Vol. 5 Num 714 Thu. June 01, 2006       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture General Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives WWW thedailystar.net Today's Index Front Page Saifur takes 3 days to decide on resignation Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman, who is adamant to resign from the cabinet in the wake of prevailing volatile situation in Sylhet BNP, said yesterday he will come up with a decision after three days.   EC claims voter list expenditure Tk 9.7cr The Election Commission (EC) Secretariat claimed yesterday that Tk 9.70 crore was spent for preparing the draft voter list, but the actual expenditure should be about 10 times the claim.   Tk 68,600cr budget likely for next fiscal year The government might propose a Tk 68,600 crore national budget for the 2006-07 fiscal year with a target to meet financial deficit by borrowing money from domestic sources instead of foreign ones.   BNP lawmaker's reign of terror against journalists Kushtia has turned into a risky zone for journalists who were threatened and assaulted by the ruling party cadres for writing against a local lawmaker on several occasions, but the government seems to   Saifur-Ilyas row spills over to greater Sylhet BNP A mixed reaction is evident in the rank and file of the ruling BNP in Sylhet region over dissolution of the district committee of the party.   Lack of law sees frenzied catfish breeding on city outskirts The authorities have yet to take any step against cultivation of African catfish, a carnivorous foreign species of fish, which is threatening the local species in our natural water bodies.   8 newsmen hurt as cops swoop on procession Eight journalists were injured as police charged baton on journalists in a procession in the town yesterday.   Boishakhi TV director arrested after his case against Abbas A Boishakhi 'director' was arrested yesterday and remanded for one day in an attempted murder case, a day after he filed a criminal case against Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas, and managing   Govt lands roadmap for power sector reform The government yesterday presented a three-year roadmap for reforming the power sector by turning its entities into corporations through private public partnership in the sector.   Fresh unrest at DEPZ Fresh labour unrest at Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) in Savar yesterday left 50 people injured.   EC spent voter list fund on crockery, entertainment In the name of preparing the fresh voter list that raised widespread controversies, the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat allocated a significant amount of fund to spend on some purposes, which have   SC suspends guard for violating nat'l flag rule A guard of the Supreme Court (SC) was yesterday suspended for hoisting the national flag at half-mast on the death anniversary of president Ziaur Rahman on May 30.   Bangladesh people will reject extra-constitutional rule, says US state dept official A United States official yesterday said the people of Bangladesh will reject any military takeover or extra-constitutional rule and work hard to protect democracy.   2 businessmen killed for tolls Two businessmen were killed by extortionists in Jhenidah and Meherpur on Tuesday after they refused to pay tolls.   100 hurt as cop attack Bhola AL men Police yesterday charged baton and fired bullets to disperse the Awami League (AL) activists demanding uninterrupted power supply in Bhola town, leaving about 100, including journalists, injured.   Charges pressed against JMB chief, 20 others Police yesterday pressed charges against 21 militants of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), including its top two leaders Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai, in an August 17 serial blast case filed with   23,000 primary schools remain closed Teachers of private primary schools continued to observe their hunger strike until death at the city's Muktangon demanding nationalisation of their jobs yesterday.   Students to get special rate for internet use The post and telecommunications ministry yesterday informed a parliamentary body that it has decided to provide some special facilities to the students on internet use at a rate as low as 3 paisa perminute.   Jewellery traders keep shutters down to protest robbery Members of Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BJA) yesterday kept their shops in the city closed in protest against frequent robberies.   Tremor jolts Chittagong A moderate tremor measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale jolted the port city and its adjoining areas in the early hours yesterday.   Rallies across country June 4 to condemn attack on press Sangbadik Sramik Karmochari Oikya Parishad (SSKOP) will hold rallies on June 4 across the country in protest against the attacks on journalists in Kushtia, Chittagong and elsewhere in the country including   Iraq orders state of emergency in Basra Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki ordered yesterday a month-long state of emergency in the southern city of Basra, the scene of inter-Shia clashes, as the rest of Iraq stayed in the grip of a surge in violence.   