Bangladesh committed to democracy: Carter

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA, AUG 4.The former U.S. President, Mr. Jimmy Carter today expressed optimism that democracy had a bright future in Bangladesh. ``The future of democracy in Bangladesh is very bright'' he told a news conference before winding up a three-day pre- election observation tour here.

The former U.S. President said Bangladesh was ``just for continuation and improvement of democracy'', a process which would be further strengthened with the holding of the forthcoming elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner. He said the people of Bangladesh were committed to democracy as exemplified in the elections of 1991 and 1996 which were ``honest and fair'' and accepted by all parties. The institution of caretaker government was a demonstration of that commitment, he observed. But Mr. Carter was quick to add that the threat of violence and the inability of parties to work together after the elections were the biggest problems facing Bangladesh. He expressed the hope that if the solemn pledges made by political parties during interactions with him were followed, the situation would improve.

Mr. Carter, who arrived here on Thursday heading a five-member delegation from the U.S.-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Carter Centre to observe the pre-election situation, said the party leaders had said they would accept the poll results, renounce violence and hartals and ensure a meaningful role for the opposition in the next parliament. ``We prepared the commitments and they endorsed those with some moderation''.

Earlier, Mr. Carter gave a brief summary of the outcome of his meeting with the Chief Adviser, Mr. Justice Latifur Rahman of the caretaker government and politicians and read out the salient features of the recommendation made by his delegation to make the coming elections beneficial for democracy in Bangladesh. He said the NDI and the Carter Centre would continue to monitor the election process and extend their assistance to advance Bangladesh's democratic development. Mr. Carter, who expressed satisfaction over the pre-poll situation, said his delegation felt that both legal and illegal arms should be confiscated before the elections. ``I have no doubt about the holding of the elections in a fair and peaceful manner, he said.'' Mr. Carter felt that if needed, the caretaker government could deploy the armed forces to recover illegal arms.

Describing the caretaker government as a unique feature of Bangladesh, the former U.S. President said countries having similar situations could opt for this mechanism to hold fair polls.

Replying to a question, Mr. Carter said neither wealth nor full literacy were guarantees for a flourishing democracy and cited that despite being ``cent per cent literate there is no democracy in Cuba'' . ``I don't think there is democracy in China, '' he observed and added that intolerance certainly impeded the growth of democracy in many places, including Bangladesh.

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Section  : International
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