Editorial
US' support for our democracy roadmap
The political course is for the people to determine
We take note of the US charge d'affaires (CDA) Geeta Pasi's Sunday meetings with the senior leaders of AL and a faction of the BNP. This along with her plans to meet few other political leaders is likely to give an impression of her evincing more than normal diplomatic interest in our internal politics. We welcome some aspects of the US' interest, but unambiguously state that it is our people who will ultimately protect and determine the future course of our democracy, not foreign powers.
Admittedly, involvement of some diplomats in our country's politics is somewhat more intense and direct, than is the case in many other countries. Even then we are taken aback, come as the meetings do at a time when the country is on the road towards implementing the electoral roadmap announced by the EC. We are all set on course for the December election, and thus we fail to understand what compelled the US CDA even then to remind us of the scheduled election date.
What the US acting head of mission said in respect of the proposed national election has already been articulated by the CEC and reinforced by none other than the Chief Advisor himself on many occasions. Add to this the unequivocal statement of the CAS to keep the armed forces aloof from politics and we have no ground to doubt the commitment of the concerned institutions to stick to the timeframe.
However, if there has been an involvement of some diplomats in our internal affairs, it can be attributed to a tendency on the part of political parties to seek intercession of diplomats to resolve political differences. This is not only demeaning for a self-respecting nation, it also speaks of the political parties' immaturity and lack of prudence. Interestingly, when the opposition tries to invoke the help of our foreign friends it is castigated by the party in power only to do the same when it is in the opposition.
Having stated the above, we find the support of the US government for the democracy roadmap indeed heartening. It is also the desire of the people to see it implemented as per plan.
It must be reemphasised that the country's political course will be determined by none other than the people through the parties that represent them. How successful the parties will be would depend on their wisdom and political acumen.
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