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AL ready for reforms, EC registration

Staff Correspondent
Avvami League (AL) acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday said his organisation is ready to carry out intra-party reforms and register with the Election Commission (EC).
He said, "We have no problem with reforming our party. But to do that, we will have to arrange a council, which is not possible under the state of emergency."
He was speaking to reporters after a meeting between German Ambassador in Dhaka Frank Meyke and AL acting president Zillur Rahman at the latter's Gulshan residence.
Syed Ashraf said they hope the government would soon create an atmosphere favourable to holding a council to amend the AL constitution and bring about other necessarychanges.
"The regulations regarding registration of political parties are still in draft form. Once they are made into laws, intra-party
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reforms will start taking place,” he observed.
"We will have to make some amendments to our [party] constitution to fulfil the criteria set by the Election Commission for registration," said the AL acting general secretary’.
He said the talks with the government won’t be successful if the parties confine themselves to mere attendance and rhetoric. There will have to be a consensus on issues like the election date, lifting of the state of emergency, and how to create an environment conducive to a free and fair election.
He said before joining the formal dialogue, AL will hold discussions with components of the 14-party combine.
The meeting between the German envoy and Zillur Rahman lasted about an hour.
Briefing the newsmen, Meyke said, "We've discussed reforms within political parties. Awami League seems very positive on the issue."
He said reform of the political parties is a must to do away with
the culture of confrontational politics.
Describing the intra-party reforms as a precondition for sustainable democracy in Bangladesh, he said the country's development partners including his government are eager to see a free and credible national election in time and restoration of democracy here.
Syed Ashraf said German investors are waiting for Bangladesh to return to democracy. They want an end to the current situation so they can venture into business here.
Asked about the condition of AL President Sheikh Hasina, who is now in the US for treatment following an eight-week release on executive orders, the AL leader said she is likely to go to Florida for ear treatment in a day or two.
AL'S BUDGET REACTION
AL yesterday observed that instead of resolving the present crises the budget for fiscal year 2008-09 would in fact deepen those.
In its formal reaction to the budget, it also noted that responsibility for failures of the current
budget might be shifted to the government that would come through the upcoming election.
The next government would also have to take on the responsibility for overcoming the crises confronting the nation now.
Terming the budget a cheap attempt to appease the discon-' tented people, imaginary and highly ambitious, the party said the government should have announced an interim budget for the period till December.
AL's Finance Secretary' Prof Ali Ashraf read out the written statement at a press briefing at the AL president's Dhanmondi office. Presidium members Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta and Motia Chowdhury', among others, were present.
Ashraf criticised the caretaker government's announcement of budget without consulting the political parties. Besides, he said, it has clearly violated the constitution by imposing new taxes.
The AL leader dismissed the finance adviser's claim of poverty reduction as baseless and ridiculous.