Quader urges opposition not to complain to foreigners
Communications and Railways Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday urged the opposition party not to tarnish the country's image by complaining to “foreigners” against the government.
“If the government behaves in an undemocratic way, criticise it in a constructive manner. If you complain to foreigners, then we will place counter-complaints. This will surely tarnish the nation's image,” he said.
Obaidul was addressing as chief guest a seminar, “Sheikh Hasina in restoration of democracy, development and struggle for peace”, in the capital's Jatiya Press Club.
Durnirbar Bangladesh, a social organisation, organised the seminar marking May 7, the day during the caretaker government in 2007 when Sheikh Hasina returned home from abroad.
“We will have disputes…it is the beauty of democracy. We can debate…we can argue through political speeches. But we should not undermine the nation.
“If the state's reputation is undermined, you will get foreign masters instead of foreign friends. Then you will have to serve as slaves,” he said.
On the recent visits of a number of high-profile foreign delegates, Quader said, “This was made possible because Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made Bangladesh attractive to foreigners.”
He also stressed the need for political understanding between the government and opposition parties to maintain a sound political relation and atmosphere.
He strongly criticised the main opposition BNP for taking back its greetings over the victory in a case over the maritime boundary dispute with Myanmar.
He expressed his firm hope to start construction of the Padma bridge within the next nine months.
On the dispute over the World Bank funding of the bridge, he said, “We want to use the fund in other projects. We do not want World Bank to take back the money.”
He said an elected government should stay in power for at least two consecutive terms to implement its different development activities and accelerate democracy.
Addressing as the special guest, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs AB Tajul Islam said the trial of some of the top war crimes suspects will be completed by this year.
“If we want to establish the rule of law, the war criminals must be tried,” he said.
State Minister for Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman and Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique also spoke at the seminar, chaired by Durnirbar Bangladesh Convener Masud Parvez.
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