September 26, 2003	Friday	Rajab 28, 1424

DHAKA, Sept 25: Bangladesh has so far got very positive responses from the OIC member countries in its quest for their support for the candidature of the secretary-general’s position, said foreign secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury on Thursday.

Many countries, including Indonesia and Brunei, in addition to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, gave written confirmation about supporting Bangladesh’s candidate for the top post of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

The prime minister’s parliamentary affairs adviser, Salauddin Quader Chowdhury MP, is contesting for the post of OIC Secretary-General. So far no other member state has announced any candidate for the top executive office of the 57-member organization established in 1969. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is expected to lead the Bangladesh delegation to the OIC summit.

Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said, “the forthcoming summit is very significant as it will be the first summit after the Sept 11, 2001, incident.”