DHAKA, 22 May 2008 — Former Bangladesh Premier and Awami League President Hasina Wajed hinted yesterday that her party might boycott talks with the government as she called upon the party men to launch a movement for the restoration of democracy.
“The country is passing through a critical period. Many conspiracies are being hatched. There is no alternative but to launch a movement to restore democracy,” Hasina said talking to her lawyers in the courtroom yesterday.
Hasina, who is being tried for corruption, called for consolidating the unity of the party.
Meanwhile, the head of Bangladesh’s army-backed interim government said yesterday that a final round of talks with political parties would steer the nation to democracy through elections in December.
“We hope the talks will yield a good result for all and with a credible election we will be able to return to democracy,” Fakhruddin Ahmed told reporters.
The much-awaited talks begin today with three smaller parties meeting government advisers.
“All parties will participate in turns and the talks will help us hold a free, fair and credible election,” Hossain Zillur Rahman, an adviser to the interim government, said.
In a televised speech on May 12, Fakhruddin reiterated that his government would hold a parliamentary election in December. Former Central Bank Governor Fakhruddin took charges in January 2007, following deadly political violence, and canceled a controversial election due in the same month. The Awami League had earlier said it would announce later whether to participate in the talks.
A breakaway faction of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the other main party led by another detained former prime minister, Khaleda Zia, said it would join the talks.