Form judicial council to oust CEC The Awami League-led 14-party opposition combine yesterday demanded forming a Supreme Judicial Council to oust ‘controversial' Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Aziz and other two commissioners toensure   Iran not an immediate nuke threat Iran does not pose an immediate nuclear threat and the world must act cautiously to avoid repeating mistakes made with Iraq and North Korea, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency said on Tuesday. Business Garment workers demand Tk 3,000 minimum wage Garment workers yesterday demanded a minimum wage of Tk 3,000 a month for workers in apparel factories.   Govt to finalise strategic partners for Biman soon The government is shortly expected to announce a decision to appoint strategic partners for Bangladesh Biman in an urgent effort to salvage the crisis-ridden national flag carrier.   China pledges to loosen currency controls China's central bank on Wednesday pledged to gradually diminish its role in controlling the nation's currency to allow market forces more say in setting the value of the yuan.   India records 8.4pc growth in 2005-06 The Indian economy recorded growth of 8.4 percent in the 2005-06 year, beating previous estimates of 8.1 percent after a record preformance in the fourth quarter, the government said Wednesday.   Daewoo founder gets 10-year prison term A lower court has sentenced Kim Woo-choong, founder of the now-defunct Daewoo Group, to 10 years in prison and a 21 trillion won (US$0.   Oil slips below $72 in Asia Oil prices slipped below 72 dollars a barrel in Asian trade Wednesday on expectations of a build-up in US gasoline (petrol) supplies, providing a brief relief from supply concerns over Iran, dealers said.   Jubok responds to BB show cause notice Jubo Karmasangsthan Society (Jubok), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), yesterday responded to the show cause notice issued by Bangladesh Bank (BB).   Karachi chamber team due Saturday A 15-member trade delegation of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) will arrive in Bangladesh on Saturday on a six-day visit.   Foreign trade grows 24pc in Nepal Nepal's total foreign trade rose by 24 percent during the first eight months of the current Nepali fiscal year (July 16, 2005-July 15, 2006), Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) said here yesterday.   Malaysia expands 5.3pc in Q1 Malaysia's economy grew by 5.3 percent in the first three months of 2006, outpacing 5.2 percent expansion in the previous quarter despite inflationary pressure, the central bank said Wednesday.   People's Leasing okays 45pc stock dividend People's Leasing and Financial Services Ltd has declared a 45 per cent stock dividend (nine bonus shares for existing 20 shares) for its shareholders for the year 2005.   Union Capital declares 20pc stock dividend Union Capital Ltd has declared a 20 per cent stock dividend for its shareholders for the year 2005.   Thailand posts current account deficit in April Thailand posted a current account deficit in April, hit by soaring costs of oil imports and a slowdown in export growth, the central bank said Wednesday.   BASIC Bank proposes 24pc dividend BASIC Bank Ltd has proposed a 24 per cent dividend for the year 2005, says a press release. The proposal was made at the 192nd meeting of the Board of Directors of the bank.   Apec ministers in Vietnam to push for global free trade deal Asia-Pacific trade ministers were due to push for speedy progress in talks to free up global trade at a meeting starting Thursday in Vietnam, the communist host nation said.   Cambodian garment exports up 10pc in 2005: ILO Cambodia's garment and textile exports in 2005 jumped 10 percent year-on-year to top two billion dollars for the first time, the International Labour Organisation said Wednesday.   Cambodian garment exports up 10pc in 2005: ILO Cambodia's garment and textile exports in 2005 jumped 10 percent year-on-year to top two billion dollars for the first time, the International Labour Organisation said Wednesday.   India opens 1st Rolls-Royce showroom The first Rolls-Royce showroom opened in India Wednesday to woo the nation's growing band of rich entrepreneurs with the ultimate symbol of luxury and status. Sports Football: Romario: The evergreen Brazilian When Brazil won the fourth of their five World Cups out at USA 94 there was, as is often the case with the South Americans, a brilliant striker spearheading the charge: Faria Romario da Sousa.   Football: Bits and Bobs Domenech backs cultural project Ap, Clairefontaine France World Cup coach Raymond Domenech is backing a project by musicians and athletes to use soccer to break down social barriers,   Football: New-look England impress England's new look was good enough to secure a 3-1 win over Hungary without quite convincing that it will resemble the finished article in time for the World Cup.   Football: Germany salvage a draw World Cup hosts Germany staged a late fightback to scramble a 2-2 draw against Japan, avoiding a morale-sapping defeat just 10 days before the tournament kicks off.   