West welcomes partial lifting of ban on Bangladesh politics

Dhaka, Sep 10 (UNI) The United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union welcomed the army-backed caretaker government's decision on partial lifting the ban on political activities in Bangladesh as part of a process of restoration of democracy.

In separate statements today, they also hailed the government's announcement of possibility of holding the stalled elections earlier than December 2008.

The announcements were made by caretaker government's chief advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed during a nationwide address yesterday evening.

The US Embassy in Dhaka termed the move an excellent sign of progress on the goals outlined in the election roadmap.

'' We commend the government for taking this positive step to allow political parties to contribute to the reform process,'' it said in a statement.

The American mission said, '' It is now vital that all groups work together to forge progress through unhindered, constructive dialogue.'' Hailing the government decision on lifting embargo on indoor politics, the British High Commission said it is an important step towards restoration of full democratic process in the country.

'' We support the restoration of full democratic processes and believe that lifting the ban on indoor political activities is an important step,'' said a press statement of the High Commission.

The European Union Heads of Mission said full participation of political parties is indispensable to the electoral and political reform process and hoped that this would constitute an important step towards the restoration of civil and political rights as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, barring former ruling BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) central office, other political party offices opened today after a break of six months following the Chief Advisor's announcement.

Awami League led by arrested former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Jamaat-e-Ilsami Bangladesh led by former Industry Minister Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, Jatiya Party of deposed President H M Ershad, pro-left Workers Party, JSD and CPB opened their offices and their leaders and workers turned up at their respective party offices.

However, police kept the BNP central office locked and did not allow party's secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossian to enter the office on the pretext that police permission was not sought.

Condemning the government's action, Delwar questioned why he would require permission to do his work in his party office since he is not holding any meeting. He alleged that the police violated the law and the government did not keep its words.

Awami League acting general secretary Mukul Bose demanded release of party president Sheikh Hasina arrested on July 16 in an extortion case.

BNP chairperson and ex-PM Khaleda Zia was also arrested on September 3 on corruption charges.

Awami League and BNP leaders demanded lifting of the emergency and release of Hasina and Khaleda to create conditions for election.

The state of emergency was imposed on January 11 to contain political violence over general elections slated for January 22 this year.

UNI