[ALOCHONA] Joint Bangladesh UK Parliamentary Inquiry on Climate Change

Joint Bangladesh/UK Parliamentary Climate Change Inquiry       "Climate Change Equity: is it a plan, an aspiration or a fashion statement?"     This inquiry will produce a report which it is intended will be presented at the UNFCCC COP15 conference in Copenhagen in December, 2009.   Call for evidence   The remit of the inquiry, which is convened by the Bangladesh All Party Parliamentary Group on Climate Change and Environment and the UK All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group, is to:   •           Explore what is meant by "equity" in existing international agreements and statements on tackling climate change •           To ask how definitions of equity, as above impact on Bangladesh and the UK respectively •           To consider leading proposals for climate change frameworks which specifically include equity as a guiding principle •           To consider the tensions and trade-offs between mitigation and adaptation agendas as they impact on the two countries •           To consider the costs of tackling climate change in each country •           To garner the views of citizens in each country about their perceptions of the possible impacts of climate change on their lives •           To explore themes of common action which both countries should undertake to address climate change to ensure an equitable share of burden taking and to make practical recommendations to both governments on accomplishing this     Broader themes to consider could include:   What are the best methods of transferring technology from developed to developing countries?   What are the opportunities for developing carbon markets and establishing a carbon price which reflects the need for substantial effort to respond to climate change?   What should be the participant countries base line expectations of a post-Kyoto framework?   What international institutional arrangements are necessary to facilitate the global response to climate change?   How can climate change policy assist in the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals?   What problems created by climate change impact uniquely on participant states and which need special attention?   What impacts on participant states would different GHG stabilisation levels have?   A schematic of these issues is reproduced below:         Background   Bangladesh   Since achieving independence in 1971, Bangladesh's GDP has more than tripled in real terms, food production has increased threefold, population growth rate declined from around 3% in 1974 to 1.4% in 2006 and the country is now largely food secure. Bangladesh may well become a middle income country by 2021.   Despite these successes, more than 50 million of its population still live in poverty and in ecologically fragile regions of the country, such as river islands and cyclone prone coastal belts that are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters.   Government of Bangladesh (GoB) is committed to realising its MDG targets including halving poverty and hunger by 2015 through a strategy of pro-poor growth and climate resilient development.   Bangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to Climate Change and this is already severely challenging its ability to achieve the high rates of growth needed to sustain these reductions in poverty. In the coming years, it is projected there will be increasingly frequent and severe floods, tropical cyclones, storm surges and droughts which will have a hugely disruptive impact on the economy.   A one metre rise in sea level will result in the displacement of almost 30 million people – "environmental refugees" – from southern coastal regions and have unimaginable adverse impacts on livelihood and long term health of a large proportion of the population. Melting glaciers in the Himalayas will result in more waters rushing into Bangladesh from the north causing flooding in the shot term and eventually lead to scarcity of water in the long run.   More than half of the workforce in Bangladesh is employed in agriculture, and as a recent report showed, this is also an especially vulnerable sector:   "On average during the period 1962-88 Bangladesh lost about half a million tons of rice annually as a result of floods, equivalent of nearly 30 percent of the country's average annual food grain imports. Future climate change trends are set to worsen agricultural conditions; a study by the International Rice Research Institute showed that a 1 degree Celsius increase in night temperature during the growing season would reduce global rice yields by 10 percent." (Linda Starke (ed) State of World 2009: Confronting Climate Change, Earthscan, 2009 p157)   Bangladesh emits about 34,000,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, and has a population of 148 million. Its CO2 emissions are no more than 0.1% of the global total. It has hardly benefited at all from investment through the Clean Development Mechanism.   For Bangladesh, the challenge and imperative is primarily one of Adaptation.     United Kingdom   The UK has one of the best developed climate change policy platforms in the world.   With the passage of the Climate Change Act in 2008, low carbon route maps and a UK Climate Impacts Programme, it seeks to both mitigate and plan for the impacts of climate change, predicated on an objective of a containment of any temperature increase to no more than 2 degrees Celsius.   However, as a recent government publication on the government's approach to Copenhagen has shown, even if policy aimed to limit GHG emissions to 450 ppmv CO2e, that would only provide for a 50/50 chance of keeping temperature increase to less than 2 degrees. Hence, planning for adaptation to climate change is more likely to revolve around a rise of 4 degrees.   For the UK, Mitigation is thus a clear priority.   