Football: Brazil enjoy shooting practice Champions Brazil warmed up in style for next month's World Cup with an 8-0 romp over a Lucerne select side in front of a capacity 30,000 crowd at the St Jakob stadium on Tuesday.   Cricket: Tigers' camp starts today The national cricketers get back to business after a month's break when the preparation camp for the upcoming tours of Kenya and Zimbabwe begins at the Bangla-desh Army Stadium today.   Chess: Men's chess team beat Iceland Bangladesh had a mixed bag of results against Iceland in the ninth round of 37th Chess Olympiad at Turin, Italy on Tuesday. While the men's team defeated Iceland 2.5-1.   Football: AFC prescribes slow, steady tactics After a three-day workshop the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) officials emphasised on slow and steady tactics to make the first-ever Professional Football League (PFL) a successful one in the country.   Volleyball: Bangladesh sweep volleyball series against Nepal Bangladesh volleyball team completed a clean sweep against visiting Nepal when they won the third and final Test match at the Mirpur Indoor Stadium yesterday.   Cricket: Ton-up Mizan Rajshahi batsman Mizan struck a magnificent hundred on the first day of the two-day semifinal of the Dhaka Bank Under-19 National Youth Cricket tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur   Football: Mixed reviews for 'Teamgeist' Strikers and midfielders love it. Goalkeepers hate it. The ball that will be used at the World Cup in Germany probably will be praised as much as it is disparaged.   Football: Argentina too good for Angola Argentina produced an impressive display to defeat a weak Angola team 2-0 in the South Americans' final warm-up match before the World Cup from June 9-July 9.   Football: The Daily Star Online Poll   Football: Sven effusive in Beckham praise Sven-Goran Eriksson claimed that David Beckham answered his critics as the England captain inspired his country to a 3-1 victory against Hungary at Old Trafford.   Football: Takahara fancies semifinal showing Japan striker Naohiro Takahara believes his country can reach the semifinals of the World Cup following their impressive display in Tuesday's 2-2 friendly draw against hosts Germany.   Football: Tanaka's dream over Asian champions Japan received a blow on Wednesday with the news that defender Makoto Tanaka will miss the World Cup with a thigh injury.   Football: Semis a bridge too far Nearly 90 percent of South Koreans think their team will reach the second round of the World Cup but fewer than four percent think the side can make the semi-finals.   Cricket: Boje in Bacher's good books Former South Africa cricket boss Ali Bacher says he is certain spin bowler Nicky Boje was never involved in any match-fixing related activities.   Cricket: Chappell frets about Pathan Indian coach Greg Chappell accepts that Irfan Pathan is down in confidence and hopes the left-armer can turn it around by the time the first Test starts on Friday.   Tennis: Russians rule in Paris Russia's Nikolay Davydenko and Dinara Safina reached the French Open third round on Wednesday, revelling in the cold, damp conditions which were more Moscow than springtime Paris.   Cricket: 'Kevin a la Denis' England batsman Kevin Pietersen is a modern day Denis Compton, according to another former Test star Geoff Boycott.   Cricket: Beware of Bradshaw Having tied the free-scoring Indian batsmen to a knot in the one-day series, West Indian seamer Ian Bradshaw is hoping to repeat his success in the four-Test series starting with the first here on Friday.   Cricket: Spin void worries Donald Allan Donald, the former South Africa fast bowler, expressed concern at the lack of quality spin bowlers in the country to compete at the international level.   Cricket: Vaughan's stuttering return England captain Michael Vaughan failed in his first Championship innings of the summer on the opening day of Yorkshire's game against Hampshire.   Cricket: Barmy Army to hack tickets Sneaky England supporters plan to raid Cricket Australia's family-orientated Ashes ticket system when seats go on sale on Thursday morning.   Cricket: Sylvester spoils India practice Sylvester Joseph plundered an undefeated hundred for his native Antigua Barbuda to expose some of the limitations of India's bowling in a two-day tour match at the Police Recreation Ground on Tuesday.   Cricket: Bob wary of Eng wrath Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer says he has no doubt his team will be competitive on the forthcoming tour of England.   Cricket: Brearley warns Monty Rookie spinner Monty Panesar should brace himself for some "racist mockery" from Australian fans who are likely to lampoon his sloppy fielding during the Ashes later this year, warns Ashes legend Mike   Football: Billions across Asia to watch World Cup More than 30 billion people around the world are expected to watch the World Cup with media operators in Asia eyeing record audiences for the greatest football show on earth.   Football: 'Scholes will be back' As Manchester United embark on a close season search for a midfield enforcer for next season they can at least looked forward to the return of Paul Scholes, according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.   