BNP unveils manifesto

Full literacy in 5-year vow to scrap SPA

Immediate-past Prime Minister Khaleda Zia announced her party''s election manifesto to seek re-election at the December 29 polls with the clarion call ''Save the Country, Save the People" from what she said a deep crisis stemming from two years of misrule in the interim period, reports UNB.
The BNP chairperson, who recently came out from prison and who dismisses the 1/11 changeover as a ''conspiracy'', made a fresh pledge to bring down food prices, stamp out corruption and terrorism and build a modern Bangladesh if returned to power.
In her 36-point manifesto announced at Hotel Sheraton''s Winter Garden on Saturday afternoon, she focused on increased food production by giving subsidy on agriculture inputs, sealing off sources of corruption, effective steps to expand industry, trade and export, quick measures to solve problems in electricity, coal, gas and energy sector and creation of employment, particularly in rural areas.
Khaleda also stressed effective parliament, responsible political environment, understanding
among the state and social forces, capable and neutral administration, independent judiciary, farsighted foreign policy and pro-people administration.
She also emphasized protecting independence and sovereignty, freeing the country from curse of corruption, poverty alleviation, halting uptrend of prices of essentials, development of human resources, generation of employment and spreading education, improvement of health services and expansion of communications and infrastructure, establishment of good governance and justice, and guaranteeing fundamental rights of the people irrespective of religion and colour.
In her 80-minute election speech, Khaleda urged the people to imbibe the spirit of the great liberation war and elect the BNP-led four-party alliance which she said is a "symbol of patriotic and nationalist forces".
Apart from party leaders, diplomats, business leaders and civil-society members were present.
Khaleda pledged to bring every citizen under the literacy program within next five years and keep the educational institutions free from politics.
She proposed to form a consultative committee with competent and experienced people within 100 days to introduce a pro-people education system. She promised to expand free education for female students up to Degree level.
The BNP poll pledges also include setting up more than one IT Cities outside Dhaka. Besides, e-park and education park will be established.
Khaleda announced that health insurance would be announced for the poor people in phases and unemployment allowance for disabled persons.
Her pledges include encouraging local and foreign investments and offering incentives for investment by Non-Resident Bangladeshis, expanding micro-credit scheme to engage the poor in productive work, offering bank loans to women entrepreneurs at low interests, construction of underground railway or elevated monorail in the capital, Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane motorway and deep-sea port.
Turning to the power-hungry power sector, Khaleda said the projects which were approved by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and Japan and those projects in the pipeline would be implemented.
Within 100 days of forming the government, she will complete re-tender process for setting up 450MW plant at Bibiana and 450MW in Sirajganj.
She also promised to set up nuclear power plant for generation of power.
The former Prime Minister said if elected, her government would ensure a transparent and accountable administration free from all political interference.
"Appointment, promotion and postings will be done on the basis of merit, competence and experience," she said in her televised manifesto speech.
In the defence sector, she said the Armed Forces would be further strengthened with modern training, technology and equipment. Appointment and promotion in the Defence sector will be accomplished based on "merit, skills, competence, character and seniority".
She promised to ensure full independence of the judiciary with a separate Secretariat established under the Supreme Court. She noted that the Chief Justice''s opinion would be given priority in appointing judges of the higher court.