Submissions   Evidence is sought from civil society and all those who are concerned to achieve an equitable and fully inclusive deal on climate change in Copenhagen.   Submissions should be made in electronic form only at the same time (PDF and/or HTML format) to both of the Convenors of the inquiry listed below.   Submissions must be made by October 12th 2009. All submissions may be published as part of the reports of the inquiry at the Convenors' discretion.   Submissions will preferably consist of no more than 3,000 words.   Publication of the Inquiry's report   The report will be published online by each All-Party Group. Copies will be sent to our respective governments and circulated to parliamentary and associate members of each Group, as well as to other recipients including Commonwealth members.   It is hoped that the report will be discussed in our respective Parliaments.   Publication will take place during course of the December Copenhagen conference.   Convenors:   Bangladesh:   Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP All Party Parliamentary Group Office Room 431-432, Level 4, South West Block                              Bangladesh Parliament, Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka – 1207, Bangladesh Tel: (+8802) 831 5043  /   (+880) 171152 3403) Fax: (+8802) 831 1967 saberchowdhury@yahoo.com www.saberchowdhury.com     United Kingdom:   Colin Challen MP House of Commons London  SW1A 0AA United Kingdom   Tel: (+0044) (0)207 219 8260 Fax: (+0044) (0)207 219 1982 colinchallenmp@parliament.uk     Convenors' statement   This inquiry, the first of its kind to be conducted by Parliamentarians in our two countries, is designed to flush out the ambiguities that surround the concept of equity in climate change negotiations.   We are frustrated by the lack of clarity which characterises the global approach to this issue, which we believe is brought about by concerns that both developed and developing countries have about how to share the burden of tackling climate change.   We believe that this lack of clarity and shared purpose is the greatest barrier to success in the UNFCCC negotiations.   We wish to demonstrate in our joint approach that parliamentarians from our two countries can help resolve the burden sharing riddle.   Bangladesh is a country which is most often quoted as being one of the first that will suffer badly from the impacts of climate change; the UK is a country which since the industrial revolution has contributed most to the problem – and which now professes political leadership on the subject.   We believe that if we as Parliamentarians from these two countries can bridge these differences, and develop a shared understanding of our respective burdens and challenges, we could propose a model for the developed and developing worlds.       Background on the All Party Parliamentary Groups   Bangladesh   Formation of All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Climate Change and Environment was announced by Honourable Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Advocate Abdul Hamid on June 21st 2009 with Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP, as its Chair.   Abdul Momin Talukder MP, Bir Bahadur MP, Jafrul Islam Chowdhury MP, Junaid Ahmed Palak MP, Tanvir Shakil Joy MP, Hamida Bhanu MP and Rumana Mahmud MP are Vice Chairs of the APPG.   Following free and fair elections to the 9th Parliament on December 2008 which witnessed the  highest ever turnout of voters, one of the key challenges Bangladesh faces is to make its Parliament functional, effective and focal point of all debates, discussions and decision making on national concerns, policies and imperatives.   This in turn necessitates dialogue and interaction amongst MPs across party lines, hopefully leading towards consensus building on issues of critical national importance.   Climate Change is one such area and as one of the countries most vulnerable to its impacts, this is an issue of paramount importance to the people of Bangladesh.   The APPG sees Climate Change and Environment as both a development challenge and a governance opportunity.   Climate Change is unquestionably a very large part of the overall environmental challenge that confronts Bangladesh but the issue of degradation of the environment within the country, and costs and impact thereof, also needs focus and attention.   The Group aims to:   •           Facilitate and develop cross party consensus building, recognizing the importance of environment as a whole and climate change in particular and formulating policy initiatives / guidelines that will be followed even when there is a change in Government. •           Network with regional and international Forums and Groups on Climate Change and establish strategic alliances and common positions and standards.   •           Inform and educate the people at large on issue of climate change and environment and build awareness thereof.   •           Promote political leadership and stewardship of the climate change and environment agenda.   •           Develop linkages between lawmakers, local government representatives, opinion builders, business communities and NGOs to promote an advanced level of understanding and cooperation between important stakeholders on coordinated responses and actions to adaptation and promotion of sustainable environmental governance.   •           Advocate specific policy initiatives to mainstream climate change and environment.   •           Encourage and promote use of renewable / alternative energy throughout Bangladesh   United Kingdom   The All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group was founded in 2005. The objectives of the group are:      "to deliver material and meaningful progress on climate change by creating an arena in which interested and relevant parties are able to discuss and formulate policy options and encourage the application of those that offer greatest promise. In particular the group expects to:   •           Facilitate greater public action. While it is the role of Government to provide leadership on climate change it is the obligation of every member of society to take responsibility for tackling it. The Group will endeavour to bring the issue of climate change into the consciousness of the public fully, and to tie this awareness to an acceptance of individual responsibility.   •           Promote greater communication. The Group will aim to improve communication between policymakers, commentators and opinion formers to ensure a greater level of understanding between stakeholders and to provide the Government with more political 'head-room' for movement.   •           Encourage voluntary action. The Group will look to build Government recognition of the voluntary carbon market and to promote action beyond the regulated minima. Trailblazer individuals and organisations should receive greater support, to provide an example to others of the benefits of climate friendly practice.   •           Support the development of a global standard.  The Group will advocate the creation of a single global standard to denote responsible and effective carbon reduction and offset. This will simplify the recognition of those that are working to address climate change, and at the same time raise the profile of the issue.   •           Formulate policy initiatives. The Group expects to provide practical action through the design and piloting of innovative policy alternatives such as the '25/5 Challenge', 'Contraction and Convergence', 'Domestic Tradable Quotas' and 'CarbonNeutral'. In this way the Group will have a direct and tangible impact on climate change policy in the UK."   The APPCCG has become one of the largest and most active APPG's in Westminster, with around 180 MPs and Peers in membership and around 200 associate members drawn from business, academia and NGOs. It has completed one inquiry – "Is a cross party consensus on climate change possible or desirable?" with financial support from the Joseph Rowntree Reform, published in 2007. The APPCCG has a busy meetings schedule in Parliament and has been addressed by Al Gore and Mikhail Gorbachev as well as Ministers and European Union Commissioners.   The funding of the APPCCG comes entirely from its associate membership and one–off grant support.   =========================================================   MEDIA RELEASE World first as Bangladesh and UK Parliamentary Groups launch Climate Change Inquiry The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Climate Change & Environment of Bangladesh Parliament has teamed up with the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group of the UK Parliament to launch a Joint Inquiry into Climate Change, specifically asking the question "Climate Change Equity: is it a plan, an aspiration or a fashion statement?" The inquiry, first of its kind, has been launched by Chairs of the two Parliamentary Groups in Bangladesh and UK, Saber H. Chowdhury MP and Colin Challen MP, and seeks to gain a better insight on how two countries at opposite ends of the spectrum - one a LDC grappling with Adaptation and the other one of the richest in the developed world professing Mitigation – view challenge of Climate Change equity. Bangladesh, though least responsible for the problem, is a country most at threat from climate change; the UK is often regarded as one of – if the not the leader – in shaping climate change policy. As well as seeking to present the Inquiry Report at the Copenhagen event, the Report will  be sent to the respective governments and it is anticipated that it will also be discussed in Bangladesh and UK Parliaments. Evidence is called for by 12th October 2009 and submissions (preferably in not more than 3000 words) in electronic form only (PDF and/or HTML format) are sought from all who are concerned to achieve, and are working towards, an equitable and fully inclusive deal on climate change in Copenhagen. Saber H. Chowdhury MP said: "Climate change for Bangladesh is a development challenge as well as a human rights and justice issue at the same time. Whilst Bangladesh learns through local endeavour on adapting to climate change, we have so far not seen the level and type of development assistance necessary if tens of millions of people are to survive in our country. An equitable deal in Copenhagen, as being trumpeted by many world leaders, will only be possible if we are able to have clarity and consensus on the concept of equity in climate change negotiations and this would then hopefully pave the way for resolving the burden sharing riddle. This inquiry will bring this question into sharp focus." Colin Challen MP said: "The need for this inquiry is overwhelming. There are too many generalities bandied about in climate change negotiations. We want the result of this inquiry to be presented in Copenhagen. Why is it, for example, that many countries with very low carbon dioxide footprints, like Bangladesh, are therefore prevented from benefiting from mechanisms like the Clean Development Mechanism? Bangladesh has only seen two of these projects implemented in the entire history of the CDM, which for a country of 100 million plus people is clearly inequitable. Countries like Bangladesh did not cause climate change, but they also seem to be penalised for it. This inquiry will look at this and related issues."     Contacts: Bangladesh Convenor: Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP     All Party Parliamentary Group Office Room 431-432, Level 4, South West Block                              Bangladesh Parliament, Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka - 1207, Bangladesh Cell: (+880) 171152 3403) Fax: (+8802) 831 1967 Email: saberchowdhury@yahoo.com www.saberchowdhury.com   United Kingdom Convenor: Colin Challen MP                               House of Commons London SW1A 0AA United Kingdom Tel: (+0044) (0)207 219 8260 Fax: (+0044) (0)207 219 1982 Email: colinchallenmp@parliament.uk

