Hartal, political confrontation should be matter of past: German Envoy

UNB, Dhaka

Reforms promoting intra-party democracy, accountability of party finances, combating corruption and a truly independent Anti-Corruption Commission could constitute 'positive political signals' to attract German investment in Bangladesh, German Ambassador Frank Meyke said here on Sunday.
"There is immense potential for German investment provided that there are right political signals in Bangladesh politics," he said at the Meet-the-Reporters program at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
Ambassador Meyke, who witnessed turbulence in Bangladesh politics before the state of emergency as well as restoration of democracy in his three and a half years' tenure, said: "We, Germany and European Union, welcomed the emergency rules to avert a dangerous situation in this country."
Responding to questions on the role of the army-backed caretaker government that ruled the country for two years, he said before the promulgation of the emergency his country closely monitored the situation and finally the European Union suspended its election observation mission on January 11, 2007 as the ground situation marked by bloody political violence on the street was not conductive to holding free and fair elections.
"When emergency came we welcomed the neutral role of the armed forces to overcome the dangerous situation. What could be the better solution than the emergency at that time?" he told a correspondent.
Meyke said they tried to encourage the caretaker government to announce a roadmap for free and fair election for the restoration of a democratically elected government.
He said Germany supported the reform measures undertaken by the caretaker government, and strengthening of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Commission gave a positive signal to the international community.
He said emergency was imposed owing to internal dynamics but "look at the results at the end of day."
Asked about the arrest of two top leaders-Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia-and the caretaker's move to banish them from politics, the German ambassador noted that it is an internal matter of the country but political stability of Bangladesh is a matter of international concern.
Meyke said the 27-member European Union is closely monitoring the current developments in the country after the restoration of an elected government. He welcomed the holding of the council by ruling Awami League, invitation to BNP to the council and BNP's plan to hold its council towards the end of this year as positive developments.
"Politics of hartal and political confrontation should be a matter of the past. We want to see strong government and cooperation among parties in parliament," the Ambassador noted.