End political impasse

scheduled today. What should play a catalyst role in this encounter is the spirit of elation and unity amongst the nation fostered by his winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

We join our voice with Nobel laureate's appeal to the political leaders that they iron out their remaining differences on the reform question with a unity of purpose and confidence in the future of the nation.

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Indeed, his winning the Nobel prize is the biggest news since the independence of Bangladesh in 1971 and restoration of democracy in 1991, unleashing emotions of unity and heightened self-esteem that are gifts worthy of proper utilisation. The most striking thing is when Prof Yunus has won a peace prize, can our political leaders afford to be swamped by lack of peace?

We strongly feel that the Professor's appeal should find a positive resonance in the meeting between BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and his AL counterpart Abdul Jalil and that it would prove productive and conclusive. The whole nation eagerly awaits the success of the talks. The subsequent events like Eid and hand-over of power to the caretaker government speak of severe time constraints. Most importantly, the stakes are too high for the ruling and opposition parties to be failing in their talks. Either they succeed or they leave the nation in the throes of grave uncertainty.

The political parties have their own responsibilities in making the dialogue a success in a spirit of give and take. The voters have reposed confidence in them through their verdicts in the last three general elections. They must live up to popular expectations now.