A good start to the President's initiative

We are heartened by the successful holding of the first in the series of dialogues that the President has initiated with the political parties, on the appointment of a new Election Commission. Reportedly, the President's dialogue with the BNP chairperson and some of the other stalwarts of the BNP on the matter went very well. There is no doubt that his amiable disposition and long political experience, and his overall good standing with all political groups as well as the public, has a lot to do with such a positive development. The BNP too, has expressed its satisfaction over the discussion. This is the kind of amicable ambience that we want where dialogue is used to resolve intractable issues. 

In this context it must be remembered that the president's authority is not just legal but, as it carries the weight of the flag, it is also moral. We echo the message from the PM that the opposition must follow the directives as given by the President. But for that process to take place unhindered, the President must be able to be guided by his conscience; and we are sure that he will always have the bigger picture in mind. The moral weight of the Head of State which the president is, cannot be quantified or articulated enough. The moral authority of his office is as significant as he chooses to use it. 

It appears that both the PM and Khaleda Zia have reposed their trust in the President. It is therefore for him to suggest ways to resolve a seemingly difficult issue that would be acceptable to all.