Against the backdrop of nagging past standoff and recurrent crises in the polity, Khaleda promised in her poll recipe bipartisan initiative to resolve national issues, appointing deputy speaker from the opposition in parliament and cancelling membership if an MP remains absent for more than 30 days without the sanction of parliament.
"The speaker and the deputy speaker must quit their parties voluntarily. Members of Parliament must submit their statements of wealth within 30 days of taking oath," she said.
Khaleda promised to scrap the controversial Special Powers Act 1974 and assist the National Human Rights Commission in protecting human rights.
She announced that stringent steps would be taken to thwart any evil design to disrupt communal harmony. She also pledged to improve the lifestyle and livelihood of the people in the hill tracts and protect the culture of tribal people.
She committed to constituting a national consultative committee to seek opinion and advice from experienced people at home and abroad in various sectors--from education to state security, improving law and order, and combat against terrorism.
The former Prime Minister was critical about the rule of the incumbent caretaker government, saying that the nation was ditched into "darkness" recently.
"A way out must be found and all will have to make all-out effort to do it," she said about what she indicated a national salvation effort.
Bdnews24.com adds: Education will be made accessible to all and steps will be taken to ensure that the country is free from illiteracy in the next five years, pledged BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, unveiling the party manifesto on Saturday.
"To make education functional and aimed at the masses, a special advisory council will be formed within the first 100 days of the new government," she said.
Based on their advice, a pro-people and employment oriented educational system will be created, she said.
Khaleda Zia also said that sufficient scholarships would be arranged for poor but meritorious students.
"A new policy will be formulated to keep the educational institutes free from political influence," she promised.
She also pledged respect and better remuneration for teachers.
On employment, she said, "BNP will adopt a national employment plan and health benefits will gradually be given."
"The aim of this plan is to ensure that at least one person in every family is guaranteed work."
Khaleda Zia also said that emphasis will be given to providing employment in the rural areas.
"We shall focus on completing ongoing rural infrastructure projects."
Programmes will be taken to ensure overseas employment for skilled labourers, she added, and promised ''special economic zones'' all over the country, encouragement of rural industries and strengthening of the rural economy.
Regarding health she said, "The national health policy will be modernised and gradually health insurance will be introduces for insolvent citizens."
Doctors, technologists, nurses will be given overseas training and facilities will be provided for the tax free import of medical equipment, said the former prime minister.
"New hospitals will be established, number of beds in existing hospitals will be increased and, for health facilities in the coastal and char areas, mobile medical units will be launched."
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has promised to scrap the special powers act made in 1974 as she rolled out the party''s election manifesto on Saturday.
The former prime minister also mentioned anti-terrorism measures and an independent Anticorruption Commission that was "free of influence".
Khaleda began her address by paying respect to the country''s freedom fighters.
"If there is an overall progress in the economic situation of the country then employment opportunities will be created. In the past, during the reign of BNP there has been remarkable economic development in the country with an increase in job opportunities and in the future this will be a priority issue for BNP."
On food security, the emphasis was on agro-subsidies, assisting farmers with purchase of seeds and fertilisers. "We will ensure that farmers are able to get the right price for commodities and that they do not have to pay excess to purchase materials," the BNP chief said.
Also among her party''s pledges: "Malicious attempts to label Bangladesh an intolerant, extremist and radical country will be effectively prevented".

