Looking back 1/11 - Part One
On the occassion of anniversay of 1/11, we have written a three part looking back series. This is first part. The title of the three part series are:
1. An alternative analysis about 1/11
2. Absurd claim that everybody in Bangladesh was supporting the 1/11
3. They want to punish the majority of public for supporting and continue to support 1/11
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An alternative analysis about 1/11 - A prophecy that turned out to be true
Read through the following conversation few weeks before the 1/11.
Many of our analysts are doing their job, but we haven't seen this perspective to be disucussed by any.
Ironically, what Professor Yunus offered then, more or less the same is being tried now. The only difference is that had our media supported that proposal at that time, the on-going effort would have been done by the politicians themselves. But our editors, journalists or the senior analysts did not realize the depth of the proposal at that time. Had they realized the same then, had the politicians were more positive about the proposal, our country would have been much better off now.
If the politicians were at the helm, were the current reform being done with a understanding among the politicians, the effort would have been more people friendly. Since a new group without any such experience is exeucting the reforms, they are making mistakes. Good news is the current group is open to change and correct the mistakes if there is any.
In the final analysis, we would like to suggest that the govt. still take a group of the poiticians into consideration, in public. May be they can use the parliament floor to invite all the registered political parties to create a Citizens' Charter for the political parties and eventually for the government. Currently, we know different branches of the administration is working to create their respective Charters. Accordingly, the political parties also need a Citizens Charter. Govt can include this as a major agenda for upcoming dialogue.
If you thought some of the ideas are worth of your reading time, please forward it to others. If you have an ear to the columinsts in regular traditional media, please forward it to them. If you have an ear to the journalists and news editors of the electronic media, discuss it with them. Hope they would look at the suggestions and give due diligence.
Also, if you thought the article was important enough so it should come under attention of the head of the government please forward the message to them.
Email address for the Chief Advisor: feeedback@pmo.gov.bd (please let us know if you think its not correct address)
or at http://www.cao.gov.bd/feedback/comments.php
Thanks for your time,
Innovation Line
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Note: This is a freelance column, published mainly in different internet based forums. This column is open for contribution by the members of new generation, sometimes referred to as Gen 71. If you identify yourself as someone from that age-group and want to contribute to this column, please feel free to contact. Thanks to the group moderator for publishing the article.
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Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 09:22:32 -0500
Subject: RE: [ALOCHONA] Behind Dr. Yunus' Peace Proposal
Hi,
Is it binding to any party when get elected accept peace deal.
My concern is not. Who will decide what portfolio opposition will get.
Opposition may have ministries which they may not accept.
I am proposing opposite of what Dr. Younus propose. Since you cannot change constitution or dismiss people until you are elected let us (people) give political parties a year vacation and send representatives to parliament for one year to change constitution so that judiciary, election commision, anti-corruption commission and obviously polices become free from political influences. I think it should not take more than year. These people we elect should not be part of political party and should not be able to run under political party in future.
Thanks
-----Original Message-----
From: alochona@yahoogroup s.com [mailto: alochona@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf Of innovation_line@ yahoo
Sent: November 30, 2006 11:09 PM
To: alochona@yahoogroup s.com
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Behind Dr. Yunus' Peace Proposal
Dear Alochoks,
It is disappointing to see how they - many so-called intellectuals - reacted to the Professor Yunus' peace proposal. Following is an editorial from New Age (just as an example).
How limited their imagination! No wonder Bangladesh has been in such a condition with the leadership of 2nd or 3rd class leadership!
Whenever our intellectuals talk, half of their intellect is used to make sure that they do not unsettle the system. The main challenge for them is not how to improve the system - rather how to keep the balance so nobody is mad at them. In other words, continue the status quo - or at best - do not allow the situation to worsen.
Let me explain a bit. To those who are saying Dr. Yunus has gone against AL by proposing the peace deal, here is a question. Do you think if AL forms government, things will change for the general people? No way!
So, why Dr. Yunus has to make sure that AL is treated fairly? Doesn't it make sense to position both AL and BNP together and throw both of them away? When I read this proposal, I see that. Don't you? This is consistent with his plan to bring about change in politics with election of competent persons to the parliament. How to better to make both BNP and AL villain together than this proposal of peace deal! Don't you see the reaction of both the party. Have any of them welcomed the proposal? NO.
I am sure many of those so-called intellectuals have their sons and daughters in this mailing list. If you are one of them, please talk to your dads. Tell them - if you do not understand something, that does not mean you have to oppose it! Rather recognize that Dr. Yunus is a man of wisdom (with a mix of innovative reality). Ask his attention to clarify things that you do not understand. But for us - the youth - its all good. No hartal is always good. To take back Bangladesh, hartal is not the only way.
Thanks for your time,
Innovation_line@ Yahoo
http://www.newagebd .com/edit. html
December 01, 2006
Editorial (Shame on New Age!)
Pro-people professor�s anti-people �peace� formula
Previously, in this column, we have welcomed certain observations and suggestions about politics and political parties, set forth by the Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. When he suggested that the caretaker government should focus on setting at least one precedent in each sector for the subsequent elected governments to follow up on, we termed the suggestion realistic, as opposed to utopian. When he articulated his hope that the political parties would reach a consensus on a way out of the prevailing deadlock and his belief that election �is a must�there is no alternative to election in a democracy�, we commended his stance as pro-people, as opposed to populist. We have maintained that he is �one of the few personalities, if not the only one, who is perceived to be above any political controversy and whose statement carries enough weight to be taken into serious consideration�.