Football: Red Bull denies Ronaldo offer The Austrian maker of the energy drink Red Bull denied reports on Tuesday that it had offered Brazilian striker Ronaldo a 10-year contract worth 120 million dollars to play for US club Red Bull New York.   Football: Valdez joins Dortmund Paraguayan international striker Nelson Haedo Valdez has signed a four-year contract with German club Borussia Dortmund after Werder Bremen finally accepted a 4.7-million-euro bid on Tuesday.   Football: Don't frighten the horses! Patriotic English fans who attach flags to their cars could be in trouble with the police. Motorists in rural Hampshire have been warned their World Cup flags are frightening the horses.   Football: Walcott breaks Rooney record Arsenal forward Theo Walcott became the youngest ever England international when he came on as a second half substitute in England's World Cup warm-up against Hungary at Old Trafford on Tuesday.   Football: "F-word" banned! A British hotel is offering football-free breaks for "soccer widows" desperate to escape wall-to-wall coverage of the World Cup.   Football: Atletico snap up former Porto pair Atletico Madrid have raided Dynamo Moscow's defensive ranks to sign Portugal's holding midfielder Costinha and Greek defender Georgios Seitaridis.   Football: Edmilson blow for Brazil Brazilian international midfield defender Edmilson has been ruled out of the World Cup because of a right knee injury, team doctor for the defending world champions Jose Luis Runco said Wednesday.   NOTICE Dear Readers, From what we all have seen in the draw of THE DAILY STAR-RANGS TOSHIBA WORLD CUP QUIZ ROUND 1 that one person running away with as many as four prizes and another person winning Metropolitan Call for more critical analysis before implementation While LGRD minister called for more critical analysis of Dhaka Integrated Flood Control Embankment cum Eastern Bypass Road Multipurpose Project before its implementation and sought donor funding, ministers   Quality teachers a must for quality education Quality teachers are a must to ensure quality education for the students, said the speakers at a discussion yesterday.   Adequate allocation for people with disability demanded Speakers at a workshop yesterday demanded adequate allocation for the people with disability in the upcoming national budget.   Only 4pc rural households can afford optimal diet Only four percent of rural households can afford an optimal diet and 39 percent of under-five children in rural areas are stunted, a survey revealed yesterday.   Hear on charge framing against JMB men July 4 A Dhaka court yesterday fixed July 4 for hearing on charge framing of the first sedition case against eight Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) leaders and activists of Dhamrai area.   2 high officials of Ctg customs suspended Two high officials of Chittagong Customs were suspended allegedly for helping import of old chassis through false documentation.   PM distributes food among poor on second day Prime Minister Khaleda Zia distributed foods among the poor in different parts of the city yesterday on the second day of a three-day programme marking the 25th death anniversary of president Ziaur Rahman.   UP secys demand nationalisation of jobs Secretaries of Union Parishads yesterday demanded nationalisation of their service. They also demanded payment of 100 percent salary by the government and raising their status as second class officers.   'Outlaw' killed in 'crossfire' A member of Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) Red Flag faction was killed in 'crossfire' between Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and his accomplices at Terokhada of Sathia upazila in Pabna yesterday.   Ctg bakery sealed off for using adulterated raw materials A mobile court in an anti-adulteration drive here yesterday sealed off an unauthorised bakery for producing confectionery items using adulterated raw materials.   HC issues rule on PSC A High Court Division bench has issued a rule upon the government to explain why the selection of two candidates, out of 13, for appointment to permanent posts of professors (surgery) in different medical   Grocer strangled Unidentified miscreants strangled a grocer at Satkania in the district yesterday. The victim was identified as Md Yusuf Mia, 28.   DU summer vacation begins today A month-long summer vacation of Dhaka University (DU) begins from today. During the vacation no classes will be held but examinations of different departments and institutes will be held as per schedule. National 'Black day' observed in Gaibandha People in Gaibandha town yesterday observed 'black day' yesterday protesting the death of a youth in police custody and demanding punishment to policemen involved in the incident.   PDB drive leaves out big defaulters in Magura The Power Development Board (PDB) has launched a special drive to realise arrear bills but big defaulters are being spared.   'Allocate more funds for Satkhira' Speakers at a seminar in the town urged the government to allocate more funds in the next financial year for development of 'neglected' Satkhira district.   