10 poll promises

1. A national employment project will be taken to ensure that at least one member of a family gets permanent work.
2. A programme to ensure that people do not suffer from food insecurity due to flood, drought or natural disaster and the prices of food remain within the grasp of the people.
3. For modernisation and development of agricultural, new technology will be implemented and all efforts will be taken to increase production rate.
4. Managing committee/governing body will be formed to keep the education sector free of political influence.
5. Doctors, nurses and technologists will be given special training so that there will be improved health care facilities in the country.
6. Anticorruption commission will be given the chance to work neutrally and independently and we will take the assistance of the people, media and elected local government bodies to create an awareness against corruption.
7. Facilities to inspire expatriates to invest in Bangladesh and invest in local industries
8. There will be participation in international efforts to save the earth from global warming and climate change.
9. Women involved in business will be given loan on low interest and in job sectors women will be given preference in appointment and promotion
10. Malicious attempts to label Bangladesh an intolerant, extremist and radical country will be effectively prevented

Lofty promises need be matched with purse: Analysts

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) election manifesto announced Saturday appeared a little utopian, intended to woo voters, having lofty promises mainly on social safety net without the mention of matching funds, analysts say, reports UNB.
The election manifesto presented by party''s chairperson Khaleda Zia did not specifically say how the party would mobilize funds to support expensive schemes like health insurance for the poor, unemployment allowance and distribution of essential food items free of cost for distressed, hapless, elderly and unemployed men and women across the country.
In the crucial power sector, the immediate-past Prime Minister promised to implement projects approved by the World Bank, ADB and Japan and complete re-tender process to set up 450MW power plant at Bibiana and another 450MW plant in Sirajganj.
But the fact remains that during the BNP-led alliance rule since 2001 till 06, the analysts said, except for an 80MW Tongi power plant, no big projects in this sector were implemented for power generation. She however admitted this fact that, during her previous rule, adequate amount of power could not be produced in keeping with the pace of development.
In her election manifesto she did not make any time-bound promise to increase the power generation if voted to power, unlike her archrival Awami League president Sheikh Hasina.
Khaleda, who is not even in talking term with her archrival Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, sounds a political reformist when she pledges bipartisan approach to resolving issues of national importance within the ambit of parliament.
She proposed that the Speaker and the Deputy
Speaker quit their respective parties after being elected to those posts. "This proposal augurs well for conducting the parliamentary proceedings effectively, especially against the backdrop of past standoffs," one analyst said.
About the Special Powers Act 1974, Khaleda pledged that if voted to power, she would repeal the controversial law. But this promise she had made in BNP''s previous election manifesto too but didn''t scrap it when she came to power, the analysts noted in an instant review of the manifesto, which came amid a change of wind not only at home but also the world over.
The BNP chairperson used strong words against corruption saying that she would take stringent measures to curb corruption and seal off sources of corruption. She made the similar pledge in her 2001 election manifesto, but the dramatic irony is that the hydra-headed monster of corruption and terrorism allegedly thrived on lax prevention during her past rule after a brief pause during her first 100-day agenda.
Khaleda also did not speak out a single word about the fate of the ongoing corruption cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission under the incumbent caretaker government against many bigwigs, including top political leaders like she and her main rival Sheikh Hasina, another ex-PM.
However, it is encouraging that she pledged to assist the ACC in functioning "independently, neutrally and effectively".
She also said all elected representatives to parliament would have to submit their statements of wealth within 30 days of taking oath.
Although she made some good proposals to bring about qualitative changes in traditional culture of politics and parliament, she did not mention anything about the politics of hartal and blockade that had virtually upset the political system in the near past.
Khaleda also made commitment to make the administration neutral and non-partisan, saying that appointment, promotion and postings in the civil and military administration will be accomplished based on "merit, efficiency and seniority". Despite similar pledges in the previous election manifesto, she could not maintain the stand while in power, the critics noted.

Martyred Intellectuals Day today

The nation will observe the Martyred Intellectuals Day Sunday to mourn for the Bengali intellectuals and professionals brutally killed on this day in 1971 by the then Pakistani occupation army and their local collaborators at the fag-end of Bangladesh Liberation War, reports UNB.
With defeat looming large, the occupation forces and their lackeys -- Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams -- abducted frontline Bengali intellectuals and professionals on December 14, 1971 and killed them to cripple the newborn nation intellectually.
Intellectuals, academics, doctors, engineers, journalists and other eminent personalities were picked up from the city and massacred at Rayerbazar and other killing fields.
The martyred intellectuals include Prof Munir
Chowdhury, Dr Alim Chowdhury, Prof Muniruzzaman, Dr Fazle Rabbi, Sirajuddin Hossain, Shahidullah Kaiser, Prof GC Dev, JC Guha Thakurta, Prof Santosh Bhattacharya and Mofazzal Haider Chowdhury, journalists Khandaker Abu Taleb, Nizamuddin Ahmed, SA Mannan (Ladu Bhai), ANM Golam Mustafa, Syed Nazmul Haq and Selina Parvin.
Political, cultural and civil-society organizations will reminisce about the great tragedy that took place only two days before the fall of the Pakistani army in Bangladesh at the end of a nine-month war.
To mark the day, different socio-cultural and political organizations have planned elaborate programmes, including discussions and wreath-laying at Mirpur and Rayerbazar monuments.
The national flag will be hoisted at half-mast along with black flags. The President, the Chief Adviser and leaders of different political parties will place floral wreaths at Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals graveyard in the morning.
Awami League and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote will hold discussion meetings on the occasion. Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi will hold a discussion meeting and cultural function to mark the day.
President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed issued separate messages on the eve of the Martyred Intellectuals Day.
In his message, the President said intellectuals are the conscience of the nation and valuable asset of the country.
"The occupation force brutally killed many meritorious people, including noted educationists, doctors, journalists, litterateurs and artists, which is an irreparable loss for the nation," he said.
The Chief Adviser, in his message, called upon the countrymen to work all unitedly translating the grief into strength for building up a "vibrant and progressive Bangladesh enriched with democratic values".

