Judgement on Caretaker Government and Crisis in Politics September 18, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, POLITICS.Tags: Caretaker Government, Supreme Court
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Ex-Supreme Court Chief Justice revealed his full judgement after 16 months of disclosing initial report on the caretaker government. The judgement expressed explicitly against caretaker government.
To come to the judgement, the Supreme Court also taken the opinion of 11 Emirates Curie, 10 of whom advised for the continuation of caretaker government. The High Court also in its judges supported the caretaker government. 4 of the 7 judges were in favour and 3 against the verdict.
The experts and lawyers are expressing their mixed reaction to the judgment. A major complain against the judgment that supreme court tried to solve a political issue in the court. The other complain is that the ex-CJ served the purpose of a political government. A citizen in TV complained that the verdict will divide the nation. An opposition leader predicted the CJ will be condemned in the coming history for the act.
The opposition is pressing for next elections under caretaker government. They straight forward rejected the judgment and announce protest against the judgement. They declared that the election will occur only under caretaker government, they will resist any attempt of election under the political government.
To general public, the general election is a very important event. The people of Bangladesh are politically very conscious people. To cast their their vote freely and fairly is very important. They know that they get only a single chance to reshape their fate after every five years.
They are supposed not to accept any attempt from any quarter that will bleak their chance of free choice.
An ordinary citizen
Extension of Ministry, Refusal of offer and Reality of politics September 15, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, POLITICS.Tags: AL, Hasina, Menon, Tofayel
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Present Government of Sk. Hasina incorporated new 5 ministers and 2 state ministers. 2 of them , Hasanul Hoque Inu and Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir are known but other 5 are virtually unknown. Inu is from from AL coalition partner and the other 5 are from AL itself.
But 2 important leaders of the coalition , TofayeL Ahmed and Rashed Khan Menon refused to accept the offer. They have their explanations. Tofayel, a great student leader in his time and veteran leader of AL said that he is not mentally , socially and politically prepare to accept the offer. He is not blaming anyone or his party. It looks that he has an unexpressed emotion in his heart.
Rased Khan Menon, also a well-known student leader in 60′s and a leader of AL coalition partner was more expressive and said that the offer was not made in proper way and from the proper authority.
The refusal got more coverage in the media than the expansion of ministry. The refusal is of first of its kind in Bangladesh and one termed it as historical.
An ordinary citizen
NB : the cartoon is taken from Daily Star
Sonali Bank Scam- Mismanagement in Banking Sector September 6, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, ECONOMY.Tags: Grameen Bank, Muhith, Sonali Bank
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Hallmark group, a virtually unknown company has been given more than 3.5 crore loan from Sonali Bank. The disbursement raised questions about its legality. It is found that the company doesn’t deserve the loan, had no adequate collateral,the owner had little credibility and still the company got an amount that the bank can’t lend. It is found that not only bank managers, but the board of management are also involved with the scam. It is thought that there is lapse in the monitoring of Bangladesh Bank. The Ministry of Finance also had its lapses.
The Bank Management has dismissed and suspended dozens of its officials and are trying to get back the money. Finance Minster has said that 50% of the money could be collected back.
The incident has created a stir in the media and in the public mind. People are confused seeing Finance Minister preventing Bangladesh Bank dissolving the Board management of Sonali Bank. People become more confused when Finance Minister told that Tk. 4000 crore is not a big amount in comparison to 40000 crore of money of loan transaction! He also asked Media not to make noise over the scam otherwise it will be difficult to collect the remaining amount of money.
The situation is in real contrast to Grameen Bank where an effective and innocent Board Management is taken over by the Government.
The opposition is demanding the resignation of Finance Minister. The Members of Parliament have also criticize loose talks of he Finance Minister.
The scam indicates absolute mismanagement of banking sector and if the Government couldn’t take convincing action against the offenders, then the Government will have to pay the price polically.
An ordinary citizen
Courtesy: The cartoon is from Daily Star.