Regrettably, the essence of the peace deal, which he proposed at a civic reception by the Dhaka City Corporation on Wednesday for the feuding political parties to agree upon for an end to the prevailing politics of violence, compels us to review our views about him.
The proposal, as his suggestions for an end to the political standoff have so far done, does speak volumes of his aspiration for peace and order and a peaceful way out of the political mess the country is currently in. It is well-intentioned as well. Unfortunately, it is also ambitious, if not unrealistic, and devoid of any political understanding of the situation, if not common sense. Most importantly, the proposal runs counter to a core principle of parliamentary democracy that requires opposition party in the parliament to ensure accountability of the government. His proposal is rather tilted towards the notion of �national government�, championed by a particular quarter isolated from the people at large.
Essentially, therefore, Professor Yunus has done a serious disservice to his image as a level-headed person. What�s worse, he has undermined the faith the people in general have put in him to be the spokesperson of their hopes and aspirations. He is expected to talk with a hopeful voice and to analyse issues with a rational mind. By setting forth the proposal for the political parties to sign an apolitical peace deal, he has virtually advocated for an extra-political course, which would not help flourish multiparty democracy that the people of this country have fought so many times for.
Prof Yunus' New Formula
Proposes a coalition govt, peace deal between parties
Staff Correspondent
Source : http://thedailystar.net/2006/11/30/d6113001011.htm
The first Bangladeshi Nobel laureate, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, urged the battling political parties to sign a peace accord, agree to participate in the coming elections and pledge themselves to form a coalition government whatever the election results.
Under Yunus' draft proposals the party to lose the election would still get one third of the posts in the cabinet. The tenure of the coalition government would be one year and it would be charged with devising a long-term solution to the political crisis.
Dr. Yunus made the proposal at a civic reception held by Dhaka city Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka in honour of his winning the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for 2006.
Yunus said free and fair elections with the participation of all major political parties are the only solution to the existing crisis and urged the 14 party alliance to withdraw the upcoming blockade programme, thereby saving the nation from looming economic and social disaster.
"Please do not destroy the future of the nation through closing down economic and educational activities," Yunus said.
In his seven-point draft for the proposed peace accord, both alliances would commit to participate in the next election, forming a consultative committee to give regular advice to the caretaker government on the conduct of the election.
After the election a coalition government would comprise leaders of both alliances. The majority party in parliament would hold the post of prime minister with a new post of deputy prime minister coming from the other alliance.
The other alliance would also get a third of the posts in the cabinet, irrespective of how many seats it won in parliament, Yunus explained. The cabinet portfolios of the respective alliances would be settled and be attached to the agreement.
The tenure of the interim government would be one year although, if necessary, it could be extended by a further year.
Both alliances would make a commitment to elect a new president and reconstitute the election commission. They would declare the name of the president before the election and attach it to the agreement.
The new government would update the voter list, amend the election rules, and introduce voter identity cards, Yunus said.
Thousands of city dwellers attended the open reception accorded for the first time for any Bangladeshi at the south plaza of the magnificent Songshad Bhaban.
Yunus told the crowd that despite the bitter rivalry of the political alliances he believed an agreement was possible. "If two conflicting groups can sign a peace accord amid fierce battle, why can't two rival political alliances in our country?" he said.
The interim coalition government would also be charged with implementing the policies on which there was a consensus and which were mentioned in their manifestos.
Yunus said these should include declaring upazila elections, taking effective measures to curb corruption, running Chittagong port at full capacity, and ensuring optimum use of information technology. Legal and institutional arrangement for attracting foreign investment should be instituted, Bangladesh Biman reformed and autonomy given to national radio and television. Abnormal price hikes should be controlled and the power crisis solved.
After completing its tasks the interim government would resign and handover power to a caretaker government. The next election would be under the caretaker government and both the parties would be committed to help the next government.
Yunus called upon all the political parties to implement the peace accord and make it permanent in order to ensure the progress and prosperity of the nation.
The Nobel laureate requested both the political parties to avoid conflict and shake hands in an effort to save the nation from complete ruination.
Urging the 14 party alliance to withdraw the blockade programme, Yunus said further blockades would push the country down a dangerous path from where there would be no way out. He said he feared Bangladesh would turn into a country like Somalia.
Dr. Yunus also presented a number of positive features of the country, achieved despite natural disaster and massive corruption. He said that in some respects Bangladesh is well ahead of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
However Yunus said he regretted the appalling situation in the premier port of the country, Chittagong, and the power sector. The Chittagong port is working like an independent body and the government is helpless, he said.
According the reception, city mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka formally handed over a key of the city to the Nobel laureate. Thousands of people also gave a standing ovation to one of the greatest heros of the nation. They clapped and cheered in joy.
The open stage was decorated with colorful balloons and a giant portrait of Dr. Yunus. Dr. Afrozi Yunus, wife of the Nobel laureate, and other relatives were also present at the reception.
Khoka said he hoped that Yunus would play the role of a bridge in solving the basic problems of the nation.
The mayor said that against the backdrop of disagreement and the volatile political situation, the nation wants bold leadership from Yunus.
Khoka also termed Yunus one of the proficient sons of the soil. He also recalled the great history of Dhaka in respect of struggle for independence, the language movement and struggle against colonial rule.
A commemorative note on behalf of the citizens of Dhaka was read out by prominent educationalist and chairman of Bishwa Shahittaya Kendra Prof Abdullah Abu Sayeed.
Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar deputy speaker Akhter Hamid Siddiqui, former ministers Barrister Nazmul Huda, M Morshed Khan, Abdullah Al Noman, government high officials and prominent citizen of the country joined the reception.
The reception was followed by a cultural show rendering patriotic songs and folk dances by child artists.
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