition : Release the Arrested University Teachers Immediately : An Appeal to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/university_teachers_arrest.htm
*****************************************
Daily Star publishes an interview with Mukto-Mona
http://www.mukto-mona.com/news/daily_star/daily_star_MM.pdf
*****************************************
MM site is blocked in Islamic countries such as UAE. Members of those theocratic states, kindly use any proxy (such as http://proxy.org/) to access mukto-mona.
*****************************************
Mukto-Mona Celebrates 5th Anniversary
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/5_yrs_anniv/index.htm
*****************************************
Mukto-Mona Celebrates Earth Day:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Earth_day2006/index.htm
*****************************************
Kansat Uprising : A Special Page from Mukto-Mona
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/kansat2006/members/
*****************************************
MM Project : Grand assembly of local freedom fighters at Raumari
http://www.mukto-mona.com/project/Roumari/freedom_fighters_union300306.htm
*****************************************
German Bangla Radio Interviews Mukto-Mona Members:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/german_radio/
Mukto-Mona Celebrates Darwin Day:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/index.htm
*****************************************
Some FAQ's about Mukto-Mona:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/new_site/mukto-mona/faq_mm.htm
****************************************************
VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/
****************************************************
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
-Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
__,_._,___