Date:10/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/10/stories/2006111006231400.htm

International

Be impartial, Iajuddin tells armed forces

Haroon Habib

DHAKA: After 12 days of growing controversy over Iajuddin Ahmed's neutrality, the President-cum non-party caretaker government chief has called upon the armed forces for cooperation in holding the next election.

The President said, "As members of the law enforcing agencies, neutral role of the armed forces is very important in the national election."

Mr. Iajuddin, also Supreme Commander of the armed forces, was addressing senior officials of the three services in the Dhaka cantonment on Wednesday.

Appreciation

The army chief Lt. Gen. Moeen U Ahmed, air force chief Air Vice-Marshal Fakhrul Azam, and navy chief Rear Admiral Mohammad Hasan Ali Khan were present.

He also appreciated the armed forces for upholding their "image, patience and tolerance" in maintaining peace during the government transitional period.

Mr. Iajuddin on Thursday directed the secretaries of Ministries to function neutrally. He refuted allegations of partisanship on the part of some key officials in the President's house, appointed during the previous regime.

The removal of some officials was the core demand of major political parties, media and civil society.

At a meeting of the officials, the President termed the criticism as "like obstructing the state duties."

Mr. Iajuddin said that the change in the governance, the system had virtually turned "presidential." Stunned by this comment, key politicians urged him to discharge his duties as the head of a non-party caretaker government and not like the head in a presidential system.

Violation

Awami League president Hasina said, " This is another constitutional violation he committed ...He is a President under a parliamentary system and becomes head of a non-party caretaker administration.... not the President under presidential system. He should be aware of this constitutionality."

Against this backdrop, the Council of Advisers met unofficially, minus the President-cum-Chief Adviser, plunging the already-beleaguered interim government into a fresh controversy.

While the former Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, termed it a "conspiracy," many advisers termed it an informal one and advised the political leaders to observe restraint.

Ms. Khaleda also advised the interim government "not to poke its nose" in the functioning of the Election Commission.