***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.***

Hide prospect, seek politics?

Sir, Both the major political parties seem to be playing a hide-and-seek game. They are acting as untouchable. The communication gap is extreme. They are speaking from different planes. There is no level or plain platform. The citizens do not know how to advise them.

The political leaders have to find a political solution, for the sake of the nation, instead of bringing the compliments to the public. It is not a question of public support, but of political understanding. That's why we have leaders. They should show statesmanship.

The country is losing valuable time. The people are tired of waiting. Smaller minds have less patience. How long the Status quo will continue? The people demand an answer.

A Zabr Dhaka

Safe custody

Sir. I wrote to you in May 1996 concerning the rape of a 14-year-old girl by police officers. Since then there have been more reports of rapes by police officers, particularly directed at young girls in their custody. It is shocking to think that this brutality continues even though the public is aware of it happening. I believe many people in Bangladesh are afraid to speak out against it for fear of arrest, threats or abuse.

A 16-year-old girl named Sheema was detained and then gangraped by police officers. This occurred in Chittagong. Sheema died from a severe illness on February 12th, 1997 after being transferred to hospital from "safe custody" at Chittagong District Jail.

The police officers responsible should be brought to Justice. Children in Bangladesh

need to grow up in a safe environment.

Sue Townsend Norway

UI desire in the name of merriment

Sir, What happened on the 9th April last in nothing but a horrible and shameful event after Bangladesh cricket team qualified for the World Cup’ ’99.

The enjoyment became painful and a matter of shame. No doubt that the physical harassment and insult to the girls and women by some young people were totally intentional.

There roguish people committed an unpardonable crime. They used the opportunity to fulfill their ill desire. How perverted they are! I am doubtful whether at all humans. These uncivilised, roguish people should be — and must be — purified.

Asjadul Kibria

Gabtalt, North Masdair Narayangan/-1400

Hold a referendum

Sir, Following the signing of historic 30-year Ganges water treaty between Bangladesh and India in December 1996, some of our Awami League leaders claimed victory for their efficiency in diplomacy, made ecstasy of delight and out-burst of joy for the bountiful of the Ganges water they had been successful in bringing it from New Delhi after long 20 years.

But before the holy ink on the monumental signatures of Hasina and Gowda could dry we found the water level in our river Padma at Rajshahi, Hardinge Bridge and other places drastically dipping day by day. Why has the Ganges water gone dry? Where has the Ganges water gone?

New Delhi leaders have once again proved that no matter who comes to power and who goes out of power in Dhaka. India would never abandon its strategy and. manoeuvres for supremacy and hegemony in South Asia.

New Delhi made duplicity with our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the name of trial operation of Farakka Barrage and now she has deceived his daughter Sheikh Hasina.

New Delhi took over our territory of Berubari by chicanery and she refused to hand over to us their territory of Tinbigha in exchange. India also forcefully, occupied our territory of Taipatty. Smuggled goods and commodities of India have flooded our markets. The huge trade imbalance between India and Bangladesh is fracturing the backbone of our national economy and millions of our people are being reduced to penury.

Under such circumstances, how can we allow road transit and Chittagong Port facilities to New Delhi to carry Indian goods, commodities and passengers from West Bengal to seven north-eastern states of India, divert the Asian Highway route from Cox's Bazar to Tamabil, Sylhet. import electricity from India, agree to subregional grouping with Indian states?

We sincerely believe from the core of our hearts and we urge our government and all political parties, and all concerned to hold a referendum in the country on the issues like Bangladesh's joining sub-regional grouping, change to Asian Highway route, import of electricity from India, and grant of transit and Chittagong Port facilities to India in the greater interest of national unity, integrity and peace in the country.

We strongly believe that the will of the people should always prevail.

OH Kabir

Wari. Dhaka-1203

Food adulteration

Sir, The Public Health Labo ratory of the Institute of Public

Health (IPH) has revealed that 45 per cent of the food items teste during March last was found adulterated (Star March 24, '97). However, the news item does not mention the names of the adulterated food items. How many food items were tested? What was the result?