MBBS admission, New Rule and Students Protest August 14, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, EDUCATION.Tags: MBBS, Medical admission
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The Health Minister Dr. Ruhul Hoque suddenly declared that the MBBS admission will be on the basis of HSC GPA score. Students poured into the streets in thousands and protested against the rule.
Give your vote and put your comment on the issue.
Post Script:
14/8/2012
The students demonstrated their protests for the second consecutive day at Shahid Minar, in front of press club and at Shahbag square. The High Court also asked the government to reply why the decision wouldn’t be reverted.
Grameen Experience and Prospect of PPP in Bangladesh August 14, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, ECONOMY.Tags: Grameen, PPP, Public Private Partnership, Yunus
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I was listening to a talk show in the midnight in one of TV channels. One of the experts of the program was a professor of a university. He was discussing the impact of experience of Grameen on the future of Private Public Partnership’ in Bangladesh.
Grameen Bank was institutionalized through an ordinance in 1983. Through this ordinance, Bangladesh Government has the privilege of having a percentage of share in the capital of Bank and also to appoint the chairman and to have 2 more members in the board of directors. Initially the government had a good share but at present it comes to 3% and the client shares is 97%.
Dr. Muhammad Yunus was its Managing Director since its inception till 2011 until he had to resign on the pressure of the government. During his stay in the helm of bank over the last 30 years, Dr. Yunus had transformed the bank into an internationally acclaimed institution that also brought Nobel Peace Prize Prize not only for him but also for Grameen Bank. Grameen bank has 8.3 million borrowers, 97% of whom are women, about 25 thousand employees, covered above 80,000 villages, distributed more than 11.5 billion US $ (approx. tk 700 billion), recovery rate is 95%.
Government has recently taken a move to change the Grameen Bank ordinance 1983 to empower the government selected-chairman to fix the managing director of his choice ignoring the elected members of the borrower-shareholders of the Grameen bank. Earlier the government also forced Dr. Muhammad Yunus to resign from his of Managing Director against the will of Board of Directors.
The move will create confusion in the minds of the willing partners of PPP of loosing their control on the joint enterprises with the Government.
An ordinary citzen
Grameen Again: A State vs An Individual August 7, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, GOVERNANCE.Tags: Grameen, Hasina, Muhammad Yunus, Yunus
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The Council of Minister of Bangladesh has adopted a proposal on 2nd August 2012 to amend the Grameen Bank Ordinance 1983 to reduce the power of Board of Directors to select the Managing Director of the Bank and to empower the Chairman of the Bank to nominate the same on his own choice.
The proposals also include clauses that question the legality of Dr. Mohammad Yunus to enjoy the financial benefit after
the age of 60 yr that he had served as MD of the Bank. The Council of Ministers also asks the NBR to check the money he earned as wage earner and tax that he had evaded for that.
Dr. Yunus has expressed fear and frustration over the move of the Government as it will destroy Grameen Bank and deprive its women shareholder their due right and ask the countrymen to step forward to save the bank.
Dr. Kamal Hussain, an eminent jurist and an author of Bangladesh Constitution, wonders why Government is out to damage the reputation of Dr. Yunus . Dr. Hussain Zillur Rahman, an economic researcher and an Ex-Adviser to the Caretaker Government and Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam, ex-Finance Adviser to the last caretaker government also criticized the move of the Government.
In an editorial,Daily Star, the English daily cautioned that the amendment will undermine the Grameen Bank and the move will end in politicization.
The US also expressed its worry at Government actions on Grameen Bank and it sees the move as a disregard to the request Hillary Clinton made in her last visit to Bangladesh a few months back.
An ordinary citizen
Post script:
7th Aug 2012
NBR men swoop on 54 Grameen entitis
8th August 2012
NBR finds no wrongdoing in taxes by Grameen or Dr. yunus.
