& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

To the Editor

Letters will only be considered if they carry the writer's full name, address and telephone number (if any). The identity of the writers will be protected. Letters must be limited to 300 words. All letters will be subject to editing.
Aserious charge
I expected that some of your vigilant letter-writers from within the country and abroad, especially those belonging to the 'Well-done-Hasina' school of thought, would take notice of the letter written by Mr James P. Sheff, an Immigration Attorney from Pennsylvania, USA ("INS registration may help Bangladesh in USA in the long run", January 17) and start a serious debate on the gravity of the charge brought against some of our Embassy staff in the USA. But it looks like they are so convinced about Shaikh Hasina's single handed contribution to the decision by INS that they ignore or decide to overlook the implication of the charge brought by the Attorney.
Unless a serious enquiry is instituted and the alleged corrupt practice is totally stopped, the danger of some real Al-Qaeda men (an Indian, a Pakistani or an Afghan) holding a Bangladeshi passport remain a possibility. So it is to the interest of the Bangladeshi diaspora to demand an immediate inquiry into the matter.
AZMAbdulAli, Uttara, Dhaka
"Whither"
In his letter (January 30) Dr. Maudood Elahi asserted that the word 'whither' is not at all obsolete. He seems to be concerned about the standard of English written by Bangladeshis.
I would suggest that importance should be given on correct construction of sentences. One should distinguish between assertive and interrogative sentences. The last sentence in his letter (I wonder why did Mr. Kim miss the main theme...?) does not seem to be an interrogative sentence, and it should have been properly constructed.
Shamim Rahman
North Fuller Road, Dhaka
"Well done Sheikh Hasina"
This is my response to the letter of Ms. Nabila Idris (January 31). I agree with Ms. Nabila that politics and the politicians have taken a dark side in our country's democracy but we cannot just blame the politicians as we choose them ourselves. It is our responsibility to elect people who can truly protect our identity and reputation, which seems to have failed this time. If Ms Nabila say Jamaat has democratically all the rights to form the government I agree with her, as it has been our decision. But I will say it has been our wrong decision. This puts a theocratic outlook to our secular democracy. I am not meaning that Jamaat has no right to be a part of the government but not as an Islamic party as Bangladesh consists of many religions and traditions.
As Ms Nabila showstrong deplorableness towards the actions of Sheikh Hasina, I will ask her what does she think about the rallies, seminars, which were held by the Islamic groups and were on all possible international broadcasting channels. Even when the situation was too sensitive to handle a slogan was also very popular known as 'Amra Hobo Taliban”. Doesn't it put fire to the cracker?
Before we blame each other for the faults we should first come out of the dense fog .which gives us a hazy view towards the truth. I will say again that blaming each other is worthless and we should indulge ourselves to look forward to a better tomorrow.
Khalid Rahman, Dhaka
"Awashed activist"
I was delighted to read Naeem Mohaimen's "Opinion" of January 31. A washed activist like me concur with his views backed by reference to facts which writers like Satyajit should take note of and get better informed. Let me also suggest to Satyajit to read what Joseph Stieglitz had to say on globalisation of economy in his book "Globalisation and its Discont". This is what he had to say in the preface to the book. "I have written this book because while I was at the World Bank, I saw firsthand the devastating effect that globalisation can have on developing countries, and especially the poor within those
countries".
He came to believe that globalisation may have the potential to enrich everyone but the way it was managed, the way in which policies have been imposed upon developing countries without any regard whatsoever to the impact, particularly on the poor, leaves much to be desired. That is the fact and not a theory.
Satyajit should note how mercilessly the West has pushed the poor countries to eliminate trade barriers but managed to keep their own barriers against poor countries on one pretext or the other. Free market is not truly free; open market is also not so open. The so-called invisible hand that makes markets work perfectly are prone to nurture imperfect markets where the "giants" swallow up the "pygmies" in the name of globalisation; profligacy reigns over social responsibility, let alone moral rectitude. The litany of duality remains long and has been on fora long time.
If making profit is accepted as the supreme achievement of man then how can you expect the "unwashed, underprivileged, and the loony" will keep quiet and remain in blissful contentment with their lot. And mind you, the legacy of inequity, the perfidy of high rhetoric and low delivery as practised by the West, mainly the US, shall not fool all the people all the time, shall not prevail
become a neighbour if it is geographically joined to another country. For instance, Dhaka to Singapore or Bangkok is of less distance and time than, for instance, New York to San Francisco is even though they are in the same country.