No anti-Islam law if AL comes to power: Matia

If voted to power, Awami League will not formulate any anti-Islam law as it is committed to restore the image of Islam as a religion of peace and equality, reports UNB.
This was stated by AL presidium member Matia Chowdhury while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the AL Media Centre for Election in city''s Dhanmondi on Saturday afternoon.
"We strongly oppose the forces which use the name of Islam to promote their political interests. The extremists have destroyed the image of Islam as a religion of peace. We, in the Awami League, will do everything to restore the image of Islam," Matia Chowdhury said.
She added: "We don''t want that a Muslim, just for having Ali or Mohammad with his name, be subjected to checks abroad ten times more than other people. The image of Islam as a religion of openness and equality will have to be established."
Matia further said Awami League and its allies in the election do not want to use Islam as a political weapon. "We''ll ensure the rights of practicing all religions."
Focusing on the party''s election manifesto, she said Awami League wants to present the nation a vision for a long time to build Bangladesh as a prosperous country.
The AL presidium member reiterated the party''s commitment to establish freedom of press and journalism, saying that Awami League is the party that had granted licenses to private television channels and made the cell phone technology cheaper.
She also demanded punishment of the killers of 13 journalists during the last BNP-Jamaat regime.
Matia, known as ''Agnikanya'' for the fearless role she played in her early days of politics, urged the journalists to make news stories on the positive activities of the Awami League and the grand alliance.
"We all know that a bad news is a good copy. But at the same time, our request to all journalists: make positive stories to portray the development initiatives of our party and the grand alliance," she said.

Hasina falls ill

Awami League president Sheikh Hasina fell sick Saturday at her Sudhasadan residence and cancelled her day''s election-related programme.
"Sheikh Hasina is suffering from fever as her body temperatures went high," said one of the
Sudhasadan officials.
The former prime minister was scheduled to inaugurate her party''s Media Centre at Dhanmondi for the coverage of electioneering for the forthcoming parliament elections, but she couldn''t attend the function.
Awami League presidium member Matia Chowdhury, who inaugurated the media centre instead, said Sheikh Hasina couldn''t eat anything since dawn.
"Sheikh Hasina is suffering from high temperatures and nausea. She couldn''t take anything from the morning," Matia said about the party chief''s health conditions.
It could not be known if she has undergone any formal treatment.
Her indisposition occurred a day after she rolled out party manifesto for the polls and kicked off campaign for the general election once stalled in January last year amid a political crisis in the country over the election issues.

EC confirms polls symbols for 1,538 candidates

The Election Commission has confirmed the allocation of electoral symbols for 1,538 valid candidates for the upcoming general election, an EC official said on Saturday, reports bdnews24.com.
Of them 1,397 candidates belong to different political parties and alliances and 141 are independents. Some 266 of them are Awami League candidates with boat symbol and 263 are BNP nominees with the party symbol sheaf of paddy.
EC joint secretary Rafiqul Islam told bdnews24.com on Saturday that the number of final candidates for the ninth parliamentary election was 1538. The returning officers allotted the symbols.
"Some 39 symbols have been confirmed for 39 registered parties, three alliances and the independent candidates."
The independent candidates were also allotted symbols, he said.
The symbols for other parties are umbrella (Liberal Democratic Party) -18, bicycle (Jatiya Party) -7, wheel (Samyabadi Dal) -1, gamchha (Krishak Sramik Dal) -46, scythe (Communist Party of Bangladesh) -37, pigeon (Ganatantri Party) -5, hut (Bangladesh National Awami Party) -12, hammer (Workers Party of Bangladesh) - 2, winnowing fan (Bikalpadhara Bangladesh) -80, plough (Jatiya Party-Ershad) -46, torch (Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal) -2, star (JSD) -44, rose (Jaker Party) -37, ladder (Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal) -57, flower garland (Torikat Federation) -31, balance (Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami) -39, banyan tree (Khilafat Andolan) -31, lantern (Muslillm League) -4, mango (NPP) -29, date tree (Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam) -5, rising sun (Gono Forum) -45, fish ( Gono Front) -14, tiger (PDP) -4, cow (Bangladesh NAP) -7, jack fruit (Bangladesh Jatiya Party) -10, key (Oikyoboddho Nagorik Andolan) -11, chair (Islami Oikya Front) -2, wrist watch (Kalyan Party) -39, dome/ minaret ( Islami Oikyojote) -2, rickshaw (Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish) -8, handmade fan (Islami Andolan) -167, candle ( Bangladesh Islami Front) -18, hukkah (JGP) -1, spade (Biplabi Workers Party) -5 and axe (Freedom Party) 2.
The two symbols of BJP (cart) and Khilafat Majlish (wall clock) are not being used this time as the parties have joined the electoral alliance.
The Election Commission declared valid as many as 1,572 candidates up to Friday afternoon, until final allotment of electoral logo, Rafiqul Islam told bdnews24.com on Friday.
"But after the allotment of electoral logos among the candidates, the number of total candidates may come down," he had said.