9th Aug 2012
58 leading women leaders ask Government to leave Grameen Bank as it is and not to change the ordinance and deprive the owners
Humayun Ahmed -No More July 22, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, Life, Literature.Tags: Humayun Ahmed
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Humayun Ahmed has died in New York on 19 July at 11-20 BDT. Humayun Ahmed was on treatment for months in USA for colon cancer. He was given extensive chemotherapy and undergone a final operation from which he didn’t recover. Just before his operation, he visited Bangladesh and stayed at his Nuhas Palli for 20 days. During his stay in this remote resort complex, he expressed his hope for life and his dream for more works. He was hopeful of his coming back to normal life, his surgeons gave him that impression.
But he died over the complications of the operation and it was so unexpected for the people of Bangladesh. The news was instantly telecast over the electronic media. The normal schedule of TVs had been changed. I was lucky to listen to a talk show participated by his close associates-Syed Shamsul Hoque, Nasiruddin Yusuf, Jewel Aich and Anisul Hoque in the channel Eye in the midnight after his death. All were in their high emotions for the loss of their close friend and a great litterateur of the country.
I knew Humayun Ahmed in my college days through his first two novels- Nandita Narake and Shankhanil Karagar. That created an instant love for his characters in me and that continued for years. Then we have seen his characters Himu-an anti-logic and Misir Ali-a mysterious inquisitive person. Many readers of his books would identify themselves with the characters.
We also started to love his TV dramas and serials from the very first one. Every episode was very well-knitted, mixed with sorrows and happiness and of course humour. Some of his characters were too popular and the best one was Baker Bhai for whom protests and processions were staged at different parts of the country not to hang him.
We didn’t miss any of his films where his excellence also shines . We enjoyed with our full family and friends- ‘Aguner Parashmoni, Shankhanil karagar, Shamal Chaya.
He is an accomplished artist in all the areas that he has trodden- short story, fiction, travel, biographical writings, historical fictions, drama and films. His newspaper columns on national issues also very touchy and inspiring.
He will be remembered by the young and old alike for long and his creations will last the test of time.
An ordinary citizen
Link:
Humayun Ahmed-Wikipedia
BUET in Crisis July 15, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, EDUCATION.Tags: BUET
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BUET teachers and students are taking oath at Shahid Minar
Actually the movement started 2 years back and the attention of the Government was tried to be drawn to the situation but in vein.
2 months back, when the BUET teachers were in strike, they went back to take classes on the assurance from the Prime Minister. 2 months gone, but the situation worsens. The teachers failed to get the appointment of Prime Minister to discuss their sorrow. They declared to start fresh agitation if their demands are not met. The PM then gave her kind hearing to current VC Nazrul Islam and asked him to continue dialogue with the Syndicate. But the teachers don’t like to sit with the present administration.
A judicial inquiry was proposed that is also rejected by the teachers. They now want to meet with the Prime Minister or the President and their demands come to a single demand – the removal of VC and Pro-VC.
BUET is our pride. It is the best university in the country and has the best ranking among our universities.
The crisis BUET is deepening and if it is not solved in time, it will be an embarrassment for the Government also.
We hope that PM Sk Hasina or the President who is the Chancellor of the University will take proper action immediately and save the university and save the nation.
An ordinary citizen
Human Rights Watch on Bangladesh July 11, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH.Tags: Human Rights Watch
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Human Rights Watch creates a controversy by disclosing its observations on Bangladesh. It said that the information were collected through local human rights organizations.
But Bangladesh Government didn’t welcome the report and many of the ministers including Law Minister blasted the report.
The report said that suspects in the 2009 mutiny by the Bangladesh Rifles border guards (BDR) have been subjected to widespread abuse, torture, and deaths in custody. The mass trials of nearly 6,000 suspects raise serious fair trial concerns.The prosecution teams conducting the mass trials of the alleged mutineers of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) must immediately stop the trials.
The organization also recorded human rights violation by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the elite force of Bangladesh Government to combat terrorism.