However, I would like to remind the policy makers that each country has its sensitivities. Bangladesh should remember that countries like Thailand, which are predominantly Buddhist, will have an interest in human rights of Chakmas and other groups. Countries like China and Thailand seems to have only begun to take note of our country. And the time is ripe to solve our internal human rights issue.
Employing a Bangladeshi Buddhist ambassador to Thailand will be a great way to strengthen our relation with that country.
Prodipto Ghosh, Singapore
Cricket, politics and the ruling party
"An uncompetitive national team beset by political problems. The country's cricket chief was thrown in jail following a disagreement with the government", statement made tn The Australian (30/01 /'03 p18) on our cricket and the world cup in South Africa. I don't know whether this observation made after any subtle visit of anti-government or anti-state elements, as always
government is using extra manpower to finish the work as soon as possible. I wonder why! We have never seen such commitment and speed from our government in any construction project before.
It is also reported that they are building a mausoleum on the grave of President Ziaur Rahman, a mosque and a conference hall inside the nearby Chandrima Udyan. The whole project is costing about Tk 3 crore. Who is paying for it?
If I am not mistaken, the only owner of the Sangsad Bhaban and all the land surrounding it, is the "people" of Bangladesh. Yet this valuable public property is being used as certain people's personal property. And on that note, despite so much protest against this project from everyone, why are both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker so silent about it? Surely they can refuse to live in a house that isn't approved by the people. Their silence tells a lot about who these people are and how much they care for Bangladesh and its people.
It is a tragedy that people who are willing to destroy a national heritage and waste a lot of money for their personal indulgence, are supposed to be our leaders and representatives!
Azad Miah
Oldham, U.K
* * *
I don't think Mr Junaid is a regular reader of The Daily Star, a few months back they had covered a very informative and interesting write-up on the budget allocation for the eradication of mosquitoes. The gist was, while the Mayor kept telling us he didn't have enough budget, the Star made an investigation which revealed that at least half the budget remained unutilised.
Supporting a certain political party or a person is of no use until we admit their flaws that way we can do both the party and the country a big favour.
Mrs. S Chowdhury, Dhaka
"Noto war"
Mr. Satyajit, presented a very myopic opinion on the impending attack on Iraq by a vast, overwhelming military alliance of super powers on a country, that is already savagely ravaged and weakened by over ten years of sanctions. He must not be reading anything but the Bush and Blair media spin.
A leaked UN report on what they assess will be the human and material cost, was published by the Guardian on January 29. It says that half a million Iraqis would require medical treatment for direct or indirect injuries. 3.03 million people will require therapeutic feeding. About 900,000 refugees alone will go to Iran, another 2 million dis-
and give uninterrupted bliss to the privileged few at the cost of vast majority. You may have contempt for the poor but do not insult them by accusing them of ignorance nor dismiss their right to protest.
Hussain, Dhaka
Censorship in play
What I find very strange is that for the last three days there has been a block on accessing the Iraqi News Agency web site http://www.uruklink.net/iraqnews/ei ndex.htm, no doubt should war come a total block out of Iraq news will be in force.
Censorship of this war will prove its self on the web
Paul Reed,
Manchester, UK
Positive foreign policy
It is a good idea for Bangladesh to expand ties with other East Asian countries. Trade with China, Thailand and other countries will help reduce dependency on India, and that itself can address the trade imbalance that is often complained about. For too long, India has assumed that they can take for granted an annual profit of $1 billion from us.
In the day of the Internet, and aeroplane, a country doesn't
claimed by the government. Our efficient (!) intelligence authority must act now; how could this secret (!) sneak out?
The government already has stuck several feathers on the country's crown including arresting people and opposition leaders without warrant or court order, ignoring court order, heart attack in custody, indemnity ordinance and inclusion on the list of terror-risk country. However, the government is reluctant to accept the last one, as it's too much for a country in a year! If the government keeps up this attitude, heavier feathers are waiting ahead.
This government seems very keen to improve the plummeting image of the country in overseas. It should inform the nation about the 'image' achievement after ostracising political opponents, teachers, journalist and reporters without any formidable reason.
Tarik Zaman
The University of Sydney Orange, Australia
"Scars on Kahn's dream"
Against all logic and common sense, the government has resumed the construction of two residential units for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the Sangsad Bhaban area. What's more, the
I am really stunned at the government's indifferent attitude towards public opinion regarding building the Speaker and Deputy Speaker's residence in the JS complex. Why is the government hell bent upon destroying this complex? Isn't there any other place where the residence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker could be built? Has the government forgotten that they are building these houses with public money and the government must pay heed to people's opinion.
