[ALOCHONA] New govt. must not settle political scores

New govt. must not settle political scores   Moinuddin Naser in New York   US conservative think tank Heritage Foundation (HF) has recommended that Washington should work with India, European Union Countries, Australia and Japan to encourage the Awami League-led government to build bridges with the political opposition and to avoid monopolising state political and economic power.    The recommendations said the new government in Bangladesh must use this opportunity not to settle political scores, but to solidify gains in the democratic process and improve governance in order to support the Bangladeshi people, revive the country's economy, and limit opportunities for radical Islamists.    It added that successful polls are only the first step in achieving a functional democratic process. Unless the new government demonstrates a commitment to rooting out corruption, improving governance and bolstering the economy, it risks creating an environment of instability, which would render itself ineffective and provide an opening for new military intervention. With 40 per cent of the Bangladeshi population still living on less than $1 a day and amid new economic uncertainties created by the global economic downturn, the new government cannot afford to waste any time in implementing measures to revitalise the economy and in continuing the business and economic reforms begun under the interim government.    The HF recommendations were submitted on Monday Last (January 5, 2009) the day when Obama came to Washington DC from Chicago. The foundation pointed out that these countries played a key role in ensuring the elections.    The HF stated: "It is unclear whether the military will completely relinquish power now that elections have been held."    One crucial indicator will be whether the current and retired military officers -- placed in key political positions over the last two years -- will retain their government jobs after the Awami League government takes over. There are signs that some military leaders believe the army should continue to have a direct role in governing the country, it added.        ]New govt's responsibility    The HF recommendations further said that while supporting the newly elected democratic government the US should make it clear that it is the new government's responsibility to prove that it is capable of improving governance and rooting out corruption within its own ranks.    Washington must also encourage the new government to take a strong stand against Islamist extremists that have sought to exploit weak institutions, corruption, and lack of good governance to make political inroads and have used violence to intimidate opponents.    Finally, Washington should encourage the BNP to honour the election results and play an appropriate role in Parliament in order to effectively address the nation's pressing challenges.    The recommendations were forwarded by Research Fellow on South Asia    Lisa Curtis and Resaerach Assistant Nicholas Hamisevicz of the Asian Division of the Heritage Foundation. Lisa Curtis once served in India and Pakistan embassies of the USA and Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and also in the South Asian Division of the State Department.    The recommendations mentioned that Jamaat-e-Islami had ties with Bangla Bhai and predicted that Sheikh Hasina is likely to take a tougher position toward Islamist extremists than Khaleda Zia did during her tenure. The recommendations added: Hasina survived an assassination attempt by Islamic extremists in August 2004 when grenades were thrown at one of her political rallies, killing 20 of her supporters. The BNP had ruled from 2001 to 2006 in coalition with Islamist parties. BNP coalition partner Jamaat-e-Islami apparently had ties to extremist leader Bangla Bhai, who promoted Islamic revolution in Bangladesh and was executed by the interim government in March 2007. In August 2005, widespread bombings conducted by the Jamaat-ul Mujahedeen Bangladesh (JMB)-whose stated goal is to impose strict Islamic rule-alarmed both domestic and international observers about the threat posed by local extremist groups. Just last week, Bangladeshi police arrested seven JMB-linked militants armed with grenades and explosives.    The report mentioned that Indian leaders, increasingly concerned about Dhaka's response to Islamist extremists that also allegedly target India-especially its northeastern states that border Bangladesh-have welcomed Sheikh Hasina's victory. Harakat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI), a terrorist organisation founded by Pakistan-based leader Fazlur Rehman with ties to al-Qaeda, apparently remains active in Bangladesh. India's new Home Minister P. Chidambaram recently told the Indian parliament that Bangladesh had a responsibility to control the HuJI. http://www.weeklyholiday.net/front.html#06

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