UN for urgent talks
Oscar Fernández-Taranco in talks with Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali at the latter's office at Secretariat this morning. Photo: TV grab
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for an urgent dialogue to reach an acceptable formula to hold an “inclusive, non-violent and credible election”.
Visiting UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernández-Taranco conveyed the UN chief’s message during separate meetings with the foreign minister and foreign secretary today, meeting sources said.
“Time is very limited,” Taranco quoted the UN secretary general as saying.
During the meetings, Taranco made it clear that there should be a dialogue to reach a consensus for holding an acceptable general election.
After meeting with the UN official, Syed Ashraful Islam, general secretary of ruling Awami League, expressed his hope that the UN initiatives to hold an inclusive election came successful.
Taranco, who is leading a five-member high-profile political mission, and Neal Walker, UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka, first met Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque at his Secretariat office.
They had a 45-minute discussion from 10:00am.
Later, they held another 45-minute meeting with the foreign minister at his office.
The UN official later met a seven-member group of Awami League leaders at Sonargaon Hotel.
The AL leaders include Syed Ashraful Islam, Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Mahbubul Alam Hanif and Gowher Rizvi and AL international affairs secretary Col Faruk Khan and former diplomat Shaheed Reza.
Terming the meeting as an initial one, Ashraf said there will be more meetings.
"We need some time and you (media) also have to keep patience," he said seeking cooperation from the media for holding an acceptable election.
The UN wants continuation of democratic process in Bangladesh and the AL also wants so, he said, insisting that the 10th general election would be held on January 5 as scheduled.
Prior to the meeting with the AL leaders, the UN assistant secretary general met with US Ambassador in Bangladesh Dan W Mozena at the hotel and had a discussion for 30 minutes from 1:00pm.
Earlier, German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Albrecht Conze hosted a breakfast at her residence, German House, in hour of Taraco.
British High Commissioner in Bangladesh Robert Winnington Gibson, Canadian High Commissioner Heather Cruden and ambassadors to the European Union and China William Hanna and Li Jun China were present at the breakfast.
Taranco arrived in Dhaka last night on a four-day visit to hold talks with political leaders to figure out a mutually acceptable formula to holding an “inclusive, non-violent and credible” election.
Diplomatic circle considers the visit of Taranco highly significant as it is apparently the last-ditch diplomatic effort to encourage all interlocutors for dialogues to hold the 10th parliamentary polls.
During his visit, Taranco is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Gono Bhaban at 4:00pm and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia at 7:00pm today at her Gulshan home.
He will also meet Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad tomorrow.
The UN high-up also scheduled to meet the representatives of the civil society and the media.
Taranco had earlier visited Dhaka in December last year and May this year to work out a solution to the same political crisis “at the request” of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
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