Bangladesh ex-PMs urged to end feud

BANGLADESH: A top attorney who has worked for both of Bangladesh’s former prime ministers has urged the rivals to put aside their enmity, after they won court battles and look set to remain major players in the country’s politics.

“Enough is enough. Bury your hatchets and join forces to make good to the country and the people,” Rafiqul Haque, ex-premier Begum Khaleda Zia’s chief defence lawyer said, after the High Court granted her bail in her corruption case.

“Rise against corruption and fraud, sit together and share efforts to serve the country and its citizens the best you can,” said Haque, who has also defended former prime minister Sheikh Hasina against charges of graft and abuse of power.

Khaleda ruled Bangladesh for two five-year terms and Hasina for one over the 15 years to October 2006.

But they did not talk to each other for most of that time and feuds between their parties were a key factor in the violence that ultimately led to an army-backed interim government taking power in early 2007.

The trials of the women had dragged on inconclusively without a judgment while pressure to get them out of detention increased, pressure to which the government ultimately yielded on the view their cooperation was needed to insure credible and free elections planned for this December.

Haque, in comments quoted by TV channels and newspapers on Wednesday, said the two former prime ministers should waste no time in meeting, with elections nearing and a new elected government needing to take charge in January 2009.

DHAKA, Wednesday, Reuters