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Proposed NSC must not transcend parliament

Participants tell roundtable

Staff Correspondent
Participants at a roundtable yesterday suggested formation ot National Security Council (NSC) to ensure political stability, national security and sustained develop ment.
They however cautioned that the proposed NSC must not transcend parliament.
The speakers also expressed different opinions on the size and nature of its functioning with some saying that the NSC should have consultative role while others suggesting for its executive role
The roundtable on 'National Security Council' was organised by the Bangladesh Institute of leadership and Security Studies (BlLSS)ataci(yhotel
BNP leader Dr Osman Fanuk said he supports the formation of NSC with a core group comprising president. prime minister, leader of the opposition in parliament and chiefs of three services.
It may have other sub-groups to discuss important issues with vari-
ous stakeholders, he added
"NSC should be formed on the basis of oui own history instead of following (he models of other countries,'' said another BNP leader Chowdhury Kamal IbneYusuf
"It should not transcend our parliament.” he noted
In his keynote address, BIINS President Dr Ataur Bahman suggested that the proposed NSC, to be headed by the president, should comprise politicians, military leaders. intelligence agencies, bureaucrats, businesses and experts to create appropriate check and balance with the power of the prime minister.
"NSC should be a part of the constitution with a new article inserted, or an ordinance can be promulgated now'to be incorporated later in die constitution,” he added.
Prof Ataur said the number of NSC members may range from seven to 13 with an effective secretariat and back up of policy and research groups.
1 Ie said the council needs to work with operational autonomy under
the overall civilian control.
NSC will play leadership role in security sector and provide guidelines to all relevant ministries, monitor the compliance of its directives, prepare long term planning and forecast nation's risks as well as opportunities, he added
Prof Ataur said weak capacity building in state institutions and limited vision of political leadership have led to a situation dial needs NSC. as an integrated leadership model for national security, stability and sustained development.
It w ill also provide checks against rampant political partisanship and corruption and address the handicaps and decisional dilemmas of top political leadership when the country is confronted with crises and disasters, he added.
Jatiya Party leader GM Quader said it is not enough to give NSC power and authority, but its accountability must also be ensured.
"If the council is given executive power, dien there is the possibility of a parallel government." he noted.
Co-chairing the discussion, former adviser to a caretaker government Mahbubul Alam said there should be widespread consultations among various stakeholders before promulgating an ordinance on the formation of NSC.
Ac tive participation of politicians is a must to make NSC a success, said former minister Mizanur Bahman Shelley who chaired the programme.
Lt General Zahirul Alam opposed the proposal for die inclusion of intelligence forces in NSC.
He said there is an apprehension that military will have a dominant role in NSC, but it is not conect.
In a democratic society, voices supporting democratic values will always dominate, he added.
Journalist Sadeq Khan, former deputy prime minister Dr MA Matin, business leader Mir Nasir Hossain, Air Commodore Mahmud Hossain, former state minister Abul Hasan Chowdhury, Ambassadors Bashed Ahmed and Ashfaqur Bahman, Barrister Babeya Bhuiyan and former lawmaker Bazia Faiz also spoke.