south asia

Revival of Cold War scenario will endanger world peace
by

Revival of Cold War scenario will endanger world peace

Published in the Weekly Holiday on April 18, 2018

The Second Cold War began with the Ukraine crisis. During 1989 and 1990, the Berlin Wall came down; borders opened, and free elections ousted Communist regimes everywhere in eastern Europe. In late 1991 the Soviet Union itself dissolved into its component republics. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union occurred on December 26, 1991 cold war with western countries came to an end. But aggressive policy adopted by former KGB officer turned politician President Vladimir Putin of Russian Federation, to expand territories to the former Soviet Union he has been isolated gradually from western countries. His first attempt was to interfere in Georgia in 2008 in spite of siding by the United States with Georgia while Russia recognized break away South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the pretext of saving Russians.

Putin also annexed Crimea Peninsula of Ukraine in March of 2014 without firing a shot violating international agreement. These are glaring example indeed in violation of agreements by Russian Federation. In spite of strong protest from western countries President Vladimir Putin did not return Crimea Peninsula to Ukraine which caused him to expel from G-8 industrial group. Relations between United States and Russia further deteriorated during Bush presidency when US recognized breakaway province Kosovo of Serbia on 18 February of 2008 but Kremlin was against recognition of Kosovo.

Instead, President Vladimir Putin has shown his muscle encouraging Russian origin Ukraine to declare autonomous eastern part of Ukraine as separate entity bordering with Russian Federation by assisting them with weapons and dispatching soldiers surreptitiously around the border. As a result, Russia’s membership with NATO stands suspended while some countries around Russian Federation included in NATO instead of protest from Russian Federation. Russia considers expansion of NATO in former Eastern Europe is a violation of western commitment. Russia was in fact incensed when Poland, Hungry, the Czech Republic and Baltic states were joined in NATO in mid 1990.

In spite of adverse trend immediate past President Barak Obama had initiated reset relations with Russian Federation following his meeting with former President of Russian Federation Medvedev in July of 2009 in Kremlin but the invasion of Ukraine and interference in civil war in Syria has spoiled the goodwill shown by President Barack Obama toward Russian Federation.

As of now, President Putin did not suffer serious consequences, but reportedly use of Russian made nerve gas known as Novichok against a double agent of Russia Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skirpal in London on 4 March of 2018 has caused serious repercussion around the world. Skirpal was arrested in Russia as a double agent in 2004 but settled in London following spy swap in 2010. Kremlin, however, denied the allegation. As a first step Prime Minister of Great Britain Theresa May has expelled 23 Russian diplomats while United States expelled 60 diplomats plus imposed fresh sanctions on 24 Russian firms and individuals to show solidarity with ally of UK. As of now 150 Russian diplomats plus several intelligence officers of Russia were expelled. Being a member of NATO Turkey has refused to follow the footprint of NATO member countries in expelling Russian diplomats. And as many as 23 British diplomats from Russia were expelled as tit for tat tactics.

(Read the Holiday dated March 30, 2018: International page; “Mass expulsion of Russian diplomats from U.S., EU, Canada” by Bill Van Auken).

Similarly, 60 diplomats of the United States faced similar tit for tat tactics by Kremlin. Kremlin also closed down US consulate in St. Petersburg in response to US decision of close down Russian consulate at Seattle. It may be noted that Seattle Russian consulate is near to US major nuclear submarine base and Russian intelligence activities have been noted. A state department spokesperson Heather Nauert is reported to have said on 29 March that we reserve the right to respond because Russia should not be acting like a victim and calling Kremlin’s “move regrettable and unwarranted.”

Having seen the action by Donald Trump administration against Russian Federation it is amazing to note that President Trump himself has made cautious reaction by saying, “the Skripal attack was a very sad situation and said,” it looks like Russians were behind it.” It remains a mystery to notice that President Donald Trump never criticized Vladimir Putin in spite of meddling in presidential election of the United States in 2016 while President Trump appears to have congratulated Vladimir Putin, Russian autocrat on his reelections on 18 March,2018 in spite of objection by his National Security adviser.

There was a popular uprising against Vladimir Putin throughout Russian Federation of his corruption and nepotism before presidential election, apart from jailing opposition leader Alexe Navalny and 15 others in January of this year. Protest rallies in one hundred cities of Russia took place in January. Some journalist and activists are reportedly lost their lives as a result of protests against the administration of Vladimir Putin. Many columnists in the United States reportedly described Putin’s phony election.

