Foreign interference in internal affairs
A. M. K. Chowdhury
President of the Workers' Party of Bangladesh, Rashed Khan Menon, M.P., a partner of the grand alliance government of Sheikh Hasina, said that it is a shame for the nation that the US government and its officials are poking their nose in the internal matter of the country. US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake came to Bangladesh to discuss the issue of Prof. Yunus's removal from Grameen Bank. He said this should be stopped. They would not discuss anything about the removal. Menon further said, "We would not allow such interference in our internal matter". Menon said this while taking part in the thanks giving motion on the President's speech recently. (March 21, 2011)
When Robert Blake insisted on a compromise formula on Yunus issue Awami League joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif said foreign interference is not acceptable in the matter. "No foreign interference in Mohammad Yunus issue, including that of the US, is acceptable. Yunus has tainted the image of the country and its people by seeking money from foreign sources. The nation doesn't want the Bangladesh image he created abroad. "He further said Yunus had failed to seek Bangladesh Bank's approval when he was reappointed Managing Director of Grameen Bank in 1999.
UK asked clarification
It may be mentioned here that during army-backed undemocratic caretaker government the Home Ministry put restriction on Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's return to the country from the United States on April 23, 2007 in apprehension of a risk to country's law and order stability, public security and economic life, the British High Commission in Dhaka sought clarification from Bangladesh authorities for it. Bangladesh may be small but it is an independent and sovereign country. We failed to understand how could the BHC demand clarification from Bangladesh authorities in respect of their internal affairs. How could the BHC ask for such clarification which is a clear interference in the governance of an independent and sovereign country of 15 crore people.
One Payam Akhavan a Canadian lawyer who witnessed the trial proceedings of AL President Sheikh Hasina at the special court on January 30, 2008 questioned the neutrality of our judiciary by expressing 'doubt' about getting justice while the ease had been under sub judice. He urged the government to release Sheikh Hasina immediately by 'throwing out' the Azam J. Chowdhury extortion case and allow justice to prevail over political expedience. He criticized our judicial system very much.
Azam J. Chowdhury, Managing Director of East Coast Trading Pvt. Ltd. filed the case with Gulshan P.S. against Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana and her cousin Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim. J. Chowhdury allaged that Hasina and Selim forced him to pay Taka 2.99 crore as bribe in return for allowing him to build a power plant in suburban Narayanganj while AL had been in power in 1996-2001.
Foreigners' mediation
We seek foreigners' mediation to settle any issue. We still remember that we invited Ninian Stephens to settle political issue in 1994. He held a series of meetings with political leaders both in ruling and opposition parties to democratize the country like Bangladesh which came into being at the cost of 3 million martyrs.
Attorney General Mahbube Alam said that they had expected Sheikh Hasina and Shantu Larma to win the Nobel Peace Prize for signing the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord in 1997. His comments proves that Shantu Larma is equal to Sheikh Hasina who is the second time Prime Minister of Bangladesh and daughter of nation's architect Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the President of Bangladesh. Moreover, Sheikh Hasina has so far obtained 12 doctorates from different universities both at home and abroad besides Indira Gandhi Peace Award, Mother Teresa Prize, M. K. Gandhi Award and Global Diversity Award etc. Shantu cannot be equal to Sheikh Hasina.
Indian connection
Leading businessman Abdul Awal Mintoo said, funding of the Norwegian TV report, which created Yunus issue, was financed by an Indian businessman for the reason best known to India who is our neighbour. It started with the allegation that Dr. Yunus has siphoned off large chunk of development fund from the Norwegian government grant. But Norwegian government after investigation cleared the matter that there was no irregularities in it.
In a meeting of the businessmen at the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) on February 27, 2010 in presence of visiting Northeast Indian delegation led by ministers of Assam and Tripura when Chittagong businessmen asked the Indian Officials to ease the visa formalities, Assistant High Commissioner of India made an 'audacious comment' that the way the speakers spoke in the meeting to that of Sheikh Mujib. "Every one should not shout like Bangabandhu". Neither Rashed Khan Menon nor any M.P. stood point of order for such audacious remarks made by the Assistant High Commissioner of India. No protest was lodged officially.
Brand Adams, Asia Director of US-based Human Rights Watch group in Dhaka, urged the government to ensure an independent investigation into the BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) mutiny of February 25-26, 2009 which carried out a massacre of 57 army officers. The mutiny case should be tried in the country's regular courts or by special tribunal with an assurance or protecting all rights of the accused and not in any military court.
We seek foreigners' help to settle any dispute, issue and finalise any program. We consider it as a credit to explain our activities to them.
Dr. Yunus has brought great honour for Bangladesh though AL leaders do not like it. People want a respectable solution to Yunus issue.
Dr. Yunus filed writ petition with the High Court challenging the legality of Bangladesh Bank order to remove him from Grameen Bank. The High Court dismissed the petition. Dr. Yunus appealed against the verdict to the Appellate Division, which adjourned the hearing for two weeks. There will be end of Yunus issue after judgement.
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