Hundreds file nomination papers for UZ polls

Hundreds of candidates filed nomination papers for the forthcoming upazila parishad elections in 482 upazilas as the deadline for nomination submission under the schedule for the local government polls expired Saturday, reports BSS.
The election to the local government body is scheduled for January 22 nearly two decades after the last polls under the then regime of former president HM Ershad while the subsequent BNP government annulled the system.
Under the Local Government Council Ordinance, the upazila parishad chairman and two vice chairmen, one of them being a woman, would be directly elected to the council.
Members of the union parishads of the respective upazilas, municipal mayors (if any within the upazila) would be members of the upazila council by virtue of their positions.
The number of the women''s reserve seat would be one third of the number of the unions and municipalities (if any) within the area of the upazila and they would be elected through the votes of the women members of reserve seats of the respective union parishads and municipalities.
Reports from across the country said candidates flanked by enthusiast supporters filed their nomination papers to the returning officers but maintained strictly the restrictions against use of loudspeakers and motorcades that featured the earlier such polls.
Although it is a non-party election, grassroots level leaders of major parties are contesting it while party activists are expected to take part in the campaign after allocation of election symbols.
Under the schedule for the upazila polls, the nomination papers will be scrutinized until December 19, the deadline for withdrawal is December 31 while voting will be held on January 22, 2009.
Awami League during its tenure from 1996 to 2001 passed a law to reintroduce the elected upazila parishad but the process was stalled again after the 2001 general elections brought BNP to power.
The first upazila elections were staged in 1985 and the second in 1990.
Another report adds: A total of 162 candidates submitted nomination papers till the last date today for submission of the
nominations for contesting the elections from nine upazilas of the district.
According to returning office sources, 70 nomination papers were submitted for the posts of chairman, 53 for vice-chairman and 39 for women vice-chairman.

Ten thousand acres forest land still illegally occupied

News Report

Ten thousand acres of forest land still remains under illegal occupation although the present caretaker government after assuming power recovered about 1300 acres of forest land from the unauthorised possession of some land sharks.
The authorities are facing various hurdles in recovering the grabbed land due to different complexities including shortage of manpower, litigations and administrative impediments.
The concerned authorities alleged that some influential quarters during the tenures of different political governments grabbed about 11 thousand and a half acres of forest land with fake documents. The forest officials failed to recover the illegally occupied land allegedly because of the influence of the bigwigs.
The forest department lodged more than four hundred cases against persons including Giasuddin Al Mamun, Mizanur Rahman Sinha and Rashiduzzaman Millat for their alleged forest land grabbing.
Conservator of forest Muhammad Yunus Ali said the campaign for land recovery has been continuing. Horticulture is done on the recovered land. In the afforestation process local people have been involved on share basis. Under this programme local people are getting dividends without investing any capital.
Under the caretaker government the forest department has set up gardens on about one thousand acres of recovered land. Forest department has taken up a horticulture programme on three hundred acres of forest land. Deputy Conservator of forest, Dhaka, Zahiruddin Ahmed said this programme will be implemented within June of the current financial year.
Media Forum for Human Rights and Environmental Development, Environment and Human Rights Development Society, Green Club of Bangladesh and different organisations have welcomed the recovery of land and afforestation programme.

