Rev. Falwell Passes Away

Television evangelist Reverend Jerry Falwell died yesterday, apparently of a heart attack. As leader of the Moral Majority, he made evangelicals a political force to be reckoned with; their influence culminated in the election of George W. Bush, a born-again Christian, for President.

Falwell was also vicious, sanctimonious, and a hypocrite, yet he moved with a certainty only a fanatic could possess. Rev. Falwell considered 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina to be acts of divine retribution, a punishment for America’s wicked ways (for being pro-gay and pro-abortion, to name a few of its sins). I wish I had nice things to say about Rev. Falwell but I don’t.

Rich Bangladeshis Go Overseas For Medical Reasons

Why must Bangladeshi politicians go overseas for medical treatment? In The Daily Star today, it's been reported that Khaleda Zia is going to Singapore in order to seek medical treatment. Others, especially Awami League politicians, like to go to India. And many more head for Europe, Canada, or the United States. This is not just true for politicos, but many prominent businessmen and industrialists also go overseas to have their tonsils checked, or their faces filled with botox, or whatever they need to get done.

Honestly, what are the rich and famous trying to say about Bangladesh’s healthcare system? Forget the poor, they’ve been condemned with substandard service (often no service) for years. This is nothing new. What I like to know: why isn’t there quality healthcare for those who can afford it?

MQM: Terrorists Or Heroes?

Karachi streets are again under a cloud of violence, and there is nothing spontaneous about it. The violence is geared toward supporters of embattled Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, who was in Karachi to give a speech but never made it out of the airport.

The violence was perpetrated by MQM, political party/criminal gang, who control the streets of Karachi and, not to mention, the government of Sindh. They also support President/Dictator For Life Pervez Musharraf, who, according to some, is giving the MQM its marching orders to disrupt Chief Justice Chaudhry’s stay in Karachi as much as possible. KO has details about the MQM and its aloof leader, Altaf Hussain.

Obviously, this is a blatantly transparent attempt to fob the blame for the violence on Chief Justice Chaudhry, whose only crime is his slavish devotion to constitutional norms, which President Musharraf is currently obstructing with aplomb. How soon will President Musharraf declare a state of emergency and shut Karachi (and Pakistan) down? Pakistani Rangers, paramilitary units stationed in Karachi since the mid-1990s, have already been given shoot-to-kill orders. Is martial law next?

Praful Kisses Vanaik's Ass

In the latest issue of Frontline magazine, Praful Bidwai has written a review on a collection of essays edited by Achin Vanaik. This is not unusual in itself unless you realize that both Bidwai and Vanaik are connected at the hip: both are fellows at the Transnational Institute, a think tank devoted to democracy, peace, and environmentalism (actually, it is a beehive of Marxist claptrap); they have co-edited a book together, South Asia on a Short Fuse: Nuclear Politics and the Future of Global Disarmament; and both are former editors at The Times of India. They're probably good friends too. Who really knows. Nevertheless, it seems unethical for Bidwai to be reviewing Vanaik’s book, which he gives unqualified praise.

Send Him To Cuba?

Is Luis Posada Carriles a terrorist? From the evidence gleaned here, he sure looks like one. Should the United States extradite him to either Cuba or Venezuela for the bombing of a Cubana jetliner in 1976? No. Those countries possess no sane justice system that we know of, just kangaroo courts. Carriles would never get a fair trial.

Nice Knowing Ya, Jacques!

Columnist Anne Applebaum has written the definitive column highlighting the career—mostly a series of bonehead moves—of outgoing French President Jacques Chirac, who has made it his mission to be smarmy and arrogant, whenever and wherever possible. He is a detestable character and I, for one, am glad to see him go.

Bangladesh: Hasina And Khaleda Can Now Stay

Rezwan is reporting that the Bangladesh government had a change of heart, and will now allow Sheik Hasina to return to Bangladesh and let Khaleda Zia remain in the country. What a stunning reversal—and a humiliating one at that! It seems the caretaker government is very sensitive to international criticism. Rezwan quotes an official from the U.S. Department of State:

"If the caretaker government does not take right decisions, there is a real possibility that this can threaten Bangladesh democracy and nobody wants to see that."

It’s all official diplospeak, of course, but what the good man is saying is this: “we have publicly supported you, so don’t make us look like fools by acting like idiots.” I think the caretaker government got the message, clearly and loudly.

