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Democracy faces derailment

Torkel asks govt, opposition to work together to solve crisis

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Bangladesh risks derailing from the democratic path unless both the government and the opposition parties work together to solve the present crisis, said US Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia Torkel L Patterson.
It is difficult to earn democracy but maintaining it is an even more difficult task, Patterson said. "Democracy is not free. Political parties should not take it for granted. It needs to be worked on. It needs sacrifice. If you are not careful you may lose it," he added.
Addressing a press conference in Dhaka yesterday, Patterson said top leaderships of the two major political parties should sit together in the interest of democracy. As head of the government, the prime minister should arrange it, he felt.
"The prime minister is the prime minister of the whole country, she is prime minister of the government just as she is prime minister of the opposition also. She is responsible for all affairs of the country including arranging dialogue with the opposition. So, I think she will do the best she can," he said deploring the absence of dialogue among political partiesin Bangladesh.
Terming Bangladesh a young democracy, the US deputy assistant secretary said the political parties should practise and continue constructive dialogue to nurture democracy. "We think two top leaders have interest in democracy. And there arelot of common grounds in the two parties they are leading," he said.
Referring to a comment by an envoy to a neighbouring country, he said, "Thereis a country where political parties fight on who would sleep in the master bed room at a time when the whole house caught fire and is burning." Bangladeshi political parties should not follow this, he said.
Asked whether US is concerned over little headway in the probe into the recent blasts in Bangladesh, Patterson said the government should concentrate on thorough investigation, adding thorough investigation may take some time.
"The US government has done thorough investigation through an independent commission on 9/11 issue and the government has ensured that all citizens read it," he said.
The US diplomat pointed out that sometimes government cannot prevent all terrorist attacks. The US faced terrorist attacks in Oklahoma and New York cities. So, the opposition parties should stand beside government to overcome such national crisis, he thought.
"We are concerned over a series of bomb blasts in Bangladesh, especially on an opposition rally and a high commissioner. This must not be allowed to repeat," Patterson said.
Asked if he expects a fair investigation when political parties are blaming each other, he said efforts of political parties are different from that of the government. "Political parties can say whatever they want. That's politics. But the government has the responsibility, " he said.
On FBI role in the blasts probe, Patterson said FBI will provide support to Bangladesh investigation agencies and it will work according to the needs of the government.
Replying to a question on establishment of Bangladesh-America joint working group to enhance Dhaka's counter-terrorism capability, he said there had not been any decision yet to that end. " We can talk about doing that. We can have, we can exchange; it's a good idea from both of us," He said.
During a recent visit to Dhaka, US State Department coordinator for counter-terrorism J Cofer Black said US may sign a protocol on counterterrorism collaboration with Bangladesh to help it counter terrorism and details of the protocol will be worked out soon.
Patterson noted sometimes poverty breeds terrorism. If there are no jobs, people may indulge in terrorism. Referring to a World Bank report, he said starting new business in Bangladesh is the costliest in the region. "If new business cannot be launched, how come people get job," he said.
On other issues, Pattersoin said the government should prosecute those trying to stand against freedom of the press. Besides, minorities' interest should be protected in the interest of the country, he felt.