US envoy criticises Bangladesh's interim govt

DHAKA, Dec 17: Bangladesh's caretaker government has failed to be neutral ahead of January elections, the US ambassador said today, echoing criticism of a multi-party alliance that has demanded electoral reforms.

The government headed by President Iajuddin Ahmed took over in October after Begum Khaleda Zia ended her five-year tenure as prime minister.

But Khaleda's arch-rival Sheikh Hasina, who leads the Awami League and is head of a 14-party alliance, has threatened to boycott the January 23 poll unless Iajuddin proves his neutrality by implementing reforms to ensure a free and fair election.

''Unfortunately, the caretaker government has not always conducted itself neutrally, and the nation has suffered as a result,'' Ambassador Patricia A Butenis said at a seminar in Dhaka. ''We hope that is behind us now.'' She said the essence of a ''caretaker government is impartiality''.

At least 44 people have been killed and hundreds injured in clashes between rival activists across the country since late October, police said.

Butenis's comments coincided with concern expressed by the European Union over the deployment of the Bangladesh army. Iajuddin ordered the army out of barracks on December 9 to assist the civilian administration in the volatile run-up to the coming polls, provoking opposition by some of his advisers. Four out of 10 advisers resigned in protest, forcing the president to quickly find replacements.

''The recent deployment ... is a matter of serious concern for us,'' EU Vice-President Gerard Onesta said in a letter to Iajuddin.

''There is concern that the deployment of armed forces will undermine progress made in the past towards strengthening the democratic institution,'' Onesta said.

''We fear that further use of the armed forces on a national level may be inconsistent with Bangladesh's participation in international peace operations.'' Bangladesh provides the largest number of troops to UN peace missions around the world.

The president said he was confident the January election would be free, fair and impartial, and that he hoped all political parties would participate in it.

''We have taken all necessary measures towards this end ...

to strengthen democracy,'' Iajuddin told British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury who met him today.

The south Asian country on Sunday decided to reinforce security at churches for Christmas and countrywide for the New Year celebrations, the home (interior) ministry said.

Churches in Bangladesh were targeted by unidentified extremists in the past, and fears of attacks have risen as the mainly Muslim country faces violence ahead of the January vote.

Hasina's demands include removal of key officials at the Election Commission whom Hasina and her allies accuse of bias towards Khaleda and her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Hasina's alliance is to hold a ''grand rally'' in the capital Dhaka on Monday, followed by a similar showdown by the BNP-led alliance on Tuesday, Police said they would reinforce security in the city for both rallies, which they feared could turn violent.

REUTERS