A former US Congressman described the upcoming elections in Bangladesh as "one of I the most important, if not the ' most important elections in the history of the country" and ; predicted that "If Bangladesh can achieve a relative amount ' of political stability, then it can ( maximise its efforts in stabilis- I ing other parts of its infras- : tructure." reports BSS.

According to Stephen J I Solarz. former chairman of the | House Sub-committee on ; Pacific and Asian Affairs, "free i and fair elections are necessary to establish political stability in the country and for I that matter in the region." said : a USIS news report, released I In Dhaka yesterday-

Solarz will co-chair a , National Democratic Institute delegation of Observers to , mopitor the upcoming elec tions in Bangladesh.

Speaking to reporters at the foreign press centre in - Washington Tuesday. Soiarz expressed confidence that the 200 international observers who will travel to Bangladesh next week will "coordinate ef forts and maximise the poten flat that can be achieved by the June 12 elections

Soiarz predicted a free and fair" election In Bangladesh even If some Irregularities do occur because, he said, the democratic process Is sup ported by the majority of the people of Bangladesh If the people and the observers conclude that the election was free and fair It would be difficult for those who lost to contest it." he said.