Stop Global Warming

Sir. Much has been talked about, and speculated, to curb the tremendous environmental pollution, by cutting down the operations of two-stroke en-Slines on the busy over-popu-ated streets of the capital and elsewhere, which definitely is a positive thinking and should have had serious considerations of the past and present law makers to save the environment from the lead poisoning it is facing now. However it is better late than never and it's good that the Government is thinking positively, though we eagarly wait to see when the thoughts will actually be put to acts and it is strongly felt "the sooner the better".

In a broader spectrum, if I may be allowed to ventilate my grievances, about what is happening around the world, it is felt that the Government should address the issue Internationally where its concern would be heard on global warming, that is alarmingly rising around the world, and without any hesitation. point out as to who should take the initiative and responsibility to curb this aggravation and stop an ensuing environmental disaster.

Recently, the U.S. completed another round of international negotiations on global warming in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Earlier, by signing the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. showed that it took the threat of global warming seriously. The U.S. is the world's leading producer of greenhouse gases — emitting one quarter of the world's total greenhouse gas with only 4 per cent of the total population. Power plants and automobiles produce one third of our emissions of carbon dioxide — the leading greenhouse gas. Yet. thanks to intense lobbying by the electric utility industry and auto-manufacturers, there are no regulations restricting car-

bon dioxide emissions from these sources.

Automobile and power plant pollution is responsible for many environmental and health problems we face in this country today including breathing difficulties, lung diseases, asthma, to name a few. By cutting global warming from these sources, we can simultaneously address many other environmental and health threats.

U.S. signed a Protocol on November 12th but it hasn’t ratified it yet. In order for the Protocol to be legally binding, it must be ratified by a vote of two-thirds (67) of the Senate. This is not likely to happen right away. Many Senators simply do not think this issue is important to their constituents.

If we are going to curb global warming, the U.S. needs to lake active steps to cut greenhouse gas emitting power plants and automobiles.

However, if we do not begin to take action to cut our emissions of greenhouse gases, this move in the form of Protocol will be nothing more than a cliched gesture.

Lt.CoLAziz Ahmad ( Retd ) Gulshan.Dhaka

Police versus Opposition

Sir, Mr A R Chowdhury's letter published in The Daily Star on 28th November. 1998 came to my notice. He deserves thanks for sharing his experience with us. We. the people of Bangladesh have heard and seen enough to doubt about the incident of 'a platoon of police in riot gear swooping on the peaceful procession of BNP and starting beating indiscriminately with 6-7 feet long bamboo sticks and hurling abusive words at them. A small boy who came to buy some food fainted by police beatings. We are repeatedly being stunned bv these

sorts of action by the police force.

We learned from newspapers that Mohammad Nasim. Housing and Public Works and Posts and Telecommunications Minister may replace Home Minister Rafiqul Islam. The reason behind the replacement, if it happens, political sources said is that the Home Minister had been regarded as a dove, who always preferred to use police in moderation against the Opposition. We know about many incidents in which police acted brutally against the opposition, if it is termed ’too soft' we are afraid to think what would happen in the near-future.

People are passing their days in sheer terror not knowing what to do. as it seems that policemen are busy only in the political arena, and least concerned about people's safety and welfare.

Nur Jahan East Nasirabad Chittagong

Nothing exceptional

Sir, The question paper of a Class-Two student reads in Bangla: ‘Shottow-Miththa Lekhow', which if translated into English would be: "Mark either: True or False." Then the next question reads: Word Kakey Boley? and so on. This question paper is the Annual examination 1998 of a certain school in Dhaka. Nothing exceptional. What is amazing is the fact that almost all high schools set their English question papers in the same manner! And the same goes on with other classes too. Like for a student of Class Four the question reads: 'Noun Kakey Boley? and again, 'Yudahran Dtey-Boo-Jeeay Lekho' — (What is a Noun? Give examples of each).

We would like to know why English question papers are

prepared in Bangla instead of English? And what are we to expect from our future generation when we ourselves do not know how to carry out our own duties accordingly?

Mujibul Haque

Mirpur Road

Dhaka ,

Caring for chaos

Sir. The saying goes The question is not what your country gives you but what you give to your country". The two leading ladies (the respectable PM and the Opposition Leader). I believe, have taken this saying too seriously. Hence, going all the way they can. to give this country further poverty, social and financial instability. If one party is trying to fight oppression then the other one makes it sure to flaunt their authority more. The point is not who started at first but rather that both arc continuing. To be a leader, what one really requires is sheer patriotism. One has to devote one's own personal feelings to the benefit of the country. Unfortunately, what our dear leaders bear in their hearts are hatred, vengeance, wealth and power hunger!

Arefeen Syed

Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Filling up, again

Sir. The RAJUK Is again filling up a big chunk of the Gulshan lake, this time at road 123 at Baridhara. . Earlier BELA served a legal notice lo stop this. Not only that, Baridhara society, and POROSH — a civic organisation has already condemned this work of RAJUK. Actually filling up is always done on some noble pertext but ultimately it is grabbed by some developers or allottees.

Mostafa Sohel

Dhaka