If Dhaka makes request UN will cooperate

On secretary general's high level panel chief Francese Vendrel has said the question of trial of war criminals came up during his talks with Sheikh Hasina.
"Hasina has mentioned the issue," Vendrel said after his meeting with the Awami League chief, who has steered her party to a resounding election victory, yesterday.
He pointed out that his delegation was not entrusted with this responsibility but said UN would be prepared to extend cooperation if the new government makes a request.
It would be up to the new government to take up the matter with the UN secretary general and make clear what they want the UN to do, he said, adding "we will look into it with every care."
Vendrel said unlike in the past, minority voters could cast their votes in this election without intimidation.
He said non-party caretaker government system is unique and it could be copied by other countries.
Two other members on the high level panel were Bhojraj Pokharel, chief election commissioner of Nepal, and Ms Aracelly Santana, former deputy director of the UN electoral assistance division.
Agricultural prices, economy will be major challenges for new government: UN team
Created On: 02/01/2009 06:45 PM
Dhaka, Jan 2 (UNB) - Chief of the UN secretary general's high level panel Francesc Vendrel Friday said major challenge before the new government in Bangladesh will be the issues of agricultural prices and of economy in the wake of global economic meltdown.
"This, of course, is not totally in the hands of the Bangladesh government and it will depend on the overall economic situation. At the moment, world is facing economic downturn. It is going to be extremely difficult. But I am sure they are aware of the challenges," he told a press briefing at Sonargaon Hotel.
Vendrel, who had a long meeting earlier with Prime
Minister-in-waiting Sheikh Hasina, said they discussed various issues including how to make the next parliament effective, trial of war criminals and Bangladesh-UN cooperation through UNDP.
The UN panel chief said he found Sheikh Hasina willing to reaching out the opposition by offering the post of the Deputy Speaker and some chairmanships of the parliamentary standing committees.
"She looks forward to working with BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in the next parliament," he said, adding despite frustration and disappointment in BNP, there is ample scope for the opposition to play their constructive role in influencing the debate and making their voice heard in parliament.
Vendrel, former UN Assistant Secretary General, does not consider that a parliament with small opposition against a huge majority cannot be effective. He said the number of the opposition in present German parliament is small while in 1993 the Canadian House of Commons had only two opposition MPs.
However, he suggested cooperation between winners and losers, saying there should not be any feeling that may lead to conflicts. "We encourage Awami League to extend their hands of friendship to the opposition," Vendrel said.
Replying to a question, he said election is one way of achieving democracy. There are other things like stable law and order, independence of the judiciary, ant-corruption commission and the human rights commission, which are required to strengthen democracy.
Regarding BNP's complaints about irregularities in certain constituencies, Vendrel said he would encourage the Election Commission to pay attention to this. He, however, said even if the complaints are valid these would not impact on the overall election results.
Asked about the post-election violence, he said it is important that the law enforcers ensure peace and tranquility.
Asked if the issue of trying war criminals came up during the meeting with Hasina, Vendrel said Sheikh Hasina had mentioned the issue. It would be up to the new government to take up the matter with the UN secretary general and make clear what they want the UN to do, he said, adding "we will look into it with very care."
The 3-member UN high level panel was dispatched twice by UN secretary general Ban ki-Moon to assess the pre-election, polling day and the post-election situation. Like other international observer missions, they said the election was conducted in credible, free and fair manner and the turnout was high.
Vedrel said unlike in the past, minority voters could cast their votes in this election without intimidation.
He said non-party caretaker government system is unique and it could be copied by other countries.
Two other members on the high level panel were Bhojraj Pokharel, chief election commissioner of Nepal, and Ms Aracelly Santana, former deputy director of the UN electoral assistance division.