Indian Americans involved in Illinois scandal

CHICAGO, Dec 13: Several eminent Indian Americans are linked to the corruption scandal involving Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich''s attempt to sell the Senate seat vacated by president-elect Barack Obama, a front page investigative report by the Chicago Tirbune said, report agencies.
Blagojevich was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Tuesday for allegedly negotiating with several politicians to nominate them for the Senate seat for monetary and material favour. He was let off on a $4,500 cash bond but the scandal has hogged headlines in the US.
Obama, who represented Illinois in the US Senate before being elected president, resigned after the elections. Under US laws, the state governor has the authority to nominate his replacement for the rest of the term.
The Chicago Tribune has named several Indian Americans - all based in Chicago - for holding negotiations on behalf of US Representative Jesse Jackson Jr with Blagojevich over the seat Obama vacated.
Jackson has been named as "Senate Candidate 5" in the FBI charge sheet against the Illinois governor. The Indian American supporters of Jackson, the newspaper said, promised to hold a fundraiser for the Illinois governor for his re-election bid and raise more than $1 million in lieu of the Senate seat.
The daily identified one such Indian American as Raghuveer Nayak or Raghu.
He owns a series of surgery centres in Chicago.
"Raghu (Nayak) said he needed to raise a million for Rod to make sure Jesse got the seat," a businessman who attended one of the meetings where requests were made for the fundraiser was quoted as saying by The Chicago Tribune.
"He said, ''I can raise half of it, $500,000.''," added the businessman, also an Indian American.
Nayak, who the report said is a major Blagojevich fundraiser, also has ties with the Jackson family.
Nayak and Jesse Jackson Jr''s brother Jonathan have known each other for a long time and even went into business together some years ago.
Among other Indian Americans named in the report are pharmacist Harish Bhatt and brothers Rajinder Bedi and Jatinder Bedi.
Rajinder is managing director for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity''s Office of Trade and Investment, overseeing nine foreign trade offices around the world, from China to Israel. Jatinder is editor of the Chicago-based ethnic Indian newspaper, Indian Reporter.
Quoting two unidentified businessmen who attended the fundraiser meetings, the report said Nayak and Rajinder privately told many of the more than two dozen attendees that the fundraising effort was aimed at supporting Jackson''s bid for the Senate.
One such fundraiser was held a few days before the arrest of the Illinois governor. It was co-sponsored by Nayak and attended by Jonathan Jackson as well as Blagojevich, according to several people who were there.
Iftekhar Shareef, past president of the influential Federation of Indian Associations, who attended the fundraiser, said: "Raghu (Nayak) is always talking about how we need to appoint Jesse to the Senate. They are very close. Raghu is close to all the Jacksons. He even asked me to write a letter to the governor supporting Jesse for the Senate."

Medvedev''s military reform irks Russian hawks

MOSCOW, Dec 13: An ambitious plan to slash the size of Russia''s military and modernise its Soviet-style structure is meeting fierce resistance from generals and politicians who usually toe the Kremlin line, reports AFP.
Advocates say the reforms are needed so Russia can deal with modern threats like terrorism and local ethnic conflicts, instead of the Cold War scenario of a worldwide battle with the United States and NATO.
"The armed forces that Russia has today do not fully match the threats that Russia faces, and they need serious reform," the head of Russia''s general staff Nikolai Makarov said this week at a meeting with foreign military attaches.
Makarov cited "serious shortfalls" during Russia''s brief war with Georgia in August and said they would be fixed by the reform plan, which is backed by President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The plan would slash what critics call a bloated officer corps and provide troops with high-tech gear standard to other modern armies.
Its details have not been made fully public but its main author, Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, has said that by 2012 the number of officers will be cut by 150,000 from a current level of 355,000.
The total size of the armed forces would drop from 1.13 million to 1 million while the 20,000- strong staff of the Defence Ministry''s headquarters in Moscow would be more than halved and 200 generals pushed into retirement.
A tighter chain of command and the formation of autonomous combat brigades would help make the army "modern, mobile, equipped with the newest weapons technology and ready to handle a range of threats," Makarov said.
Independent defence analyst Alexander Golts described the planned changes as historic. "They are giving up the idea of a mass-mobilisation army. This is of fundamental importance," he said.
But the expected cuts have led to reports of dismay in the top brass and a backlash from hawks like Leonid Ivashov, a prominent retired general who blasted the reforms at a press conference last week.
"The officer corps is demoralised today. Four star generals are handing in their resignations because of their opposition to the reforms," he said.
Ivashov, who heads the Academy of Geopolitical Affairs, a defence think tank, also warned darkly that the reforms would open Russia to a US attack.
"In the past 10 years the US has raised its defence budget to unprecedented levels," he said. "The push to create a unipolar world is one of the main threats to Russia."
Opposition also has more prosaic reasons, as officers fear being laid off and losing their incomes, housing and other benefits.
Much of the criticism has been targeted at Serdyukov, a former furniture store manager who was appointed defence minister by Putin and is often pilloried for his lack of military background.

