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.

Why the Talks Failed: A clarification

Sir. Mr S A M S Kibria in an article published In The Dally Star of January 28th fulminated against my views in an article under the caption "Why the Talks Failed" which appeared in the January 24th issue of the paper. Normally I wouldn't like to be drawn into polemics. More so because Intolerance, indecency and imputation of motive seem to be overtaking a healthy discussion. However, to dispel any confusion in the public mlna. I should like to clarify one or two points. Mr Kibria in his earlier article informed us that the talks failed because the government-side took a "rigid" stand on the issue of date of .election. I do not claim to be a constitutional lawyer. But my understanding of the country's fundamental law is that holding the election within 90 days after dissolution of the parliament is mandatory. When I referred to the BNP-negotiators' "rigidity" it was only on this issue i.e. the date of holding the election. I still believe, in the absence of a political consensus, if elections are not held within the stipulated time there will be a constitutional vacuum and I really cannot Imagine what will follow next. Incidentally. Mr Kibria admits that the opposition parties were seeking "a solution outside the Constitution" (January 28th).

Mr Kibria has discovered in me a happy man "that there was no agreement", although I have never made any such suggestion either in public or in private discussion. Finally his quotation in regard to an earlier situation is totally irrelevant to the present one. I can hardly imagine a responsible man making any such remark given the changed political climate in the county-

Professor M Maniruzzaman Miah. Dhaka

Why the talks failed and the right to vote

Sir, It is of no use to blame BNP or AL-JP as to who is responsible for the present political crisis in the country.

When panaceas are offered on one side, only to be answered by panegyrics on the other, the argument lacks conclusiveness.

It is neither unilateral general elections nor boycott | of the general elections but only some miracles which can save us from this political crisis In the country. Let us therefore think, seek and find out how we can overcome our unfortunate political stalemate.

The will of the people is supreme over any Judgement of Supreme Court or any controversy over democratic process and constitutional process.

In an Independent and

sovereign country every people has the right to vote. Let therefore all of us. irrespective of BNP. AL. JI. JP and others, pave the way for our people to cast their vote freely and peacefully without any fear or intimidation on February 15.1996.

If the people participate in the voting in large number we would all accept that people prefer BNP more than AL-J1-JP and others. If the people do not participate in the voting we would accept that the people prefer AL-JI-JP and others more than BNP.

Moreover, after the general elections is over, let the new Parliament amend the Constitution and hold a fresh general election under a caretaker government within next ten months to solve our political crisis for good, for the sake of peace, progress and political stability in the country.

OH Kabir Dhaka

Foreign humorist

Sir. The broadside against a foreign writer of wit and humour on the scenes In Bangladesh (Letter. Star. Jan 25) appears to be quite misplaced. It should be taken in the spirit it is written. Why. for example, a foreign humorist is popular here — Art Buchwald, appearing since early '50s and revived in the ■90s?

The humour (bile) of our political leadership is responsible for the current dispirited state of the mind. They were too serious and critical, to run the country in the Idealistic mould. We were never a practical nation thanks to our zamindari mentality. We are trying to be businessmen from the 1990s, but rent-seekers (say.

politicians) are barring the way. Lots of bile operation clinics may be set up. The nation has forgotten to laugh — with a gun in hand. Denounce the political gunpowder bar-relsl

Going Crazy Dhaka-0000

Live on the Internet

Sir. Congratulations for dedicating once-a-week page on Internet. This page will definitely provide immense potentiality to E-mallers of Bangladesh and Bangladeshis in North America and Europe.

E-mail Club of Bangladesh in its meetings had been discussing how to Interact with overseas Bangladeshis, especially in sharing information and raising topical issues. The Daily Star's page on Internet will definitely give scope for such communica tions.

E-mail Club envisages to popularise and familiarise the Internet in Bangladesh would also benefit from the page.

Stileem Samad

•Dhaka

Akhter Hamid Khan

Sir. I support the proposal (Letter. Star, Jan 25) for proper national recognition of the pioneering effort of Akhter Hamid Khan in bringing up the former Comma Academy (now BARD) with the proper vision. My visit to the centre several decades ago reminded me of the rising sun.

A Maunz

Dhaka