The recent calls from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and foreign diplomats to top Bangladesh leaders for talks are the expression of their worries over what is happening in Bangladesh’s political landscape, said an international relations expert. “It’s very normal.
Since our political parties couldn’t reach a consensus on polls system, the UN chief has called for a peaceful dialogue. As a member country of the UN, it’s an expression of worries over Bangladesh,” Prof Imtiaz Ahmed told UNB over phone on Saturday. He said the UN has an additional worry for Bangladesh considering what might happen if the problems are not resolved through holding peaceful and participatory polls.
Responding to a question on the Chinese envoy’s recent call for a face-to-face dialogue, Prof Imtiaz said China also wants a peaceful solution to Bangladesh’s political problem. “They (China) understand that their trade and investment will be hurt if there’s a prolonged political instability in Bangladesh,” the Dhaka University Prof of the International Relations Department said.
He also said not only the USA, China and the UN but also other countries, at this age of globalisation, also worried though they are not voicing their views publicly. “There’s nothing wrong. This is our fault we can’t resolve our problems.”
“However I’m hopeful there’ll be a solution at one stage. Or else, it’s obvious that it’ll take a dangerous turn,” Prof Imtiaz said. Former caretaker government adviser Dr Akbar Ali Khan said there has been no positive outcome of such calls or pressure so far from the international community. “We didn’t see any outcome in the past. If there’s any solution in the future, we’ll be happy,” Khan told UNB on Saturday.
He said there is no alternative to a political understanding and negotiation. And the political leaders will have to find the ways for solution since they have created the problem. “If the politicians fail to reach a negotiation, the country will head towards confrontations,” said the economist.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador Dan W Mozena who has long been vocal for dialogue between two parties told reporters at the Dhaka University, “Dialogue is the only way ahead.” Dhaka University teacher Dr Syed Anwar Hossain told the media that the process of solving political crisis by politicians through bowing down to foreign pressure proves political bankruptcy of the country’s politicians.
He hoped that there will be a solution to the deepening political problem following calls from the UN chief to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP chief Khaleda Zia. On Friday, Ban Ki-moon called the Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson and urged them to hold talks for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing political crisis.
He also said the UN wants to see a free, fair and credible election participated by all parties and that it was closely monitoring the political situation in Bangladesh. On Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador Li Jun called for a face-to-face dialogue between top leaders of Bangladesh to find ways for a credible, transparent and participatory election.
“I think, it’ll be a great help if two top party leaders talk to each other face to face. In order to achieve this face-to-face dialogue, I hope both parties can express their goodwill to each other,” the Chinese envoy told a press conference on the day. -UNB
