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Talks with Hasina

Demand for a deferred poll worries US envoy

Staff Correspondent
US Ambassador to Dhaka James F Moriarty yesterday expressed his worries over the idea of deferring the national polls, scheduled for December 18.
He said he expects BNP to produce some sort of a solution and hopes to see a good election with all major political parties participating and everybody accepting the results.
Awami League (AL) acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam called upon all political parties to take part in the polls and ensure th at the elections are held in a free and fair manner.
The remarks came after a meeting between James F Moriarty and AL chief Sheikh Hasina and other top AL leaders at Hasina's home Sudha Sadan in the capital.
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That is for the people to decide but frankly I am worried that if the election is postponed, when will it be held?" Moriarty told newsmen when asked for his comments on deferring the polls.
It is important that the polls are held soon and people understand that it is going to be held, he said, adding that he is looking forward to an election held on December 18.
Moriarty said he wanted to know from the AL chief about her party's election preparation. He said Hasina told him that the AL is prepared and looking forward to taking pan in the December 18 polls.
As Hasina congratulated the American people on the historic polls. Moriarty said he hopes the same will happen to Bangladesh.
Talking to the media, Syed Ashraful Islam said AL calls upon all political parties to take part in the next polls as scheduled instead of blaming or conspiring against each other. The AL wants the election to be peaceful and free of all sons of criminal activities, he added.
"Let's participate and accept victory or defeat... Let's build harmony among us," he said, adding that the national polls scheduled for December 18 must be held and there is no alternative to it
He also said the state of emergency must be lifted to make the
election acceptable to all.
"We want a free and fair election because it is important for the people, for politics and politicians," Ashraful said, observing that it is the political parties that suffered the most after the January 11,2007 changeover.
He said, "We believe that the election will be held on December 18 and all the political parties will take part. There should be no doubt about it.”
Asked about BNP’s demand for deferring the election, the AL leader said they make demands for the sake of making demands but AL believes BNP is preparing for the polls and will participate in the polls.
"We told James F Moriarty that we are committed to uprooting corruption from Bangladesh, establishing the rule of law and good governance. We want to see a prosperous and happy Bangladesh," he told journalists.
Hasina during the meeting said if voted to power, AL would bring the spiralling prices of essentials under control and within the reach of the common people, create fresh employment opportunities and enhance social harmony.
AL leaders Hasan Mahmud, Dipu Moni, Tanjim Ahmed, Sohel Taj. Major Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique and Abul Kalam Azad were present during the meeting that took place between 4:30pm and 5:10pm.