Gen Moeen says he has no desire to become president
Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday dismissed speculations about his becoming president, saying that he has no such intentions.
"Many questions are lurking in many people's minds, but time will give answers to all those questions… I have no desire to become president," he told reporters at Bangladesh High Commission.
General Moeen, who arrived in London on Monday en route to the USA, said there is no scope for considering army as a separate entity. The army is part of government. Like general people, the army also wants clean democracy in Bangladesh.
He said appointment of consultants is being considered to make the caretaker government more dynamic. Constitutional provisions are being examined in this regard.
Narrating the background of declaration of the state of emergency and installation of a new caretaker government, the chief of army staff said the country was heading for a civil war in the wake of violent political activities, absence of law and order and distrust about voter list.
General Moeen said priority of the incumbent government is to restore democracy through free and fair elections and transfer of power.
He observed that law and order is under full control of the caretaker government that enjoys full public support.
He mentioned that the problem-ridden Chittagong seaport is now running in a disciplined way. The Anti-Corruption Commission has been made effective and already 36 people have been jailed on charges of corruption.
In reply to a question, the army chief said those arrested and jailed were "corrupt". Throwing a challenge, he posed a question: "Can anyone find any honest person among those arrested and jailed?"
General Moeen said the much-awaited separation of the judiciary from the executive will come into effect from November 1, which will be a milestone in the nation's forward march.
About smuggled-out money, he informed the London press that the caretaker government has repatriated $129 million siphoned off the country in the past. He said another $72 million is being brought back. He expressed the hope that it would be possible to repatriate $ 240 million more.
About the recent floods, the army chief said relief supplies were properly distributed among the affected people and no one had to die of starvation.
General Moeen further said electricity production has increased from 2800MW to 4,000MW that helped reduce the load shedding.
He said planning in the past about electricity was done to sell out "Khamba" (electric pole). Khamba now sells at much lower price than before.
The army chief sought cooperation from expatriate Bangladeshis in turning the country's population into manpower.
He said the runway at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet is being expanded to facilitate the landing of Boeing 707 aircraft.
General Moeen assured that he would personally look into the murder of Suruj Mia at Zia International Airport.
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