__._,_.___

[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com

Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
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

__,_._,___

[ALOCHONA] Daily Star publishes secrets of Bangladesh Air Force !

Air Force aims higher:Seeks major purchases by 2021 Bangladesh Air Force seeks to urgently purchase one squadron of fighter trainer aircraft and simulators for fighter planes and helicopters, and set up overhauling plants for the existing F-7 fighter planes and MI series helicopters.It has prepared long-term plans for other major defence purchases by 2021 and beyond to modernise the force, discloses a report of the air force. It also seeks either 10 percent increase in budgetary allocation or special allocation for the next 10 years to achieve the target. The report, which describes the problems the air force is facing and suggests ways to overcome them, was placed before the parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry on July 14 for discussion.The Daily Star has obtained a copy of the report. The plans include purchasing of air defence radars and surface-to-air missile systems to protect important establishments of the force, replacement of A-5, FT-5 and F-7 fighter planes and induction of aircraft for airborne early warning, a system used for directing fighters to targets and counter attacks.The air force also seeks to turn Cox's Bazar into an advanced base to increase the force's operational capability, approval of an organogram of the Kurmitola base, increase in healthcare facility for the force members and proper steps regarding their salaries and allowances. The air force suggested that the purchases be completed in phases by 2021.After 2021, it wants to begin purchasing aircraft in phases to form three air defence squadrons. An air force squadron typically consists of three or four air units, with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, depending on the type of aircraft and the air force.In defence of the plans, the report says Bangladesh needs a five-layer strong air defence system to protect its airspace from enemy air attacks. The mission of Bangladesh Air Force is: "To prepare, operate and maintain an air force capable of projecting air power in order to uphold and promote our national interest", as drafted in light of the responsibilities and duties assigned by the government."The air force is proceeding with the dream to build a digital air force keeping consistency with the honourable prime minister's vision," the report says.It says the budgetary allocation for the air force has been decreased in the last two financial years. The allocation was increased to 20.90 percent of the total defence budget in FY 2005-06 from 18.56 percent in 2004-05. In FY 2006-07, the air force was given 20.97 percent of the total defence budget. But the allocation was decreased to 15.57 percent in FY 2007-08 and 15.11 percent in FY 2008-09.In the report, the air force has demanded either 25 percent of the total defence budget or a special allocation in the next 10 years. Most of the budgetary allocation is spent for maintenance, salaries and allowances, supplies and services and instalments of previous purchases. Only 4-6 percent of it is spent for major purchases, the report says.In defence of purchasing new equipment, the report says it is facing tremendous difficulties in playing due role with the aged aircraft. The force has over 160 planes--fighter, transport and training aircraft--and helicopters, of which 70 percent are aged over 20 years and 18 percent inducted in the last 10 years, says the report.It says the air force has planned to set up overhauling plants for the existing F-7 fighter planes and MI helicopters. If two plants are set up in the country, two to three F-7 aircraft and three to four MI choppers could be overhauled each year and will not require sending abroad. The air force has so far overhauled Bell helicopters 65 times and PT-6 planes 76 times at its own maintenance unit. In the last two years, five fighter aircraft were overhauled in the country with the help of foreign consultants, the report says. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news....php?nid=100567

__._,_.___

[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com

Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
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