Four UK troops killed in Afghan explosions

LONDON, Dec 13: Four British troops were killed in two separate explosions Friday in troubled southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said, reports AFP.
"Four Royal Marines were killed in two separate incidents in the Sangin area of Helmand province this morning," the MoD said in a statement.
In the explosion, which occurred south of the town of Sangin, three marines-two from 45 Commando and one from Commando Logistics Regiment-were killed.
"They were taking part in a routine operation against enemy forces in the area," the MoD said.
One marine died instantly, a second died of his wounds before he could be evacuated and the third died of his wounds in the hospital at Camp Bastion, Britain''s main base in Afghanistan.
The other explosion took place in the Sangin area. One soldier from 45 Commando, who was taking part in a routine patrol, was killed as a result. He died of his wounds while being taken to Camp Bastion.
The next of kin have been informed.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to the soldiers killed.
"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these brave men who died in the service of their country," he said.
"We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. This is a tragic loss.
"Fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan puts our armed forces in the front line against terrorism. I know that the whole country is immensely proud of all those who serve in our armed forces and what they do to protect each and every one of us."
The deaths take to 132 the total number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001, when US-led forces ousted the Taliban in the wake of the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington.

Khaleda kicks off election campaign in city

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia beginning election campaign in Dhaka City from Mohammadpur (Dhaka-13) Satyrday pledged for resolving water, power crises and creating employment opportunities if her party voted to power, reports UNB.
She introduced the party candidate of the constituency, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, BNP youth front Jubo Dal general secretary, to the voters amid cheers.
Alal faces formidable opponent Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Awami League''s youth front Jubo League president, in the December 29 polls. Both of them come from Barisal.
Khaleda told the projection meeting in front of Mohammadpur Town Hall in the evening that reduction of prices of essentials was the main objective of her party. She said people suffered most from high prices of food grains and other necessaries during the last two years.
There has been no development during the last two years under the caretaker government. Rather, progress of development undertaken by BNP government has been halted, she added.
The BNP chief said the upcoming election would decide if the country would be administered by a subservient government or by the nationalists.
In a veiled accusation against arch political rival Awami League she cautioned the people that they were up for making Bangladesh a state of subservient of their masters, an obvious indication to India.
December is the month of victory of our independence. You should reject the subservient elements to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country. Khaleda urged the nation.
Khaleda blamed Awami League without naming the party for frustrating the January 22/2007 elections. Sensing defeat in the election they launched ugly movement of ''logi-baitha'' and killing of people openly on the street, she reminded the audience.
Mayor of Dhaka Sadeq Hossain Khoka was among others addressed the meeting.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia beginning election campaign in Dhaka City from Mohammadpur (Dhaka-13) today pledged for resolving water, power crises and creating employment opportunities if her party voted to power, reports UNB.
She introduced the party candidate of the constituency, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, BNP youth front Jubo Dal general secretary, to the voters amid cheers.
Alal faces formidable opponent Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Awami League''s youth front Jubo League president, in the December 29 polls. Both of them come from Barisal.
Khaleda told the projection meeting in front of Mohammadpur Town Hall in the evening that reduction of prices of essentials was the main objective of her party. She said people suffered most from high prices of food grains and other necessaries during the last two years.
There has been no development during the last two years under the caretaker government. Rather, progress of development undertaken by BNP government has been halted, she added.
The BNP chief said the upcoming election would decide if the country would be administered by a subservient government or by the nationalists.
In a veiled accusation against arch political rival Awami League she cautioned the people that they were up for making Bangladesh a state of subservient of their masters, an obvious indication to India.
December is the month of victory of our independence. You should reject the subservient elements to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country. Khaleda urged the nation.
Khaleda blamed Awami League without naming the party for frustrating the January 22/2007 elections. Sensing defeat in the election they launched ugly movement of ''logi-baitha'' and killing of people openly on the street, she reminded the audience.
Mayor of Dhaka Sadeq Hossain Khoka was among others addressed the meeting.

JP joins hand with AL for sure victory: Ershad

SYLHET, Dec 13: Jatiya Party joined the Awami League-led electoral alliance for a sure victory, JP chairman Hossain Mohammed Ershad said on Saturday, reports bdnews24.com.
"I''m disappointed that we got much less than what we wanted from the alliance, and we got only one seat in Sylhet out of six," the former president told local media in Sylhet.
He also expressed disappointment that an AL candidate would also contest for the lone Sylhet constituency allotted to JP.
"But the victory for the AL-led alliance is certain, which is why we have joined the alliance though there were odds," said Ershad .
"People are fed up with the extremely high prices of essentials. So they are going to vote for the alliance as they want an easier life," the JP chairman said.
He avoided a question about whether he would be president in case the AL-alliance wins the election.
Ershad went to Sylhet on Saturday afternoon to kick off his election campaign after paying respects at the shrine of Shah Jalal. He was accompanied by JP presidium member Kazi Zafar Ahmed and secretary general ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader.
The JP candidate for Sylhet-3 is Atikur Rahman Atik.

