Letters for publication in these columns should be addressed to the Editor and legibly written or typed with double space. For reasons of space, short letters are_ preferred, and all are subject to editing and cuts. Pseudonyms are accepted. However, all communications must bear the writer's real name, signature and address.-

Save the democracy

Sir. In the opening lines of his article in The Dally Star (Monday 26th Sept). Dr Q K Ahmed had the following quotation from Shakespeare’s Julius Caeser: "....The Fault dear Brutus, is not in our stars.... but in ourselves, that we are underlings."' Dr Ahmed goes on further to say. the fault dear reader is not in our stars, but in ourselves that we are In a mess. I tend to recall this as the main news Item of DS Staff Correspondent (November 10) says "Violence marks opposition's sitjin programme" while a heading in column 5 says. "Opposition calls day-long hartals on November 12 and 13."

The two parties, the BNP and the Awaml League are now on a collision course. Great restraint, courage and leadership are now needed from both Madarq Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. Greater responsibility lies on the government to defuse the present crisis. Not withstanding the provisions of the constitution, the only solution to resolve the national crisis seems the ushering in of a caretaker government. BNP believes in democracy, so there should not be hesitancy to face the electorate under a neutral caretaker government.

Democracy as it functions in London and Washington is not the same as it is practised in Dhaka. Our nascent democracy needs careful nurturing for many years to come.

Shahabuddtn Mahtab

31. Siddheswari Road. Dhaka

What is the solution?

Sir. Sheikh Hasina threatens at public meeting — "Accept demand or MPs will resign en masse" while "JP MPs asked to submit resignation to party chief (The Daily Star 2-11-94). But both the Government and Opposition MPs were elected to run the Parliament and for doing so they have been enjoying allowances, benefits and facilities all. of course at the cost of people's money, isn't it?

Shall they return back the facilities they have enjoyed so long before their resignation for a cause trifle to the interest of general public?

Well, BNP Government may not favour the proposition of a caretaker government for holding general election. Only one and half years are remaining before next general election. If the opposition parties have so much popularity and the caretaker government issue is such a popular demand. let the opposition parties come to power in next general election and insert the Caretaker government Issue irv the constitution for Institutionalising election under caretaker government.

One or two terms pf election under caretaker government is not a solution of election problems in our country. If once election under caretaker gov ernment is held it may be seen that the opposition party/ parties Pf the government elected under caretaker government again creating a new demand for say. election under

a government elected temporarily for holding general election.

So. what is the solution, really?

Md Nur Hossain

151. Barigshal Road. Dhaka

The meetings of hope!

Sir, We. the entire Rohingya Muslims of Arakan, welcomed the meetings between the SLORC, the ruling military junta, and Ayng San Suu Kyi. the charismatic leader of Burma, with smiles and tears of happiness- Revota Dhamma. a Buddhist monk from England, who is the main negotiator between the SLORC and Suu Kyi. to settle the stalemate, is Invited again by the SLORC to visit Burma, this month. It Is presumable' that there is some progress in their meetings for the national reconciliation. It is also reported that US assistant under-secretary was also visiting Burma mainly for the release of Suu Kyi. And also UN Human Rights Commissioner Yazo Yakuta was visiting Burma in connection with the release of Suu Kyi anti restoration of human rights and democracy In Burma. Hoping for the visit of ex-President Carter of USA to occur soon, we cart regard November as the month of good hope.

Intermediaries In Burma are playing an important role in forging peace agreements between the ruling military and insurgent groups. A total of 12 rebel groups had signed peace agreements with the SLORC.

As for Rohingya rebel groups there are no negotiators or peace brokers between them and the SLORC. The SLORC regards then) as alien rebel groups and declared that it would only talk with the rebel groups of 135 indigenous races in which Rohingyas are

not included, though Rohingya was declared as an indigenous-ethnic community of Burma and their language programme was regularly relayed from the Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS) by the democratic government of Burma.

Already much water has flowed down- the majestic

-. Irrawaddy river. It Is high time for the SLORC to restore the indigenous status of the ethnic Rohingyas of Arakan and re-•solve all their problems thrqugh negotiated ' settlements. The SLORC should not Ignore Rohingyas to the peace talks in the interest of peace and reality.

JUant

Maungdaw. Burma

Fortress Europe

Sir, This refers to the exclusive interview with Frans A Engering. DG of Foreign Economic Relations of the'Netherlands. published in The Daily Star on November 6. Your question of "Fortress Europe" really embarrassed Mr. Engering as it was partially true. You may be aware, agricultural commodities of developing countries like Bangladesh have been facing high lev! while exported to the EEC market. At present. 547 USD/MT of lev! is being imposed on Bangladesh rice which makes it totally in-competltive.

Abdullah Al Mamun Mirpur. Dhaka.

NOTICE

We deeply regutt the inadvertent publication pf one tine in our third editorial. of yesterday, that refers to violence against women. We reiterate our editorial policy of being strongly against all forms of violence and discrimination against women.