Reading Update

Not of sound mind at the moment (I’m currently out of work), I thought I would share what I’m currently reading to pass the time:

• Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey by V.S. Naipaul: I’m a big fan of Naipaul’s non-fiction and travel writings, which are insightful and beautifully written, and this book is no exception. Naipaul, utilizing his talent for observation, and writing with brimming detail, travels through the Islamic world—Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia—trying to make sense of Islam and its adherents.
  


• Jasmine: A Novel by Bharati Mukherjee: I’ve just started to read this novel about an Indian immigrant reinventing herself in America, so I don’t have too much to say about it other than the fact that it is eloquently written.
  


• Master of Rain: A Novel About Shanghai by Tom Bradby: I love crime novels with a literary bent, which this novel definitely is. Set in 1920’s Shanghai, the city is under effective control of European powers, while echoes of communist revolution emanate from the countryside. It’s a story about an idealistic young police officer named Field, who tries to solve the murder of a Russian prostitute, committed by a ruthless Chinese gangster, but is thwarted at every turn by vested interests.
  


• The Best American Crime Writing: 2003 Edition edited by Otto Penzler and Thomas H. Cook: True crime is just as interesting as crime fiction, I think. And this collection is the embodiment of the best crime writing from America’s newspapers and magazines in the year 2003. Since many of the articles were published after 9/11, this edition focuses on terrorism.

For a complete list of books I’ve read, or planning to read, in 2007, please check out my Vox blog.

Pakistan: Religion On Campus

The Nation and I do not share much in common, but we do share distaste for religious extremism, especially as it impacts educational institutions in the developing world. The Nation has a couple of videos highlighting this problem at two universities in Pakistan—where religious extremism affects almost every strata of society. One university is secular and liberal; the other is controlled by religious fanatics. Please check it out.

Khaled Going Into Exile. Hasina To Follow?

It’s official. Khaleda Zia and her family are going into exile, possibly in the next few days. Zia will go to Saudi Arabia for one month to perform umrah. Where she goes after that is anybody’s guess. Chances are Zia will remain in Saudi Arabia, which has given sanctuary to such autocratic leaders like Pakistan’s Nawaz Sharif and Uganda’s Idi Amin.

It is an inglorious end for someone who was a Prime Minister just a few months ago; and now she is forced to leave in disgrace. It says a lot that no one is sad to see her go, not even her own party members. A testament, I believe, that Zia’s days were numbered to begin with.

But what about Sheik Hasina? Does she await the same fate as her bitter rival? She’s already in the United States where she has family, forced there by the caretaker government. She wanted to cut her visit short when she was charged with extortion, but the caretaker government was not keen on her returning so soon, so Hasina decided to stay till the end of the month. Whether she will be allowed to return then is another question. The caretaker government does not want her to return at all.

So there you have it: both leaders of once powerful political parties neutralized, and not a bullet was fired. And not a peep out of the people. They, too, are sick and tired of their shenanigans and corruption, and want to see something better. In a way, it is a watershed moment in Bangladesh’s history. The people are no longer willing to tolerate bad behavior. Things are getting better economically. And the people will be damned if they’re going to let politicians muck it up.

Jamaat Get Hit Too

I guess I spoke too soon! Today, the top ten leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, along with the leadership of the Awami League, have been charged with murder. The Worker’s Party has filed a police report claiming that several of its workers were killed as a result of Jamaat and AL hooliganism.

What merit these charges have are anybody’s guess, but no doubt the caretaker government will use it as an excuse to neutralize the leadership of both Jamaat and the Awami League. The caretaker government’s plan is abundantly clear: they want to eviscerate all the major political parties. Will it work? I strongly believe Jamaat to be more robust than either Awami League or BNP, because the former doesn’t rely on personality cults and dynastic politics while the latter do.

Khaleda Zia Under House Arrest

Rezwan is reporting that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has been put under house arrest. She’s not even allowed to meet fellow BNP members, only servants can go in and out of her residence.

The caretaker government has moved against her son, who is currently in jail; and yesterday, Sheik Hasina is being sued for extortion, and will probably be placed under house arrest as well. Is the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami next? They’ve been strangely quiet since elections have been canceled. Known to be loud, bellicose and obnoxious, not a peep out of them, like they know something we don’t.

I’m getting deeply suspicious of the caretaker government’s motives: are they in cahoots with Jamaat? We already have an army general proclaiming Islam will play a key role in governance. What does this mean? I know I sound conspiratorial, but my fears will not be allayed until this caretaker government comes clean on what their goals for Bangladesh are until the next election, which is tentatively 18 months—and a lifetime—away.