If the IPH is looking after the Public Health, then, in all fairness the results of the food testings should be published by the IPH so that the citizens are aware of these adulteration. IPH cannot stop the adulteration but they can effectively make the public aware of their tests.

I request the IPH to publish the names of the 45 adultered products of March '97, test results of last four months and regular monthly publication of future tests.

LA Ahmed

Section-7

Uttara Model Town, Dhaka

Netanyahu's folly

Sir. On April 13. 1993. Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin had a historical handshake In Washington under the blessings of President Bill Clinton, following the grant of self-rule of Gaza Strip.and Jericho. West Bank, by Israel to the Palestinians. Things started moving slowly in a faltering way. set by step but quite satisfactorily and smoothly since then overcoming many initial snags and hitches. Every problem that came up in the course of implementation of self-rule and peace process was mutually solved without any bickering and snag.

Even after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin in late 1995 when his mantle of premiership was taken over by his deputy premier. Shimon Peres, the momentum and rhythm of implementation progressed, witnout any gripe. He picked up the thread which was left by late Rabin and followed the peace process quite smoothly and the modalities carried out peacefully.

The cordial scenario was, however, completely put in reverse gear and spanner was thrown in the works when Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud

party stepped in as premier about eleven months back. Since then, the peace process abruptly took a sharp U-turn and he upset the apple cart of peace accord of Oslo. His stubbornness and intractability led to the opening of a second entrance to the tunnel under the West Wall in September. 1996, which evoked severe protests by the Palestinians, resulting in 70 deaths.

His another folly, rather political snobbery, was to delay the pull out of Hebron of Israel's troops for about 8 months. Ultimately he had to pull out the troops in January under arms twisting by USA. His third and most egregious faux pas is to build up a Jewish settlement in •East Jerusalem, consisting of 6500 housing complex for 30,000 Jewish settlers, It is like planting an atom bomb in the heart of Palestine. This move has sparked violent reaction and serious uprising by the Palestinians in Gaza, and West Bank. Against this back drop. Netanyahu should roll back this project and come to grips with the grave consequences of this move.

N H Sufi 17/6-c. Tajmahal Road Mohammadur. Dhaka.

Victory of Bangladesh Cricket team

Sir. By beating Scotland in the semifinal of the ICC Trophy. Bangladesh Cricket team has qualified to play in the World Cup. It is a great honour for the country and its people. The whole nation prayed for the victory and when it happened was overjoyed. People came out in the streets to celebrate with processions and slogans. We want to see these sorts of processions which fill the hearts with joy. not processions oi agitations which sometimes become unruly.

But why only in the sports sector — why don't we unitedly try for the prosperity of our country in every sector so that as a Bangladeshi we could become proud?

Nur Jahan

East Nasirabad. Chittagong.

The allure of 'couture'

Sir. I am aware that "couture" is a relatively new term in the fashion scene of'our country. My opinion is that this form of dressing (henCt this term itself) should be more familiarised so that our fashion industry can grow and bring more smart clothes to the public.

Dressing in "couture” clothes are the exact opposite of dressing in "off-the-peg" clothes. Couture clothes are those which have been made to measure, after several fittings: which are in impeccable fabric and are exclusive to the customer alone.

As more and more designers are appearing on the fashion scene In Dhaka, I am sure, those of us who can appreciate the flattery of clothes will turn to such custom-made form of dressing. Popularising such "designer” clothes will only make it easier and sooner for the common masses to indulge in one or two such clothes once in a while!

Farzana Yasmin Mannan Shambazar, Dhaka.

Cricket and few thoughts

Sir. May I express some thoughts on our recent cricket related activities? Firstly, the coach, officials and the players themselves got Justified applaud for the historic achievement.

But I found no honourable mention of our wage-earners who created a home-ground atmosphere to Inspire the players.

The other point is that the selection of site for the proposed cricket stadium. The spot selected and the size is not suitable and would make the already-crowded Mogbazar and Tejgaon area more chaotic. A more suitable spot is the southern side of BiJoy Sarani (part of old airport).

MA Haq

Dhaka 1205