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Return to Sangsad

Holzman urges Khaleda

By Staff Correspondent
Outgoing US Ambassador John C. Holzman asked the opposition yesterday to return to parliament and participate in debates for continuation of democratic and constitutional process.
He said Bangladesh made steady progress over the past decades towards establishing democracy and hoped that the nation would continue the process.
Holzman made a farewell called on Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Khaleda Zia at her 29 Minto Road official residence yesterday. The ambassador said the BNP should return to parliament and speak about the problems and other issues.
Talking to newsmen after the nearly one-and-half-hour meeting, Holzman said, "I encouraged her to go back and stay in the parliament."
He said he firmly believes the opposition will be wise to attend parliament session because then people will be aware more of their causes.
But the outgoing ambassador said the Leader of the Opposition briefed him about the opposition's refraining from Joining the parliament session. Khaleda Zia said the opposition will return to the House only when there is the right atmosphere.
MM Rezaul Karim. BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council
member told newsmen that the opposition leader apprised the US Ambassador of current state of democracy, "gross violation of human rights, and repression on opposition by the government."
She also informed him of latest incidents of violence, occupation for properties, murders and abuse of the Public Safety Act by the government.
The ambassador said he is aware of the situation. Karim quoted Holzman as saying that the incidents of violation of human rights might be included in the US State Department s Report on Human Rights in fu-tu re.
He said Khaleda also told the ambassador that the government appointed Chief Election Commissioner without discussing the opposition and recently appointed a "most controversial and AL men" as Election Commissioner to rig future polls. But the opposition will never accept such appointments and politicisation.
According to Karim, the BNP chief asked the US government to suggest to the ruling Awami League that it halt repression on opposition and behave democratically.
She lauded the role of Holzman saying he is the one of the outstanding US ambassadors Bangladesh has hud. who played a vital lole in further
strengthening relations between the two countries
BNP Secretary -general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan MP. M Mor-shed Khan MP were also present on the occasion while the newly appointed deputy chief of IS Mission (hi istopluu Webstar and another senior official John Freeman accompanied the ambassador.