MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2013
Surprising, provocative
Some top ex-army officials, citizens react to Khaleda's speech
WASIM BIN HABIB
Expressing surprise over BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's comment on the army's probable role in tackling political unrest in the country, some former senior army officials and eminent citizens yesterday said the comment was "tantamount to provocation."
Talking to The Daily Star, they said the opposition leader should not have made such "unwarranted remarks" in the prevailing political situation.
Addressing a roadside rally in Bogra yesterday, Khaleda said the army cannot be an observer when the country plunges into chaos. "The army has responsibilities. It cannot act as a silent spectator. It cannot only observe the situation because it is also a part of the country."
Maj Gen (retd) Manzur Rashid Khan thought the speech of the BNP chief was rather provocative. "Such comment is not proper under the prevailing political situation."
Security analyst Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain said though it was a political statement, it was not a wise one.
"As a former army officer, I don't think it is an acceptable statement," he said adding, the statement is tantamount to provocation and not acceptable to the armed forces of a democratic country as well.
Sakhawat, also a former election commissioner, said it is the duty of all governments to keep the armed forces out of politics, but it is regrettable that all the successive governments have tried to involve the force in politics and the tendency was still on.
This practice tarnishes the very image of the armed forces. The statement from a leader of such a high level is not acceptable at all, he observed.
M Hafizuddin Khan, former adviser to a caretaker government, said it is a provocative speech inviting the armed forces to interfere in politics and the opposition leader should not have made such a comment.
Making such a comment is indecent and it is not acceptable from a responsible person like her, he added.
Former army chief and member of Awami League Advisory Council Maj Gen (retd) KM Safiullah Bir Uttam said the opposition leader should not have made such remarks.
Another ex-army chief Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said, "Our army is a great army. They fought the Liberation War, played a significant role in building the country after its independence, and has been playing a pivotal role in peace keeping missions around the world."
The army is well aware of its duties and responsibilities, noted Mahbub, also a senior BNP leader.
Seeking anonymity, a senior army officer said he was surprised to hear such a remark from Khaleda Zia who was the prime minister of the country for twice.
"It's an irresponsible remark. I just cannot imagine she could make such a comment."
He said, "All the governments played game with the army. They used the army in their own interest and discarded the force whenever their purpose had been served."
Political scientist Prof Diliara Chowdhury said the opposition leader might have made the comment out of anxiety about any possible interference by the army in politics.
http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/surprising-provocative/
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সেনাবাহিনী সময়মতো কাজ করবে: খালেদা
নিজস্ব প্রতিবেদক, বগুড়া থেকে | তারিখ: ২৪-০৩-২০১৩
Army can't sit idle
Khaleda tells Bogra rally it 'would play role in due time', threatens to paralyse country
RASHIDUL HASAN, FROM BOGRA
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