June 05, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 30, 1429

DHAKA: Bangladesh business leaders have urged the country’s army-backed interim administration to stick to a December election schedule, saying restoration of democracy will help improve the economic climate.

Representatives from the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry met government leaders as part of an ongoing dialogue the government has launched to ensure smooth elections.

“We want to return to democracy through elections in December,” said Annisul Huq, president of the apex business body.

“At the same time we want a pledge from the political leaders that they will maintain a peaceful democracy after the elections.”

Bangladesh has been under a state of emergency since January 2007 when the interim administration took over after months of political violence.

Dozens of politicians, officials and businessmen have been detained in a crackdown the administration has launched on corruption ahead of the elections.

Bangladesh’s two main political parties — the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party — have refused talks with the government until their leaders and former prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia were released.

Huq said: “But we also regret the stalemate now prevailing after the boycott of talks by main two parties.”

Both the women are in detention on corruption charges.

But the government has said the law will take its course and urged the parties not to shun the talks.

“It is the responsibility of all including the two main parties to make the ongoing dialogue a success,” government adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman said.

Three other smaller parties have also rejected offer of talks.

Business leaders also sought an assurance from the political parties they would end the politics of confrontation with frequent strikes and street protests that hurt the ordinary citizens and caused huge losses.—Reuters