CONFIDENCE AMONG POLITICAL FORCES TO BE BUILT THROUH DIALOGUE

DHAKA, Bangladesh, June 12 (BSS) - Commerce Adviser of Bangladesh
caretaker government Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman today said the government is committed building confidence among all political forces through dialogue to move the country forward.

"We hope that an atmosphere of confidence would firmly be
built up and we will be able to move the country forward by
forging unity through the dialogue," he said at a joint press
briefing after holding talks with the Unity for Political Reforms
(UPR) at the Chief Adviser's Office here.

Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed was present at the
dialogue in which UPR President ASM Abdur Rab led a six-member
delegation of his party.

Following the talks, both the sides termed the meeting as
cordial, open and fruitful and said new important issues came up
for discussion during the dialog.

Dr. Hossain Zillur said the main objective of the government
is to involve all political forces in the talks aiming at forging
unity among all stakeholders.

Replying to a question on the release of detained BNP chief
and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and her two sons, he
said the government is attaching utmost importance to integrating
legal procedures with humanitarian aspects to deal with the
matter.

He said steps were made to release Sheikh Hasina so that she
can go abroad for treatment for a particular period.

Responding to another question whether the government will
sit for dialogue with the Awami League, Dr. Hossain Zillur said
the government is eager to talk with all stakeholders, including
the Awami League.

"We have invited the Awami League for dialogue. Now the
party will decide when it will sit for political talks," he
added.

Giving the salient features of the talks, the adviser said
the UPR leaders put emphasis on forging unity of all political
forces to govern the country, strengthening local government
bodies, ensuring women empowerment and taking steps to make the
existing constitution more effective.

They also discussed new ideas about the existing
administrative system, he added.

Speaking at the briefing, ASM Abdur Rab told journalists
that they have made a proposal to form a "Constitution
Commission" to amend the existing constitution. They also
demanded to hold the next general election by December as per the
roadmap announced by the Election Commission.

Besides, the UPR demanded the trial of the war criminals and
taking necessary steps to ban strike and siege in the name of
politics. It also proposed to form a government of national
consensus for the next two terms.

Law Affaires Adviser AF Hassan Ariff and Communications
Adviser Maj. Gen. Ghulam Quader (retd) were present at the joint
press briefing.

Besides, URP leaders MA Gofran, Shahidullah Faraize, Poet
Nahid Rukhsana, Adv. Mahamudur Rahman and Adbul Matin Hiru were
present at the briefing on behalf of the party.