Although it is diplomatic successful maneuver by the British administration of Prime Minister Theresa May, but the expulsion of so many Russian diplomats by thirty countries Russia is increasingly isolated. The present scenario against Russian Federation does not speak well for global stability and peace.

by

Weakness in Political System of Bangladesh

There is no denying the fact that road to democracy is an arduous task in the third world countries, particularly in South Asia. Democracy is synonymous with good governance and rule of law. Democracy generally means “government of the people, by the people and for the people” where people irrespective of caste, creed and colour have access to government and all citizens enjoy freedom and liberties. The government is accountable to people and transparent in governing the country.

As of now democracy has flourished in India and government in India is elected by the people and the people are governed according to rule of the game since partition of the British India in 1947. Possibly India had faced difficult times during emergency rule by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. State of emergency was imposed in India on 25 June, 1975 until 1977 during which the Prime Minister ruled by decree. Fundamental rights were suspended, political leaders arrested and a heavy censorship was imposed on the news media. That was black chapter in history of India. Here too guard of the political parties are changed following general election to the Parliament. The exception is the Indian National Congress whose leadership is shared by Nehru’s dynasty. Presently Indian National Congress is dominated by wife of Rajiv Gandhi, son of Indira Gandhi while Vice-Presidentship lies with Rahul Gandhi, son of Rajiv Gandhi. That means leadership goes to Rahul Gandhi ultimately. It means Nehru dynasty remains in the Party.

On the other hand, Pakistan has had turbulent history in democracy. Practically democracy remained absent in Pakistan for last 60 years until Benazir Bhutto got elected in Pakistan as Prime Minister through popular votes in 1988 who served two non-consecutive terms in 1988 to 1990 and 1993 to 1996. Major part of Pakistan’s history was under Martial law of the military regimes. Only recently transition to administration by elected representatives has been peaceful indeed. Incidentally, there has been no change in the hierarchy of the political parties in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif has been the chief of Muslim League (Nawaz) for long time while chief of People’s Party has been maintaining dynasty.

In Sri Lanka, a neighbour of India, democracy remained on the dock under the leadership of President Rajapaksa who ruled the country for the last ten years ruthlessly. Practically, he was running dynasty, to say the least. Political guard in Sri Lanka has been changed during presidential election in January, 2015. Maithripala Sirisena won the election defeating Rajapaksha ending dynastic rule in Sri Lanka. Newly elected President declared to bring Sri Lanka under Parliamentary system and President would remain titular head. It is hoped that democracy will prevail in Sri Lanka in future.

In Maldives, which is located in South Asia and member of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, has been involved in dirty politics since the departure of authoritarian president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom after three decades of ruling. Abdullah Yameen, half brother of Abdul Gayoom, took power as President through conspiracy by ousting President Mohamed Nasheed. Now Gasim Ibrahim, resort tycoon and leader of the Jumhooree party and Mohamed Nazim, defence Minister until last month were subjected to harassment by the regime of Abdullah Yameen while Chief Justice of the Supreme court Ahmed Faiz Hussain was removed on charge of incompetence. Now immediate past President Mohamed Nasheed has been sentenced to 13 years in prison on charge of terrorism. The word “terrorism” has become political weapon in South Asia to crush political opponent.

Landlocked between India and China, two giants in Asia, Nepal has been passing through a critical history following the abolition of Kingship of King Gyanendra through United movement of 2006. Since dissolving the constitution assembly on 28 June, 2012 because of its failure to produce constitution of Nepal the country has been plunged in darkness of history. However, successful general elections on November, 2013, which was conducted by caretaker government headed by Chief Justice of Nepal, Khil Raj Regmi as interim Prime Minister, could possibly usher in democratic trend in Nepal. Titular head of Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav appointed Chief Justice as chief of caretaker government. Nepal congress and Communist party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist party along with Maoist formed a coalition government with Sushil Koirala as Prime Minister on 11 February, 2014.

Incidentally, no political parties in Bangladesh follow democratic norms in their own organizations. In 2008, leaders of Bangladesh Nationalist Party have declared Begum Khaled Zia as life long chair of the Party. By all means the decision by the members of the standing committee of BNP negates basic principles of democracy. The decision did not reflect the opinion of the general members of the party if any as such.

