'Save Democracy'

Sir, Mr T Hussain in his article under the above heading appearing in the "Opinion" column of your daily on September 12. 1995 has made some strange remarks. How can he say that the gap between the contentions of the ruling party and the mainstream opposition parties is now the narrowest ever?

The oppositions demand is for the government to step down immediately and holding of general election under a caretaker government headed by the Chief Justice. The Prime Minister has agreed to step down 30 days ahead of the date of the next general election. But under Article 57 (3) of the Constitution the Prime Minister after resignation shall continue to carry on office until the Prime Minister's successor enters office.

The Prime Minister has as a matter of fact partially acceded to first part of the opposition's demand, because Instead of 90 days, she has agreed to resign 30 days ahead of the date of general election. The Prime Minister to my knowledge has made no comment on the other part of the opposition's demand which is about formation of a caretaker government headed by the Chief Justice for the purpose of holding the general elections. This may be for the fact that there appears to be no provision In the. Constitution for formation ofsuch an interim government. So. in my opinion the gap between the contentions of the ruling party and the opposition remains

as wide as ever.

According to Mr Hussain the opposition's main contention that Begum Zia will not be in power during the next election has been resolved with her declaration that she would resign 30 days ahead of the polls. This, apparently was opposition's main goal which has been achieved. If that is the position then there is hardly the necessity of forming a caretaker government headed by the Chief Justice to conduct the polls.

Mr Hussain's concluding remark that the possibility of the President running the shop (interim government) with the help of the bureaucracy seems to be the only solution which may be acceptable to all is to any mind not based on a sound reasoning because the opposition's demand Is for formation of a neutral caretaker government in which the President or the Prime Minister shall have no role to play.

M Zaman

DOHS. Dhaka Cant

Humiliation of fellow citizen

Sir. It appeared that Bangladesh turned topsyturvy during the 72-hour hartal (16-18 September). The hartal not only crippled and brought into standstill all our trade, commerce, communication, business, office works and social activities but it Also paralysed the wisdom, morality and decency of a section of hartal activists.

The call for hartal is the democratic right of the polit-

ical parties but intimidation, compulsion, insult and humiliation etc are violation of human rights.

We bow dur heads down in shame, ignominy and disgrace before the eyes of the civilised world and demo-tratic countries when a prohartal activist stripped a middle aged gentleman of his clothes on a public thoroughfare while he was going to attend his office.

Whither our morality? Are we entering into the dark ages? Let us give up our evil and wicked conduct and manners and behave like civilised people.

OH Kabir Dhaka

Musical programme

Sir, Recently the Bangladesh Television had telecast a musical programme in which noted signers from the SAARC countries took part. Hamid Ali of Pakistan. Hemanta Mukharjee and Haimanti Shukla of India. Asafuddowla, Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin of Bangladesh and one artiste from Sri Lanka had presented melodious songs in the programme. However, we are also excepting to find Mehedi Hasan of Pakistan and Lata of India in the musical session.

We would request the BTV authority to arrange to telecast SAARC artistes' musical programme atleast once in a month.

M Zahidul Haque Assistant Professor Bangladesh Agricultural Institute.

Eye Hospital

Sir. Dr. Ian Thomson's letter to your esteemed pa per published on 19th September 1995 gives a bal a need view as to what can and does go wrong in the Management of an Eye Hospital. He contends that

Islamia Eye Hospital is no exception. He suggests no useful purpose will be served in carrying on recrimination of the Management of the Islamia Hospital.

The time has come to make a detailed study as to where the Management has gone wrong. All efforts should be made together and save the name of what was once the most prestigious Hospital in this region. Dr lan Thomson's letter advocates that constructive role should be played by all the well wishers of the Hospital.

Mihir Alt Wart Dhaka

Beijing Conference

Sir, A lengthy article by Ekram Kabir on the editorial page of September 30 commented on the UN Conference on Women in Beijing. He refers to two assertions of Hillary Clinton : 1) that "freedom means right of people to assemble, organise and debate openly" and 2) that she described as violations of human rights the practices of forced abortions and sterilisation and the denial to women of the "right to plan their own families." These are the only points mentioned.

Later in the article the author states : "Although the Bangladesh delegation didn't feel like that of Mrs. Clinton". Perhaps the author forgot toward the end of the article what he had written in the tieginning. Otherwise, what he is saying is that the Bangladesh delegation repudiates two fundamental principles of human rights : the right of freedom of expression and the right to make decisions without coercion. I doubt If the delegation mem tiers will agree

Father Timm Commission for Justice and Peace. Dhaka