HRW also expressed its concern for killing and disappearance of activists. The Bangladesh government should immediately order an independent and impartial investigation into the growing number of cases where opposition members and political activists have vanished without trace, Human Rights Watch said. The most recent episode, on April 17, 2012, involved Elias Ali, secretary of the Sylhet Division of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Human Rights Watch also asked Bangladesh authorities to immediately and impartially investigate the killing of the labor rights activist Aminul Islam,in a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed. Islam, 39, was a trade union organizer with the Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity (BCWS)
HRW added, “The government of Bangladesh took no significant steps to investigate and prosecute torture in custody and extrajudicial killings during 2011 and showed an increasing intolerance for criticism, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2012.The government missed the chance to ensure trials that meet international standards for the country’s independence-era atrocities.”
HRC also urged Bangladesh Government to open borders Myanmar refugees to shelter the sectarian violence but Bangladesh government didn’t accept their appeal.
HRW also touched the killing of Bangladeshi citizens by Indian security guards.
Describing the Human Rights Watch report on rights violation as “totally false, baseless and imaginary,” the government has said the rights body made the allegations as part of an international conspiracy.
Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Chairman of National Human Rights Commission also slates the Human Rights Watch Report as baseless.
Rab also protests the human rights watch and said they would look into the organisations and individuals reported to HRW.
An ordinary citizen
Padma Bridge, World Bank and Bangladesh July 5, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, ECONOMY.Tags: Padma bridge, World Bank
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World Bank has cancelled the Padma Bridge contract of 1.2 b US$.In support of their decision, they said that Bangladesh Government didn’t comply with their request to convincingly investigate the allegation of corruption in the project by the Bangladesh officials.
WB sought the following actions “(i) place all public officials suspected of involvement in the corruption scheme on leave from government employment until the investigation is completed; (ii) appoint a special inquiry team within the ACC to handle the investigation, and (iii) agree to provide full and adequate access to all investigative information to a panel appointed by the World Bank comprised of internationally recognised experts so that the panel can give guidance to the lenders on the progress, adequacy, and fairness of the investigation,”
In in immediate reaction, Finance Minister of Bangladesh Mr. MA Muhith refutes the decision of World Bank and said that it is based on the opinion of past World Bank President Zoellick. Then in the prliament, Muhith gave a statement blaming World Bank not to hid to Bangladesh proposals and blamed World Bank for dishonour Bangladesh people. Muhith says that the credible evidence of World Bank is not acceptable to Bangladesh.
Communication Minister Obaidsul Quader said that Padma bridge will start in set time. He is negotiating with Malaysia to develop an alternative proposal over months.He declared to show surprise that he withdrew later as a slip of tonge.
Noted personalities, different socio-economic forums and political oppositions urged the government to punish the culprits and to renegotiate with World bank to settle the issue.
Prime Minister Sk Hasina said in the Parliament that Bangladesh will build Padma bridge with it’s own fund and criticized World Bank for withdrawing the fund.
People are waiting to see the end of the debate and to see their dream come true.
An ordinary citizen
Post script:
Sajeda Chowdhury said the we can build the bridge by donating our one day expenses.
Suranjit Sen Gupta expressed that 2 hands of 16 crore people are enough to construct the bridge.
Insurers offer their support for construction.
Padma bridge will be constructed with our own funds-PM. PM also declares that the work will be done by this fiscal year.
BNP opposes Padma bridge with own fund
Justice Habibur Rahman on media June 18, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, PERSONALITY.Tags: Justice Habibur Rahman, Media
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Justice Habibur Rahman made some hard observations on the media in his speech on Freedom of Speech’ organised by the Journalism Training and Research Initiative on 5th May at Dhaka.
One of the observations of him is that the newspaper industry is now a big investment sector. Money and trade is a common game there.
‘Journalists and authorities are trying to please each other’.
‘Newspaper become a subservient one’.
‘Freedom of newspaper owners is considered as freedom of the press’.
‘There is limited freedom of press in Bangladesh’.
