Hasina, Khaleda agree to sit, talk crisis

Finally, former prime ministers and arch-rivals Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia yesterday agreed to sit together to solve the crises confronting the country.
However, while Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina wants an agenda for the discussions, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia says the talks should not be confined to specific subjects.
The issue of the much-desired meeting between the two resurfaced when AL spokesman Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday afternoon said their party chief is ready to sit with her counterpart in BNP if the government sets an agenda.
He was briefing reporters after a meeting between the AL president and ambassadors of the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden.
"I'm always ready for dialogue, but that ought to be based on an agenda. Problems won't be solved if we just meet and have a cup of tea," Ashraful quoted Hasina as telling the European envoys who met Khaleda the night before.
Later at night, BNP spokesman Nazrul Islam Khan said their chairperson had heard about Sheikh Hasina's readiness to sit with her. “And she wants to let the countrymen know through the media that she too is ready for talks.”
He was speaking to reporters at Khaleda's Gulshan office.
“There's no need for a specific agenda when the talks will be between two former prime ministers and heads of the top two political parties in the country. She thinks discussions won't be as fruitful as desired if they are subject-specific.”
Also joint secretary general of BNP, Khan said, “They [Khaleda and Hasina] will sit for the welfare of this nation. They will discuss the present and future of the country.”
He quoted Khaleda as saying, “We can talk about the present situation and the upcoming election, and how parliament and the government should function more effectively after the polls.”
However, focus of the dialogue should be the overall situation.
About a government initiative to have the two ladies at the negotiating table, he said they do not think it is necessary. However, they will not oppose either if the government moves to that end.
“Any of the two leaders can also take an initiative,” observed the BNP leader.
Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia have been invited to the Armed Forces Day function at Senakunja on November 21.
BRIEFING AT SUDHA SADAN
At the press briefing at Hasina's Sudha Sadan residence in Dhanmondi, Syed Ashraf said the ambassadors did not propose any dialogue between the two leaders.
"They rather wanted to know what we [AL] would do if such a proposal comes along. Our leader said she would decide on the proposal in consultation with her party colleagues."
Dutch Ambassador Bea ten Tusscher told reporters, "We continue to say that consensus among the parties is necessary…it's up to the top two leaders when and how they want to meet. But it's always important that the government and opposition work together."
Ashraf, also AL acting general secretary, said the prevailing political and economic situation, AL's preparations for December 18, and relations between Bangladesh and the countries the three envoys represent were among the issues discussed.
“They agreed with us that there's no alternative to holding the election on schedule,” he continued.
Replying to another query, Ashraf said, "We'll finalise our nominations soon. People are eager to cast their votes on December 18. We hope the election will be held on time."
The future of the country--social stability, rule of law, economic development--depends on the election and the government to come, he said.
About election environment, Ashraf said they told the envoys that the state of emergency must be withdrawn to ensure a free, fair and credible election with participation of all political parties.
"We believe it'll be a very tough task to conduct the polls in a free and fair manner without lifting the emergency curbs," said the AL spokesman.
The Dutch envoy said, "We've said we want to see peaceful and successful transition to parliamentary government and we want all to work towards a more congenial atmosphere and parliamentary culture."
She said they talked about the importance of polls participation of all parties.
"We want the political parties to work towards a new and prosperous Bangladesh and build on some of the efforts made by the caretaker government and continue the reforms," Tusscher added.
She said a culture of consensus politics should be in place to overcome the challenges that Bangladesh faces.
Ambassador Britt Hagström of Sweden and Itala Occhi of Italy were present at the time.