__,_._,___

[ALOCHONA] Govt decision on Tipaimukh must be based on public opinion

Govt decision on Tipaimukh must be based on public opinion     Former TIB chairman Muzaffer Ahmed has said India's proposed Tipaimukh Dam project is a public issue, not a political one, and the government must make its decision on the matter taking account of public opinion. "A decision should be made based on the opinions of the people and experts of Bangladesh and India. It will not be right to make any decision without the people," Muzaffer said on Saturday, inaugurating a long march programme from Dhaka to Sylhet. "We will stand beside the government as long as it works for people's well-being. It is a public issue, not any political issue," he said. He said environmental groups first began protesting against the controversial dam project in 2003 under the leadership of AMA Muhith, who is now finance minister. The 'Tipaimukh Dam Resistance Committee' and Sylhet Bibhag Unnayan Parishad set out on the long march from Shaheed Minar in the capital at around 11am. The march will end on Aug 10 at Jakiganj in Sylhet. Among others, committee president Abed Raja, Prof Syed Abul Maksud and Jukta Front chairman MA Latif Majumder also spoke. India's contentious dam project is planned to cross the Barak River, which enters into Bangladesh as the Surma and Kushiara rivers. The two rivers are lifeline for hundreds of water bodies in the greater Sylhet region of Bangladesh. A parliamentary standing committee went to India on July 29 to meet with Indian foreign and energy ministers and visit the dam site, but failed to land at the site due to bad weather. Delegation head Abdur Razzak MP said on return from India that the ministers had assured them that they would not implement any project to harm Bangladesh. Delegations members said India is yet to start any construction at Tipaimukh. The delegation's main aim, Razzak told bdnews24.com before leaving for India, was to obtain India's firm word that the dam would not be used for irrigation purposes that could divert precious water resources from Bangladesh. India had already said on a number of occasions the dam would not withhold water, but environmentalists and the people of Bangladesh, as well as Manipur state, remain concerned over the impact of the projected dam in vulnerable downstream areas. http://www.thebangladeshtoday.com/leading%20news.htm

__._,_.___

[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com

Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
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

__,_._,___

Gentlemen!

Is this the best we can do? Call each other names. I am sure both of you are mature enough to be above that.

Let's try to be reasonable for a change. There has been an allegation about misuse of government funds (sort of!). If we know something about it. Let's share that with the forum. Otherwise, let it pass. But calling each other Razakar, without any proof and making allegations without proof all that is so very childish and silly.

Grow up!!

Sincerely,
Reza

---

To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
From: shossain456@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 11:50:32 -0700
Subject: Re: [ALOCHONA] Professor Mamtazuddin Samachar

 

Dear J.A.Chowdhury,

 

I am not a Razakar. You are a Razakar as evident from your posting.

Yes, it is time to change. Don't you see what Awamis are doing. They are renting

government Apartment for private gain. If the information I have provided are incorrect, why don't you go and ask him or you can ask anybody in New York.

 

SH

Toronto

---

From: J.A. Chowdhury <Chwdhury@hotmail.com>
To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2009 9:45:28 AM
Subject: RE: [ALOCHONA] Professor Mamtazuddin Samachar

 

 Compleately Lie. Sajjat we know u as a Rajakar. Do you have any evidence in support of ur posting?
 ar koto BNP Jaamati der chamca-giri korba? It is time to CHANGE, DIN BODOLER TIME.Say Jai Bangla.
 
 J.A.Chowdhury

---

To: alochona@yahoogroup s.com
From: shossain456@ yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:21:29 -0700
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Professor Mamtazuddin Samachar

The BAL Government recently appointed Professor (Nattakar) Momtazuddin Ahmed, a U.S. immigrant to the Bangladesh Mission in New York as Cultual Attache.

He has recently arrived in New York from Dhaka with his spouse. The Mission rented a three-bed room apartment for him in Manhattan District as the cost of $7000 per month.

What this Professor did is something very strange. He rented out one room to another Bangladeshi at $2000 per month. Is this not corruption? I read some of pieces published in "Janakatha" where he attacked "Begum Zia" using vulgar language. He also wrote few pieces on corruption of the Four-Party Alliance.

 

The Mission appointed one Mr Kaosar Mamin as his staff. Mr Mamin has a special duty to perform. He carries Professor Momtazuddin' s 'Jainamaz' wherever His Excellency goes so that he can perform "Namaz".

These are recent additions to "Din Bodol Hoichey"

 

SH

Toronto

---

---

check out the rest of the Windows Live™. More than mail–Windows Live™ goes way beyond your inbox. More than messages

__._,_.___

[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com

Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
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

__,_._,___

RE: [ALOCHONA] Govt recalling sacked military officers

Dr. Omar:

what do you recommend? What is a "civilized manner" in your estimation? Assasinations, supercessions, indiscipline, talking out of turn & know it all, political factionalism seem to be the milieu in which the force has been nurtured. So please instead of snide cynical comments which cover your very distinct bias please offer a solution which no doubt you offer your patients daily.
Robin

-----Original Message-----
From: maqsud omaba
Sent: Aug 8, 2009 2:08 AM
To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [ALOCHONA] Govt recalling sacked military officers

 

who will be he officers ...who will be reinstated???

Will it be done in a civilized manner...or army will be just polluted...with new wave of hatred, revenge and
favouritism???

Time will tell.

