There is at least a chestnut in the fire to be drawn out now from what has hitherto been all ashen incineration between the ruling AL and the Opposition BNP. Obviously, the government party has to pull it off with extreme care and skill so as not to burn its fingers and lose the prized catch before the fire's edge, and with even greater dispair caused for all concerned than before.

In a missive sent to AL, BNP has furnished an 'updated' list of MPs. other leaders and workers of the party who allegedly fell victim to politically motivated cases instituted by the government.

First of all. we welcome this BNP dynamic coming in prompt response to an AL piece of advice tendered with a sense of urgency to bring an end to the Opposition’s parliamentary stand-off. Secondly, we greet BNP's concretising its unceasing complaints of governmental repression by supplying the ruling party with names and particulars of the alleged victims of the purported highhandedness.

In fact, when the BNP had first aired Its chagrin at 'political victimisation' we made a common sense plea with the party that instead of blowing dust all around It had better furnish a list of victims to substantiate Its claim. They then submitted a list to the government but did not make It public Just as they have not done It this time also with the updated list. Finance Minister SAMS Klbrla Is learnt to have told the donors at the Aid Group meeting that 50 per cent of the names appearing on the BNP's original list were of those against whom the BNP Itself had Initiated cases when in power. It was just a follow-up done by the government. Among the remaining 50 per cent were persons charged with specific crimes, so claimed he. BNP's fresh catalogue of alleged victims contains names of 19 party MPs and 60 to 70 other leaders and party workers.

Just as we hope that BNP's latest list is 24-karat genuine without even a sprinkling of known criminals, our sole expectation from the government Is It would give the matter its highest consideration and at a speed to make up for the lost time.

And, if you have to err, do err on the side of generosity, that is our impassioned appeal to the government.