Sheik Hasina Accused Of Corruption

Sheik Hasina, the shrill leader of the Awami League, has, unsurprisingly, been accused of extortion. The timing of this announcement is curious given the fact that Sheik Hasina is presently in the United States, and, thus, not really in a position to protest her innocence. It seems the caretaker government is pulling a Benzair Bhutto on Hasina. Bhutto, if you remember, was essentially driven into exile by her opponents after being convicted of corruption, and in exile she remains.

In attempt to neutralize the two parties, the caretaker government has decided to do away with its leadership. Tariq Rehman is also being charged with extortion, and now Hasina can be added to the list. What a curious series of events? The military, the real power behind the government, has stated that one of its cherished goals is to rid Bangladesh of the dynastic, cult-of-personality politics that has corrupted the political system. Will it succeed?

Why You Can't Call Bangladesh Anymore

This must be the reason why I can’t call Bangladesh, and when I can, the rates are much higher. From The Daily Star:

The government is likely to impose financial penalties and regulatory punishment on mobile phone companies for their involvement in illegal VoIP operation which has deprived the nation of huge tax and revenue for several years, telecoms ministry sources said.

Beginning from January, the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has busted several dozen illegal VoIP operations and some of these surprisingly lead directly or indirectly to GrameenPhone (GP), Aktel and Banglalink. Further investigations are going on against other phone companies.

The government has already filed cases against the GP, Aktel and Banglalink for illegal VoIP operation.

These operations have deprived the national exchequer of an estimated annual overseas call revenue and tax amounting to over Tk 6,000 crore. Sources in mobile phone companies however said not that payment of all this money was evaded as they paid taxes for all the calls.

Sources in the companies also blame Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for its deliberate delay in issuing VoIP licences and Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) for not installing adequate International Trunk Exchange (ITX) to handle growing foreign calls over the years.

They point out that while phone companies were indeed involved in the illegal operation, the fact is there had been huge unmet overseas call demand that needed to be addressed on the one hand, and on the other, the authorities' suspicious dilly-dallying with VoIP licensing or ITX facilities pushed the companies to the illegal business.

The question is: were the mobile phone companies intentionally trying to cheat the Bangladesh government out of tax revenue, or were they just trying to meet customer demand and the government was indifferent to their needs?

Believing in the markets as I do, I will side with the mobile phone companies. The BTTB is notoriously inept as far as meeting the country’s insatiable appetite for telecom facilities is concerned. People much prefer to use mobile phones rather than the landlines provided and maintained by BTTB for the obvious reasons: price, customer service, quality, etc. Like many loss-making, state-owned entities—Biman Bangladesh, for example—it should be shuttered and the government’s role in this thriving industry reduced to that of a regulatory body.

Elections Postponed in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has announced there will be no parliamentary elections for eighteen months. From The Daily Star:

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said the Election Commission (EC) will not think about holding any elections either to parliament or local government bodies in next one and a half years.

"During this time, we will simultaneously prepare a voter list with photographs and national identity cards. Once the massive task is done, we will think about holding elections. But now we cannot give any timeline when the elections are likely to be held," the CEC told a press briefing.

When the electoral roll is prepared, there would be a lot of other tasks to be done. The government will have to create a congenial atmosphere for elections, he said.

"So, we cannot say that parliamentary elections will be held just after 18 months. We will be ready for elections after 18 months if everything goes smoothly."

Eighteen months is a long time, but given the arduous task of preparing a new—and valid—voter list, it is a pretty realistic time limit, presuming the caretaker government sticks to it. And by setting a tentative timetable, Bangladesh is hoping to head off any concerns by the international community, which, sooner or later, will demand elections.

None of the major political parties are going to like this, of course, especially the Awami League, who were poised to win the election. But it was they who complained the loudest about irregularities regarding the voter list (and even threatened to boycott the election because of it!), so it is they, more than anyone, who should appreciate the tasks the caretaker government is undertaking to ensure the elections are free and fair.

Nevertheless, this does not mean the caretaker government can do anything it wants in the interim. No. Its feet should be constantly be held to the fire. Currently, the caretaker government is beholden to no one except to itself and the military that backs it. It should be reminded from time to time that Bangladesh is a democracy, not a dictatorship, and people will demand its return.