Alma
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Wanted: A pied piper for Dhaka city Thanks to Mr. Haji Mohammad Isam and Mr Amer Junaid for thinking about the issue. I would specially like to thank Mr. Amer Junaid for admitting (though indirectly) that the Mayor has not been able to take any action to solve some of the issues mentioned in my earlier letter.
Who else would know better than myself, that reality is harsher, when you have voted for the ruling party and live to see that they have done so very little to unburden the responsibilities on their shoulders. Isn't it so easy to blame it on the previous government when they have not been able to accomplish a certain task that falls under their job description!
placed within Iraq. 3.6 million will require emergency shelter.
The new, massive and overwhelming attack planned by the US, is expected to kill 2000 to 50,000 in Baghdad and up to 30,000 more in the northern and southern fronts. Another 33,000 more would be killed if biological and chemical weapons are used.
Either Mr Satyajit is completely ill informed or is deliberately staying oblivious to these holocaust-like counts. He only seems to be worried about the dollar cost to the US and the world economy. He casually, with callous apathy, sideswipe the terrible human cost. Forget Saddam and his cronies. They're but an insignificant number and I personally don't care for him and them. I'd like to see him go, but not at these staggering and unacceptable human costof civilians.
He then goes on to deride The Daily Starter its anti-war stance and propound his strident support for this massacre on Iraq. I think it is way past time for him to read the other side of the issue, and not succumb to wilful political propaganda of vested interests whose hidden agenda of 'oil interests' is starkly opaque. Time for him to become a pacifist like me and many others, including hundreds and thousands of Americans and British people, whose governments are hell bent on this warpath.
Khan Kabir, USA
"Dossier on America"
Mr. Billy I Ahmed's article "Dossier on America" (January 29) is quite revealing. The Dossier must be a very exhaustive one running into hundreds of pages. Mr. Ahmed has worked hard to make a good gist of it. He deserves credit.
I am a little confused at one figure of ODA. So far I remember, it was decided in the UN in early '80s that the 25 rich countries would give 0.8 percent of their GNP annually as ODA (Official Development Assistance) to the less developed countries. But Mr. Ahmed mentions, "US gives 0.2 percent of GNP for foreign aid, the lowest amongst all donor countries. Internationally agreed upon target is 0.7 percent." The world renowned economist, Dr. Jefferey Sachs told the other day, in his exclusive interview with The Daily Star, "Once the rich gave 0.8 percent of their GNP in assistance which totalled $175 billion. Now, they give only $15 billion."
Which figure is correct- 0.7 or 0.8 percent?
A.F.G. Mohiuddin
Dhaka
The ruling party
1) Both Awami League and BNP used to torture the opposition when in power.
2) For any failure they used to blame the previous government.
4) Both of them failed to combat the terrorism and criminal activities.
5) Both of them failed to improve the image of our country at home and abroad.
6) Both of them failed to keep the price of daily commodities within the reach of the general people.
7) Both of the used to take important decision ignoring publicopinion.
8) Both of them became unpopular while in power.
10) Both of them cannot tolerate freedom of speech.
Ahmed Habib Manzur Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
Price hike and...
I heard the news of fare hike of bus and eviction of the so-called bus counters in the city. While it is justified to increase bus fare (or is it 16% hike while fuel price hike is 14%?) if you narrow down the scope there is no justification of eviction of the bus counter's.
Even the first one is unjustified on the basis of unjustified price hike of fuel. The affect of this fare hike would be certainly on the middle and lower income group. These groups are already feeling the heat of the price hike of daily commodities. And now the bus fare goes up. What's next?
ShakilAkther
Dept. ofURP, BUET * * *
One Government goes. Another one comes, each time a new government comes promising the voters the world. But as soon as they cling to power all they are interested in is serving self-interest. They come and go on increasing the image (a non-stop claim.) of the country abroad and also go on preaching the increase of GDP in paper from 5 to 8 percent every time. Increase of GDP is possible by increasing the price of most essential items for which livelihood of every people specially the poor who lives on hand to mouth become unbearable. Once the price of fuel could be increased by the government, the price of rice, pulse, fish, meat, vegetables and even water goes up by leaps and bounds.
On the one hand, the government propagates to keep the price of daily commodity stable. And on the other hand, it goes on increasing the price of oil, fuel, electricity and water.
Nur Hossain
Bangshal, Dhaka * * *
The government goes on increasing the price of basic commodity, oil, gas, bus fare and it is the general people who suffer the most. The people's salary hasn't raised then how are they to cope up with this price hike?
Amanul
Dhaka