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Patterson for Ctg Port privatisation

Meets AL, Bikalpa Dhara leaders

Staff Correspondent
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Torkel Patterson yesterday suggested privatisation of Chittagong Port, saying a modem port will accelerate economic development as Chittagong is located at a key geographical point. ’
"Look into the map and you will find that countries like India, China and Myanmar are very close to Chittagong and a vibrant and modem port there will make a positive impact on the country's economic development if its neighbouring countries get chance to use it," Patterson told reporters.
He said the location of Chittagong Port is good for Bangladesh and the region as well.
The visiting US State Department official made the comments after meeting separately with leaders of main opposition Awami League (AL) and Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB).
The meetings were held at AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil's Gulshan residence and Baridhara house of Badruddoza Chowdhury, chief of the BDB.
On AL's demand for an early election, Patterson, on his second trip here in last two months, said midterm election is a question that has to be decided by parliament and the constitution of Bangladesh.
"Parliament should take the decision according to the constitu-
tion of Bangladesh whether there will be a midterm election or not," hesaid, adding that the US is looking for a free and fair election in Bangladesh in 2006-07.
The AL leaders including its acting President Zillur Rahman and Jalil, however, told Patterson that early polls are not unusual in parliamentary democracy if a government completely fails to deliver.
The country will fall into mins if the BNP-led coalition government stays in office for five years, Jalil told Patterson.
Asked about the US interest in privatising the Chittagong port, Patterson, who visited Chittagong Port on Wednesday and talked to businesses in the port city, said it is not for the US that the port should be privatised. "Privatisation is a good idea for efficient running of the port, efficient handling of cargo and quick clearance of customs," he observed.
The AL leaders agreed with the US idea of privatising the Chittagong Port and said there is no problem if such a port benefits people of the country.
"The previous Awami League government never opposed the idea of a private port in Chittagong," Jalil said to have told Patterson when the US deputy assistant secretary asked about AL's position on the issue.
On AL leader and Chittagong City Mayor ABM Mohiuddin's vehement opposition against a private port there, Jalil told reporters, "Mohiuddin has given his opinion as Mayor of the city and it does not represent the Awami League's view."
Jalil said the US official expressed concern over the slide in law and order and rise of religious extremist groups in Bangladesh. "We told him that the present coalition formed government with fundamentalist forces and for this secular character of Bangladesh is now at stake," he said.
He said the US also lauded the AL leaders for staging a comeback to parliament, but the AL alleged that they are not allowed to discuss crucial national issues there, includ-ing slide in law and order and widespread corruption by the ruling alliance members.
He said after re-election of President Bush to the White House for another four years, "We would like to see how our relations should go and what the issues are ahead of us."
PATTERSON MEET'S
B CHOWDHURY
Patterson later met with former president and BDB chief Badruddoza Chowdhury and other leaders at Chowdhury's Baridhara residence.
The US deputy assistant secretary expressed concern over recent attacks on the BDB meetings and said in a democratic society every citizen should have the right to express his opinion freely.
"But I am glad to see here that many political parties are functioning which is good for democracy," Patterson commented.
BDB leaders Abdul Mannan, Firoze M Hasan and Mahi B Chowdhury were also present at the meeting.
The BDB leaders briefed Patterson about their plan to formulate a people's manifesto with suggestions from broader spectrum of society. "The US deputy assistant secretary of state welcomed our public manifesto programme," said BDB Spokesman Mahi B Chowdhury.