Date:10/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/10/stories/2007021001201600.htm

International

No intention to capture power: Gen. Moeen

Haroon Habib

DHAKA: Bangladesh's army chief Lt. Gen. Moeen U Ahmed has said the military has no intention of capturing power or run the Government, but is assisting the caretaker Government to put the country back on the right track.

A report of a private news agency said Gen. Moeen made harsh comments on the trend of politics, the mindset of the politicians and the governance at a meeting with representatives of the civil administration, political leaders, journalists and representatives of the Government and non-government agencies on Thursday.

Honest politicians

In his first statement since the proclamation of the state of emergency on January 11 and subsequent installation of the caretaker Government, led by Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, the army chief said Bangladesh needed efficient and honest politicians as "our politicians do not understand anything beyond their self-interest."