Himu's Window

  http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C04%5C18%5Cstory_18-4-2007_pg4_19   Begums shown the door as Bangladesh seeks a fresh start   By Helen Rowe The interim government continues to enjoy broad support from voters, who, tired of bickering and corrupt politicians, appear to be willing to give their new leaders time to carry out reforms BANGLADESH sought a new start Tuesday as its two main political leaders - blamed for the nation's descent into chaos and corruption - face exile abroad, analysts said. Dubbed the "battling begums," outgoing prime minister Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina Wajed come from rival political dynasties that have dominated the political landscape since Bangladesh won independence in 1971. But now Zia is expected to follow Sheikh Hasina into exile. Sources close to the ex-premier accused the new military-backed government of using her younger son Arafat Rahman to "blackmail" her into leaving. "This is th...

http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/climate_change/article2458848.ece Bangladesh: A nation in fear of drowning The once lush island of Aralia is disappearing under rising waters as flooding becomes more frequent, temperatures increase and disease kills four people a month By Ann McFerran Published: 18 April 2007 Shamola Begum will never forget the way her son cried in the last days of his life. Nine-year-old Masuk had always been a sickly child, but before he died he'd pleaded: "Mother, I need food." But Shamola often only had a little rice to feed him; nothing more. Shamola, 30, lives with her family on a shrinking silt island called Aralia in north-east Bangladesh. When her eldest son began vomiting violently, Shamola took him to the only pharmacist on Aralia. The pharmacist knew that Shamola had little money for food, let alone for medical care, so he took mother and child to the nearest hospital, a three-hour boat ride away. Halfway through the journey, Masuk...

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/04/18/d70418060179.htm   State of emergency cannot remain for long Butenis tells Rajshahi chamber leaders US Ambassador in Dhaka Patricia A Butenis yesterday told Rajshahi businessmen that the state of emergency was necessary to tackle the chaotic political situations but it cannot remain for long. She was speaking at a meeting with the leaders of the business community at Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (RCCI). "I think it (state of emergency) is not viable and democracy should be the ultimate destination", Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Director Kabirur R Khan quoted the US envoy as saying while seeking the opinions of the businessmen. Bangladesh seems to be back on track and there should be a time frame for holding elections, she added. "We told her that we are happy with the current government activities that are helping speed up economic progress", said RCCI President Hasen Al...

www.ekhoni-shomoy.net   Web site launched to receive complaints about corruption   A web site has been launched to receive complaints against corruption. Any victim can lodge complaints against specific allegations through the web site, www.ekhoni-shomoy.net .    The victims can also lodge complaints by sending e-mails to addresses earlier published in print and electronic media, said a release issued by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/16/opinion/edbang.php   IHT Opinion   The generals of Bangladesh tighten their grip on power   Published: April 16, 2007   Promoting democracy, especially in Islamic countries, is supposed to be a major goal of President George W. Bush's foreign policy. But his administration has raised little protest as Bangladesh - until January the world's fifth most populous democracy - has been transformed into its second most populous military dictatorship. Washington is being dangerously shortsighted. Democracy can be messy, and in Bangladesh it was extraordinarily so. But military rule offers no answers to the grievances that fuel Islamic radicalism, as can be seen from nearby Pakistan (the world's most populous military dictatorship). By stifling authentically popular mainstream parties and their leaders, military regimes often magnify the political influence of religious extremists. The democratic eclipse in Banglade...

http://www.indiaenews.com/america/20070416/47538.htm NYT flays Bush over Bangladesh developments From correspondents in Washington, United States, 02:31 PM IST The Bush administration has come under media attack for the first time for 'ignoring' the emergence of military rule in Bangladesh. Suggesting that the mass arrests of political activists in Bangladesh and the hounding of its two top politicians could lead to a creeping authoritarianism, the New York Times said military rules offers no answers to grievances that can fuel Islamic radicalism. Pakistan, it said, was a clear example of this. Commenting on the situation in Bangladesh, which is now virtually under army rule, the newspaper faults the Bush administration for raising 'little protest'. 'Washington is being dangerously short-sighted. Democracy can be messy, and in Bangladesh it was extraordinarily so. But military rule offers no answers to the grievances that fuel Islamic radicalism, as...

Police arrested Godagari municipal ward commissioner Salauddin Biswas from in front of municipal office on Saturday afternoon.   Salauddin was placed before a court yesterday with a petition for his detention.   The court sent him to jail and will hear on the petition today.   The police said, Salauddin was recently listed as the godfather of smugglers and terrorists following his activities during last several years.   He was arrested a few months back, but was released on bail following political pressures, said the sources.   "For his role, Godagari was a safe heaven for heroin smugglers", said a police official at Godagari police station.     Salauddin was accused in two cases of murdering human-hauler peddler Sohel Rana and misappropriating CI sheets of government relief fund.   He was also engaged in different anti-state activities and police assault, said the police informing that over 10 general diaries were l...