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CG assures UN chief of credible polls

Military leadership promises him not to intervene, interfere in political process; Ban leaves Dhaka last night

Diplomatic Correspondent
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday said the caretaker government gave assurance that it would do its best to hold a credible election in an atmosphere conducive to polls and ensure voters' security.
"I was also assured by the military leadership that they will ensure that the forthcoming election will be free, fair and credible and there will be no intervention and interference in any political process," he said referring to his meeting with the army chief.
Ban Ki-moon was speaking at a press conference at Sonargaon Hotel, ending his two-day visit to Bangladesh.
It is very important that the election is held in December, Ban said, adding, "It should be held in the most fair, credible and transparent manners."
He said, "I told the political parties that they should play a responsible role and there should be fair competition and that they should respect the poll results and have full cooperation based on democratic rules among themselves."
Asked about the UN position on lifting of the state of emergency as being demanded by the country's political parties, the UN chief said he is well aware of the concern and urged the parties to resolve the matter through discussion with the government.
"As a matter of principle we want an atmosphere where people can cast their votes freely without fear," he said, adding that there should be guarantee of free assembly and free movement, which are basic principles to ensuring fair elections.
Ban said, "I saw clearly that democracy belongs in Bangladesh; there is no insurmountable obsta-
cle to ushering in a better, brighter, more sustainable democracy after the elections in December.
"The December ballot is a historic opportunity. Now is the moment to stand against the polarisation and violence that have characterised past elections," he added.
The UN chief said during his meetings with BNP and Awami League leaders he stressed that holding of the election is very important for democracy.
He said, "The government must ensure that the fundamental rights and freedoms necessary for a free,
fair and credible election are guaranteed. And it must ensure that the elections take place in a peaceful and secure environment."
He said the incoming government would need to reach out to the opposition in parliament while the latter must engage constructively with the new government to consolidate the reforms begun by the current caretaker government, particularly those dedicated to fighting corruption.
Ban said the UN would dispatch a small team of highly capable and prominent individuals who will
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visit in the coming weeks to assess the conduct of the election and report to him.
The UN chief, who left for New York last evening ending his weeklong tour of the Philippines, India, Nepal and Bangladesh, had a very busy schedule yesterday. He visited a micro-financing programme in Bogra and a disaster preparedness programme in Sirajganj. He also met with the president, chief adviser, foreign adviser, and leaders of the BNP and Awami League.
He said the UN stands ready to help. "As a friend of Bangladesh, I have an obligation to speak frankly and I hope to lend my advice and personal assistance in any way that lean."
For Bangladesh, he said, much depends on good governance. "Perhaps never before has it been so important for the nation's diverse people and political leaders to pull together--to fight corruption, to uphold the rule of law, to respect institutional checks and balances and to promote democracy.
"This was my message to all I met--government authorities, political parties, civil society leaders and ordinary citizens," he added.
The UN secretary-general said it is in the best interest of the world and the people of Bangladesh to see the country achieve its full potential for democratic development through free and credible elections.
Asked if the UN will set up a special tribunal to try war crimi-nalsofthe 1971 Liberation War, Ban said first the Bangladesh government needs to have an official position on this issue and then it must make an official request to the UN which will then go through proper procedures.
Turning to his talks with the army chief, he said they discussed how to strengthen the partnership between the UN and Bangladesh, especially in peacekeeping operations.
"I expressed my desire that Bangladesh can contribute more troops to the peacekeeping mis-sions and 1 got very positive response from the military leadership," Ban Ki-moon said, mentioning that Bangladesh is the second largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping operations, with more than 9,000 troops and police officers servingin UN missions.
Ue also spoke on climate change and global financial crisis.
The UN secretary-general recalled his first visit to Bangladesh in 1975 as a Korean government official. He lauded the warm hospitality of the people of Bangladesh. He said he was impressed to witness the development Bangladesh achieved in the last three decades.