It is inherent weakness in the political system in Bangladesh. There is no need to bring any resolution either by the standing committee of BNP or presidium of Awami League to declare lifelong chief of the Party. In the existing system the top leaders of the parties will continue to preside over the destiny of the party until death. There is no provision to groom the next chief of the Party from among the dedicated and sincere activists. Therefore, chiefs of political parties will remain chiefs until they are incapacitated. None of the political parties hold election to elect Chairperson, president or Ameer and other members of the executive committee through secret ballot. Therefore, selection system itself is undemocratic. Neither Secretary-General of Awami League nor acting Secretary-General of Bangladesh Nationalist Party is member of the grassroots level of the Party. Secretary-General of Awami League has been spending most of the time in London who possibly never travel to district or upazila to organise the party. As of now there is no regular Secretary-General of BNP since the departure of M. A. Mannan. Acting Secretary-General of BNP had been under arrest. Only recently he has been granted bail.

At least on three counts Bangladesh Nationalist Party was severely criticised. First, selection of National Executive Council and standing committee were left with newly elected chairperson: Khaleda Zia instead of electing them through voting. Secondly, electing Tareq Rahman as Senior Vice-Chairman of the party which means designed him to become head of the party in the near future. That means he is being groomed as Zia dynasty. Thirdly, deletion from party’s charter of the provision against war criminals barred from joining BNP and contest election was severely under attack.

Another political party: Jatiya Party of Gen. Hussein Mohammad Ershad held its council convention of the Party in 2009.
Boycotting of the session of Parliament is undemocratic indeed which Bangladesh Nationalist Party did in the recent session of ninth Parliament. By boycotting sessions of the Parliament BNP betrayed the faith of voters in them. Both Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party were oath bound to President Jimmy Carter. Both parties violated the commitment to President Jimmy Carter. President Jimmy Carter visited Bangladesh to promote democracy in Bangladesh and held talks with Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party in August, 2001. Both the leaders have committed to Jimmy Carter to renounce the use of hartals, violence and intimidation. In his statement following general election on first October, 2001 Jimmy Carter was  on record by saying “political leaders, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also pledged not to boycott the next Parliament and to help ensure that the opposition plays a meaningful role in the new legislature, no matter which party formed the government. I have called on Khaleda Zia to respect fully the pre-electoral agreements to ensure a full and legitimate role for the opposition under the new government, especially in Parliament and with respect to the role of Speaker.”

General election took place on first October, 2001 under a neutral caretaker government which was declared by international observer as peaceful, free and fair election. Despite commitment to President Jimmy Carter Sheikh Hasina of Awami League boycotted the Parliament and made things undesirable in political arena. The same trend was followed by BNP leader Khaleda Zia during the ninth Parliament. Tit for tat game is not appreciable in political arena which means interest of the country does not receive priority by the political parties.

Having seen chaos in the countries in South Asia it is suggested that reform in political parties have become a priority issue. There is no alternative to reform. All political parties must reform themselves to be truly democratic. Chief of the political parties should not remain at the hierarchy for more than four years. When such person is nominated as the Prime Minister or President he or she should relinquish party post immediately to govern the country neutrally on non-party basis. In this case, Prime Minister and President of the country should be accountable to the people he or she represents, not to a political party he or she represents. Election to the party cadres should be held through ballot. A four or five member election commission should be constituted from retired or elderly personalities of the political parties to conduct election who will be barred from contesting any post.

Independence of judiciary is sine qua non to ensure justice and rule of law in the country.  Judiciary should be separated from executive branch. Article 22 of the Constitution spells out about separation of the judiciary from the administration, but no government in Bangladesh since independence of the country did so. The country needs a good government which follows rule of law and governs the country in a democratic manner.

Without reforming political parties, people cannot expect a good and honest government. Therefore, leaders of all political parties should resolve to restore confidence of the people in the parties. At the same time people should be educated about democracy, civil societies should be strengthened, and law enforcement agencies should maintain neutrality and human rights should be ensured. These are the basic requirement to strengthen democracy.  If the leaders do not behave in a democratic manner, the people of the country will themselves bring about drastic changes for their survival.  This writer concludes by quoting from President Woodrow Wilson, scholar-President of America, “Society, it must always be remembered, is vastly bigger and more important than its instrument, Government. Government should serve Society, by no means rule or dominate it. Government should not be made an end in itself; it is a means only, a means to be freely adapted to advance the best interests of the social organism. The State exists for the sake of Society, not Society for the sake of the State.” State machinery of Bangladesh government should take note of this to conduct its business.