Rome declares emergency as heavy rains pound Italy

ROME, Dec 13: Rome declared a state of emergency as the swollen Tiber river threatened to flood Friday and the death toll from the heavy rains battering much of Italy rose to four, reports AP.
The Civil Protection Department said the Tiber had risen about 16 feet (5 meters) in the past two days and warned it might burst its banks.
Officials evacuated Gypsy camps along the Tiber''s banks and boats broke loose from their moorings in the surging water. The smaller Aniene river, which flows into the Tiber, already overflowed, forcing officials to close down some streets in Rome and evacuate hundreds of people.
"It is as if there has been an earthquake," Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno told the daily La Repubblica.
Tourists snapped pictures as the roiling Tiber surged underneath the city''s bridges. Lumir, an Afghan hound, sported a blue raincoat Friday as his owner watched the Tiber rise in Rome.
Italy has been hit by days of bad weather, and TV footage has shown entire neighborhoods flooded or submerged by mud.
Downpours disrupted traffic Friday from Milan in the north to Palermo, Sicily, in the south, as trains were delayed and many streets were flooded or blocked by fallen trees. A few inches (centimeters) of water again covered Venice''s lowest parts, including the landmark St. Mark''s Square, while Alpine rescuers saved a group of boy scouts who had been trapped on Mount Etna.
Four people were reported killed. Rescuers recovered the body of a man in southern Italy who was swept away in the heavy rains, while an elderly man died after his car was hit by a tree and another one was killed in a car crash in a rainstorm, police in the southern city of Reggio Calabria said.
A woman was killed Thursday after her car was submerged in an underpass in Rome.
In Rome and Venice, two of the hardest-hit cities, union officials called off local transport strikes.

UNSC to hold meet on Mideast crisis

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 13: The UN Security Council (UNSC) is to hold a ministerial session on the Middle East peace process Tuesday, the US ambassador to the world body said Friday, reports AFP.
"We have asked for a meeting on Tuesday at the ministerial level to focus on the Middle East," Zalmay Khalilzad added, stressing that the aim was to adopt a text to "support the progress that has been made in the peace process."
The US envoy said the proposed document, which is to be discussed during Council consultations scheduled for 11 am (1600 GMT) Saturday, would seek to encourage the "successful conclusion of achieving the two-state solution," a reference to the creation of a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.
Khalilzad''s proposal was immediately supported by his Russian counterpart Vitaly Churkin, who stressed the need to "avoid any kind of a pause" in the Middle East peace process.
"We are supporting the proposal of the US to hold a ministerial session on Tuesday," Churkin said. "We are hoping that the meeting will result in a document that will be approved by the Security Council."

WP spells out poll manifesto

News Report

Leaders of Workers Party Bangladesh (WPB) on Saturday vowed to reduce corruption, communalism and extremism from the country if voted to power in the upcoming parliamentary election.
Member of the Executive Committee of WPB Anisur Rahman Mallik read out the manifesto at a press conference at the party office in the city.
The manifesto will be implemented, if the 14-party grand alliance voted to power during the upcoming parliamentary polls.
The manifesto also pledged to hold trial of 1971 war criminals and ensure equitable distribution of wealth.
"The 9th parliamentary polls is not about voting only; it''s about moving forward with the people with a revolution of change," said Rashed Khan Menon, president of WPB and the candidate of the 14-party grand alliance for Dhaka-8.
The manifesto said it would establish a Bangladesh free of poverty, hunger and spiraling prices, ensure the rights of working people and women, free the country from the clasps of World Bank, IMF and imperialism.
"If the 14-party goes to power then all war criminals will be tried and for that international criminal law will be implemented," Menon said.
According to the manifesto, the workers party also committed to saving environment, tackling traffic congestion, removing drug abuse from the society and controlling prices of essentials.
It also touched some other issues for using indigenous technology to fight climate change and natural resources including gas, oil and coal are some of the pledges.
Development of education, human resources and culture, decentralisation of democracy and ensuring local autonomy, establishing the rights of the indigenous people, formulating laws to safeguard the rights of the handicapped, ensuring health facilities, establishing law and order, formulating an urban policy aimed at the accommodation of the poor and the ultra poor, formulating policies for the development of agriculture, health, employment and human resources are the other things the party wants to do.