April 18, 2007

The latest happenings in Bangladesh

Bangladesh got some media attention recently because of controversies surrounding alleged exile deal of Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, chief of the main political parties with the people supported, military backed interim government (cartoon courtesy Shada Kalo). Some are comparing the issue with the exile of Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. A lot of contradictory things are happening to authenticate/negate the rumors. Drishtipat Blog asks who is in charge as we see these events unfold. The interim government has made its position clear against the dynasty rules in a democratic outset.

The International media caught hold of the issue and is questioning the intent of the military backed government accusing them to delay democracy in the country. The economist says:

Despite the interim administration’s claims that its objectives are honorable, the draconian measures it has taken in the name of improving stability could, like those of most such regimes, have just the opposite effect.

The army chief also spoke too many words to make it obvious. Drishtipat recalls that declarations of past military regimes in the country to restore democracy is lot similar to the recent state of affairs.

Mash points that military dictatorship can be no pathway to democracy:

A military takeover, far from "fixing" a democracy, corrupts it further. It does so by setting a precedent that the rule of law can be subverted in service of the "national interest". This license to ignore the rule of law is the essential ingredient of any form of government corruption. When the military decides to "fix" things, it corrupts the system further. It sets a precedent that laws can and should be ignored when there is a "historical necessity". That is an invitation, not only to corruption, but to autocratic and dictatorial rule.

The New York Times says:

Both former Bangladeshi prime ministers have much to answer for, including tolerance for corruption and a bitter personal rivalry that kept the country in permanent turmoil. But the answering should be done to Bangladesh’s voters and, if called for, to an independent civilian judiciary — not to an unaccountable military dictatorship. And President Bush, if he truly cares about democracy in the Islamic world, needs to say so.

However the US Government is very happy with the performance of the interim government and the state of emergency was necessary. It is not to be forgotten that the influence of the US Ambassador in Bangladesh was very crucial in the changing events last January. Just as they are very happy with the performance of Pakistani dictator Parvez Musharrof.

Well if you would ask who is in control of Bangladesh I would say the Global imperialism. It remains to be seen whether Bangladesh remains sovereign or a subsidiary to this.

Update: The Government issues warnings against Hasina's return:

In a statement, the home ministry blamed the former prime minister for issuing "inflammatory statements" against the government and security agencies to political gatherings and the media abroad. Hasina's return might create further confusion and hatred among people. Sheikh Hasina's return is feared to threaten public security and economic life. The government alerted airports, immigration and airlines to the warning against Hasina's comeback.

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