Best wishes.

dr. maqsud omar

---

To: dhakamails@yahoogroups.com
From: bd_mailer@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 7 Aug 2009 04:11:45 -0700
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Govt recalling sacked military officers

Govt recalling sacked military officers Dhaka, Aug 6 (bdnews24.com)—The Awami League government has started recalling armed forces officers who it says were sacked by the previous BNP-led government on political considerations.Defence committee chairman Idris Ali MP told bdnews24.com on Thursday that a list of "victimised" officers was sent to prime minister Sheikh Hasina last month who ordered their reinstatement "after thorough investigation". "The ministry officials have informed us that the government has already started reinstating the officials sacked by the previous BNP government for political reasons," Ali said after chairing a meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on the defence ministry.Ali did not mention how many officials of the armed forces were found to have been sacked for such reason or the number to be recalled, but it was his standing committee that had recommended reinstating the officials in a meeting on July 14.He said the government would also promote the officials who were deprived of advancement by the BNP government that was in power from 2001-2006. Another committee member, Monzur Quader Quraishi, told bdnews24.com, "The BNP government dismissed army officers whose relatives were involved in opposition politics"."The government will also award them overdue promotions," said Quraishi.Neither the defence ministry nor headquarters of the armed forces have disclosed any information relating to sacking of its officers on political grounds. Pat media reports, however, have suggested that at least 14 officers of the armed forces, equivalent to the rank of major general, were sacked between October 2001, when BNP government took office, up to 2003.

__._,_.___

[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com

Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
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

__,_._,___

[ALOCHONA] (unknown)

July 30, 2009 Religion, Secularism Working in Tandem in Bangladesh Secular governance not reducing importance citizens place on religion   by Nicole Naurath   WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Despite the return to power of Bangladesh's Awami League -- the political party that won in December 2008 on a platform of secularism, reform, and a suppression of radical Islamist groups -- religiosity is by no means waning in the world's seventh most populous country. A Gallup Poll of Bangladesh conducted this year finds practically all Bangladeshis saying that religion is an important part of their daily lives (100%) -- relatively unchanged from the three previous Gallup Polls of Bangladesh.         Religion has played a prominent role in Bangladesh's political history. After gaining independence from Pakistan in 1971, the Awami League founded Bangladesh under the guiding principle of secularism. However, power shifts between the Muslim Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the military throughout the 1980s and 1990s resulted in Islam being added to the constitution and declared the official state religion. Though still officially on the books today, the current government defines the country as "secular with a majority Muslim population," and not officially as a Muslim state.   An interviewer pilots a Gallup survey in rural Bangladesh, outside of Dhaka, on Saturday, April 4th, 2009. (Gallup/Nicole Naurath)                                     It seems as though the general population is further defining the roles of politics and religion in their country by drawing a distinct line between the two. Support for the secular Awami League, according to Time magazine, is as high as it was when they won an overwhelming victory in the pivotal 1970 election that led to the war of independence from Pakistan. At the same time, religiosity remains strong in this country of nearly 90% Muslims: More people claim to have attended a religious service in 2009 than in years past, and confidence in religious organizations has increased over the years.       Simultaneous strong support of the secular Awami League and the near unanimous importance of religion in daily life suggests that while religion is vital in Bangladeshis' daily lives, they are appear comfortable with its lack of influence in government.   Confidence in the current government is strong: 87% of Bangladeshis approve of the job performance of the overall leadership of the country and 88% approve specifically of the job performance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. If Hasina and the Awami League can fulfill campaign promises and maintain order in what has often been a tumultuous state, there is no reason to believe that support for the ruling party will wane in the near term.   For complete data sets or custom research from the more than 150 countries Gallup continually surveys, please contact worldpollpartners@gallup.com or call 202.715.3030.   Survey Methods Results are based on face-to-face interviews with at least 1,000 adults, aged 15 and older, conducted in May 2006, May 2007, June 2008, and May 2009 in Bangladesh. For results based on the total sample of national adults, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of sampling error ranged from a low of ±3.2 percentage points in May 2006 to a high of ±3.42 percentage points in May 2009. The margin of error reflects the influence of data weighting. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls. http://www.muslimwestfacts.com/mwf/121955/Religion-Secularism-Working-Tandem-Bangladesh.aspx

__._,_.___

[Disclaimer: ALOCHONA Management is not liable for information contained in this message. The author takes full responsibility.]
To unsubscribe/subscribe, send request to alochona-owner@egroups.com

Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
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

__,_._,___