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Germany offers dialogue to make next JS polls free and fair

UNB, Dhaka
Germany considers the next parliamentary election in Bangladesh as very 'crucial' for its development and has offered a dialogue with the authorities on howbest the polls can beheld.
"To make the elections free and fair, the matter lies with the people and the authorities of Bangladesh. This is not a matter for anybody from the outside. But this is a tremendous task and there are difficulties in ensuring that. To overcome the difficulties, Germany, like all other partners, is ready to enter into dialogue with the Bangladesh authorities on how to ensure free and fair elections," German Ambassador Dietrich Andreas told UNB yesterday.
He said it is an offer of support
and co-operation, which of course needs response from the Bangladesh authorities. He also observed that such things as "the byelection in the Dhaka-10 constituency did not contribute to the feeling that elections in Bangladesh are held in a free and fair way under any circumstances."
Calling the next elections crucial for the democracy of Bangladesh and for Ilie country's future development, the German envoy said it is essential (hat the government recognises its importance and that all parties should work together to achieve that end.
Andreas, who attended last month's donors* meeting in Washington, said there arc difficulties relating to law and order and governance — a view widely shared by the public in this country. "We're
not interested in accusing somebody, but we discussed these problems trying to find a commop approach to support the government in overcoming them" in the* Washington meeting.
While appreciating the progress made in different fields, the ambassador said Bangladesh's development partners believe that governance issues are very crucial to further the country's development.
About terrorism — a common problem in the present-day world scenario — Andreas said the recent developments like bomb attacks and a climate of insecurity caused great concerns and are 'detrimental' to Bangladesh's development and image abroad.
Saying that terrorist threat is worldwide and there is no reason to believe that Bangladesh is immune, Andreas said it is important to work together in the international field against terrorism. And it is also important that each government does its "homework to fight against terrorism in a credible way". He felt that "allowing a climate of impunity would endanger the very basis of any democratic state".
The German envoy said investigation of the grenade and bomb attacks including those on the leader of the opposition, SAMS Kibria and the British high commissioner, as well as prosecution of the perpetrators, should have "the highest priority for the government, which must clearly show that there is no tolerance against such types of violence."
On the Chittagong arms haul he noted with disappointments that, although it had happened under the nose of the police and although many facts and names had been reported in the media, no progress was known in bringing the culprits to justice. He warned that such incidents and the lack of prosecution must not be underestimated as a threat to regional stability.
Welcoming government actions against some militant organisations and activists, Andreas hoped that the government's action would be followed up with thorough investiga-
tions into militant activities.
Praising the measures against militant elements, he said, "This is a first step in the right direction and we are following with great attention the outcome of the investigations."
Asked if weak governance affects German development cooperation with Bangladesh, Andreas said Germany is looking forward to continuing its present successful development cooperation with Bangladesh as long as the money is used for the welfare of the Bangladeshi people in an efficient and transparent way.
He pointed out that, like Bangladesh, a large number of development partners are also asking for Germany's financial and technical support. So, it is vital for Bangladesh to pay utmost attention to good governance and restrict corruption to a minimum level, in order not to loose out to other countries with an impeccable track record in governance matters.
The German envoy hoped that the Anti-corruption Commission would soon start functioning in effective way to contain the level of corruption. He also emphasised that the government should take credible and strong efforts for quick separation of the judiciary from the executive for the betterment of the country and its people.