Dhaka – Visiting UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs
Oscar Fernández Taranco on Saturday had a marathon meeting with
opposition leader Khaleda Zia and her party leaders apparently
discussing the country’s latest political situation arising out of the
January-5 national election.
“You (journalists) know that the UN secretary general has recently
written to the Prime Minister and the opposition leader. We discussed
various issues in the meeting details in light of the letter,” BNP
vice-chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told reporters after the
meeting.
Shamsher Mobin said the process of discussion is going on and there
will be further discussion within a day or two.
In reply to a question, the diplomat-turned politician said, “The
discussion is proceeding taking all issues into consideration, but we
won’t specify any issue now. Well brief you only after completing o
fthe whole process.”
Earlier, Taranco arrived at Khaleda’s Gulshan residence leading a
six-member delegation and had a two-hour long meeting from 7 pm with
the opposition leaders.
Taranco also had a one-to-one meeting with Khaleda Zia.
UN Bangladesh resident coordinator Neal Walker, BNP standing committee
member Dr Moyeen Khan, BNP chairperson’s adviser Shabihuddin Ahmad,
BNP vice-chairman Shamser Mobin Chowdhury, among others, attended the
meeting.
Earlier, Taranco started his Bangladesh mission by holding meetings
with Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and Foreign Minister AH Mahmud
Ali.
Later, An Awami League delegation led by its general secretary Syed
Ashraful Islam met Taranco at Sonargaon Hotel in the city.
Later, the UN envoy had a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at
her official residence Ganobhaban.
Taranco arrived here on Friday evening amid the country’s murky
political situation that has cast a shadow on its January-5 general
election.
His visit is aimed at encouraging ‘dialogue and conditions’ conducive
to parliamentary elections scheduled for January 5, said a statement
issued by UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka, Neal Walker.
During his stay here, the UN envoy will also meet Chief Election
Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, civil society and the
international community to help ensure free, fair and credible polls
in Bangladesh.
Taranco will leave Dhaka on December 10 and report back to the UN
chief on the outcome of his Bangladesh visit ahead of the election,
said an official source.
Last week, Ban Ki-moon wrote to Bangladesh’s two top leaders — Sheikh
Hasina and Khaleda Zia — and encouraged them to reach a mutually
agreed consensus through ‘constructive dialogue’ to hold a
‘non-violent’ election in Bangladesh with the participation of all
parties. – UNB