‘Only a handful of readers can know whose interests the editors or publishers are serving under the cover of this respect.’
‘From loan defaulters and land grabbers to military and non-military intelligence are financing the publication of newspapers’.
‘Investing in newspapers has become lucrative to the rich who often do not hesitate to publish something in print for immediate gains or creating panic and defeating rivals.’
‘Due to lack of security, the door for free journalism is getting closed. In such a situation, journalists will have to look after their own interests’
‘At least for the sake of getting justice, the two unions of journalists will have to be united, and I want to live with this hope.’
’288 journalists became victims in 154 incidents. Of them, 101 suffered repression for publishing reports while 110 were assaulted while covering news events and 47 came under attack by law enforcers.’
‘Journalists were now divided into two factions and that social and political rogues were deriving clear advantage from such a divide’.
[The source is Daily Star]
An ordinary citizen
Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Parliament and Facebook June 15, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, PERSONALITY.Tags: Abdullah Abu Sayeed
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Speaker of the parliament Abdul Hamid Siddique decided to expunge the unacceptable words uttered in the parliament few days back. Quoting a newspaper, an independent member of the parliament raised the issue and two other members of the parliament brushed Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed in a language not usually heard of against a teacher of his rank. On the day House even demanded to bring Abdullah Abu Sayeed to the parliament to seek apology. Neither the Speaker nor the Deputy Speaker was present on the day of occurance.
It was the Deputy Speaker who first said that Parliament did wrong in dishonoring a respected man like Professor Abu Sayeed. TIB protested the incident in the parliament and submitted a record of the address that Abdullah Abu Sayeed gave in its meeting. Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed also denied the allegation.
It was found that some papers distorted his speech and the some members not following the parliamentary proceedings made casual comments.
What he actually said is reported in the Daily Star as ‘The Daily Star has learned what the noted litterateur had actually said at the event of Transparency International Bangladesh. It is not corruption when a thief steals, but when a man who has undertaken to follow ethics, rule and the law indulges in stealing then it becomes corruption, Prof Sayeed said.’ He didn’t remark MPs as thieves.
The comments of the MPs on one of the greatest teachers of our time sparks through the Facebook and drew angry reactions.
Only the prudence of the speakers save the government from further embarrassment.
An ordinary citizen
Professor Muzaffer Ahmed remembered June 14, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, PERSONALITY.Tags: Professor Muzaffar Ahmed, Sujon, TIB
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We have seen Professor Muzaffer Ahmed as a third voice of the country. He was always keen to organise the good citizens and to develop a citizen movement against corruption and for the good governance in Bangladesh.
He was Chairman of Sujan (Citizens for Good Governance) for long and led TIB (Transparency International Bangladesh) for years. He also worked as environmental activist.
He died recently in his seventies but he was alert and expressed his concern till his last days against the misdeeds that are occurring in our surrounding.
People remembered him. But to me the best article that I have read is ‘Tribute to a Departed Comrade’ written by his friend Rehman Sobhan, the leading economist of the country.
An ordinary citizen
Bangladesh Budget 2012-13: Comments and Reactions June 10, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, Budget, ECONOMY.Tags: Bangladesh Budget 2011-12
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Problems aplenty, prospects bleak
Tax,more tax it needs
Surplus electricity from next year
Budget shift into big spending
It is impossible to implement-BNP
Essential hang in international balance
Mission inflation impossible
43% higher goal set for foreign investment
Farm subsidy inadequate
The budget is not big
Black money for investment-Muhith defends budget
Padma bridge-work from next year
Black money for investment
Govt borrowing is the concern
It is political bankruptcy-TIB
Tax hike to hurt export
Boon for millers and bane for farmers
Bangladesh Budget: 2012-13 June 8, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH.1 comment so far
Finance Minister MA Muhith declared Budget for 2012-13. This is the last complete budget for the government. That’s why it is also important for the coming election.
