Voicebox

“Everyone in camp knew if you wanted to work out your frustration you show up at the PUC (persons under control) tent. In a way it was sport.”
A Sergeant
from US army's elite 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Battalion 504th parachute division. Accounts of abuse continue at the Forward Operating Base Mercury near Fallujh, central Iraq.

“The government does not want to pay heed to the electoral reforms proposal, sensing that if implemented, it will not be able to come to power by rigging votes.”
SHEIKH HASINA
Leader of the Opposition and Awami League (AL) President
while talking to Awami Jubo League publicity secretaries from different districts at the party's Dhanmondi office.

“I feel sorry for the 1971 atrocities in Bangladesh.”
DR JAVED IQBAL
Former chief justice of Pakistan
speaking in a three-day seminar styled Islam: Religion of peace, Progress and Harmony; Bangladesh: Model of a Moderate Muslim Nation. He also went on to say, "It was the failure of Pakistani leadership in 1971 to halt the atrocity."

“I switched on a bomb and abandoned it in front of Khilkhet Rajuk Trade Centre six minutes before schedule.”
ABDUR RAHMAN MASUD
A second year HSC student of Tamirul Millat Madrasa as Gazipur
confessing that he was part of the 17th August nation wide bomb blasts that took place. He blasted a bomb himself and told the authorities that he and several other militants took army training at a mosque in Narsingdi early this year.

“Hasina is like my younger sister, where will I be without her.”
MUHAMMAD HANIF
Chairman of the Awami League
stressing his allegiance to the party leader after his appeal to change the party principle of "secularism" to "freedom of religion" has caused an uproar.

QUOTATIONS ARE TAKEN FROM DIFFERENT LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPERS. .
Compiled by: AHMEDE HUSSAIN. Quotes can be sent to <[email protected]>
Cartoon : MUSTAFA ZAMAN

Copyright (R) thedailystar.net 2005