Dhaka– UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has encouraged Bangladesh’s
two major political parties – Awami League and BNP – to reach a
mutually agreed consensus through ‘constructive dialogue’ to hold a
‘non-violent’ election in Bangladesh with the participation of all
parties.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Dr AK
Abdul Momen shared the content of the letter sent to the Prime
Minister as the media outlets came up with different versions on the
UN Chief’s letter to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP
Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
“Basically, he (UN chief) encouraged a constructive dialogue to
create a conducive environment for holding a non-violent election in
Bangladesh,” Dr Momen told UNB over phone on Saturday.
Responding to a question, he said the UN Chief focused on
violence-free election. “He likes Bangladesh very much and has
appreciated the socioeconomic progress made by Bangladesh and he
expects a peaceful election in Bangladesh.”
The UN chief also mentioned that a similar letter has been written to
the BNP Chairperson and encouraged her and her party to reach a
decision through ‘constructive’ dialogue, Dr Momen said.
He also said the UN wants a credible election in Bangladesh which
will have to be credible in the eyes of Bangladeshi people. “The
essence of his letter is a request for holding constructive and
meaningful dialogue.”
Responding to a question, Dr Momen said, “We immediately sent the
letter through fax and email.”
Amid the escalation of violence and absence of political compromise
over the polls-time government, UN Assistant Secretary-General for
Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco arrives here on December 6
to convey UN chief’s message to both the top leaders to encourage them
to break the standoff.
The UN envoy will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, opposition
leader Khaleda Zia and other political party chiefs and civil society
representatives during his visit to help ensure free, fair and
credible polls in Bangladesh.
He will report back to the UN chief on the outcome of his Bangladesh
visit ahead of the election, said an official source.
Taranco visited Bangladesh from May 10 to 13 at the request of the
Secretary-General of the United Nations.
During his stay in Dhaka, he met the Prime Minister, the BNP
Chairperson, the Speaker of Parliament, the Foreign Minister, the
Chief Election Commissioner, leaders of major political parties, and
the representatives of civil society and the media.
As part of his visit, Taranco conveyed to all interlocutors a strong
message from the Secretary-General about the urgent need for more
meaningful and constructive political dialogue to create conducive
conditions for the successful holding of the election.
During his last visit, the UN envoy stressed the need for an early
solution to the issue of a polls-time government through dialogue to
ensure a free, fair and peaceful national election reminding political
parties that ‘time is running out’.
Earlier, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and urged them
to hold talks for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing political
crisis. – unb