Budget Speech 2011-12- English
Budget Speech- 2012-13 Bangla
Bangladesh Budget-2012-13 In Brief English
Budget in Brief- bangla
Gay marriage and unproductive USA June 7, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH.Tags: Obama, USA
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Barak Obama as a part of campaign for next presidential election in USA has declared his support for gay marriage. Obama’s stand differs from his stand in the last election. His counterpart from the Republican party is not in the same attitude, he deliberately rejected the idea.
Gay rights is getting increasing importance in American politics. But if the gay practice is increased in USA, then it will become comparatively unproductive in comparison to other countries. Then it will be immigrants if not Indians that that will dominate the future of USA.
Amnesty International Report 2012 published May 25, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH.Tags: Amnesty International, Amnesty International Report 2012
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Amnesty International published its Report 2012.
The Report has a country report on Bangladesh
State Minister for Home Shamsul Hoque Tuku rejected the report in an instant reaction as baseless.
An ordinary citizen
Arrest of 33 opposition leaders-Government is in hard line May 21, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, JUDICIARY.Tags: AL, BNP
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33 opposition leaders Prime Minister’s office and hurling bomb into the secretariat. The leaders first went into hiding to avoid arrest but later entered into High Court premises to appeal for bail, they had to dodge the security cordon surrounding the high court, the story gave rise to funny stories. The heavy police presence was challenged by the Bar Council Association and the lawyers warned of starting agitation against the presence. The petition was moved but the judges were given divided opinion and the case was sent to the Chief Judge who refer the case to a third judge who ordered the accused to surrender to the lower court and asked the police not to arrest them in the meantime. The accused reported to the lower court with their lawyers and pleaded for the bail but the judge refused the appeal.
Many observers speculate that the sending of so many opposition leaders to the jail is an unexpected incident. This will increase the conflict between the two camps and deteriorate the political situation.
An ordinary citizen
Hillary on Yunus and reaction of Muhith May 10, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH, POLITICS.Tags: AMA Muhith, Hillary Clinton, Muhammad Yunus
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Hillary on her visit expressed her respect for Dr. Mohammad Yunus in a congregation of youth on 5th May 2012 and expressed concern for any government interfere in the activities of Grameen.
Video
AMA Muhit, Finance Minister of Government of Bangladesh in a reaction said that the comment of Hillary on Grameen Bank is unwarranted. He told that Grameen Bank is a Government establishment and Government, not this government but a Bangladesh government founded this bank decades ago and he is one of the founders of bank. Government contributed to the growth of Grameen not the foreign powers.
He expressed that what Dr. Yunus is telling about Grameen is totally rubbish that Grameen Bank is at stake. He asked to see last one year under government and said that the bank ran smoothly during the period.
video
An ordinary citizen
News in print:
US sides with Grameen Bank-Daily Star
Hillary’s remark on Grameen bank undue-Daily Star
Postscript:
10/5/2012
Debate continues
Video
News: Asharaf, Acting General Secretary of ruling AL ‘Sniffs at Yunus‘
12/5/2012
Minister’s comment draws flaks
We are in a fools’ paradise
Hillary in Bangladesh May 8, 2012
Posted by bdoza in BANGLADESH.Tags: Hillary Clinton
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Hillary came to Bangladesh in a visit on 4th May,2012. She met in her 2 days’ visit with our Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Opposition Leader, Dr.Mohammad Yunus, BRAC Chairman Fazle Hussain Abed and young leaders and Citizens Group.
She touched many issues with the government including present political state in Bangladesh and urged for continuation of democratic exercise and establishment of political dialogue between the government and opposition.
She expressed her respect for Dr. Mohammad Yunus and she expressed her concern for government interference in Grameen Bank activities.
In a meeting with the representatives of the young generation, she exchanged views on different issues including immigration, young leadership, micro-credit etc.
But no definite agreement was signed during the visit. It is thought that USA has interest in the energy sector of Bangladesh and deep sea security in Bay of Bengal.
An ordinary citizen
Bangladesh