Tornado sweeps 15 Tangail villages At least 50 people, including women and children, were injured as tornado swept 15 villages in Rashulpur and Dhalapara unions in Ghatail upazila in Tangail district Tuesday afternoon.   2 lakh marooned in Netrakona The flood situation in Netrakona deteriorated yesterday as more areas reeled under water, leaving about two lakh people marooned in six upazilas.   Opposition Chief Whip's house 'ransacked' in Srimongal The Srimongal residence of the Chief Whip of Opposition in Jatiya Sangsad, M Shaheed, was allegedly ransacked by unknown miscreants.   Rivals attack BNP leader, 20 injured At least 20 people including journalists were injured when BNP leader Elthem Kabir and his men came under attack by rivals in the party at Char Sindhur in Polash area in the district on Tuesday.   Criminal flees police custody A listed criminal escaped from the Detective Branch (DB) of police custody. The criminal, Noor Alam, 30, an armed cadre of an outlawed party, fled away Monday midnight. Point-Counterpoint Good governance: An imperative all through The governance issue precedes all other issues so far as economic development of a country is concerned.   Submarine cable: A landmark in ICT sector The historic event that took place near the shore of the Bay of Bengal on 22 May will have a far-reaching effect on the progress and prosperity of Bangladesh.   A war crime tribunal that Japan intends to forget EXPOSING the crimes of wars and bringing the perpetrators to justice is a twentieth century concept that had received necessary and much needed stimulus after the end of World War II.   On teaching English in Bangladesh today The state of teaching, and learning English, in Bangladesh is in the doldrums. Culture Khaled Khan on his recent works and more... KHALED Khan has won appreciation for his bold and diverse roles both in TV plays and theatre. Whatever the role is-- hero, anti-hero or a father figure -- Khaled has the potential to articulate the character.   A spate of colours from Kathmandu Four Nepalese artists, Gajendra Man Shrestha, Ratna Kazi Shakya, Chanda Shrestha and Sushma Rajbhandari had their joint painting exhibit at Shilpakala recently.   A rich archive of Bangladeshi films The weekly cine-magazine Amar Chhobi, aired on channel-i at 6:30 pm every Thursday, will touch the 300th milestone of its journey on June 1, 2006, says a press release.   Cultural programme generating awareness on AIDS In observance of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day 2006, development organisation CCD Bangladesh recently embarked on a five-day campaign programme, titled We are always with you. General Withdraw duty on newsprint Book publishers and traders yesterday demanded withdrawal of all types of duties and taxes on imported newsprint and whiteprint papers.   AL to meet demands of UP chairmen if voted to power Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum yesterday called on the Awami League to give autonomy to UPs if it is voted to power in the next parliamentary election.   Japan to limit foreigners to 3 percent of populatiion A Japanese government panel will propose limiting the proportion of foreign residents to 3 percent of the country's population, officials said yesterday.   Tk 221.57cr RCC budget announced A Tk 221.57 crore budget for Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has been announced for fiscal year (FY) 2006-07. Of the total amount, over Tk 90.9 crore has been shown as revenue income, over Tk 34.   4 killed in road accidents At least four people were killed and seven others injured in Brahmanbaria and Manikganj yesterday.   Bagerhat court asks police to produce Abdur Rahman, Bangla Bhai District and Sessions Judge of Bagerhat Nurunnahar Osmani ordered the police to produce Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) kingpin Abdur Rahman and its second-in-command Siddiqul Islam Bangla Bhaiduring   Cop's pistol stolen Pistol of a sub-inspector of Ashulia Police Station was stolen from a hotel in Tongi Bazar yesterday.   Guard shot in city A security guard was shot by robbers at Demra in the city yesterday.   Savar Bangabandhu Parishad executives Journalist Barun Bhoumik Nayan and Farook Dewan have been elected president and general secretary of Savar Pourasava Bangabandhu Parishad, says a press release. International Nepal king set to lose legislative role Nepal's parliament is expected to consider stripping the king of his remaining parliamentary roles, a lawmaker said yesterday, after voting to withdraw most of his powers earlier this month.   647,000 Indonesians displaced by quake US Marines joined an international effort to deliver aid and medical care to nearly 650,000 Indonesians displaced by a devastating earthquake, as hopes faded of finding more survivors.   Artillery duels rock northern Lanka Heavy artillery exchanges rocked northern Sri Lanka yesterday, a day after the government vowed not to use military action to resolve a long-running ethnic conflict with the Tiger rebels.   100,000 flee homes in East Timor At least 100,000 people have fled their homes in East Timor's capital because of days of violence, a spokeswoman for a group of aid agencies said yesterday.   US ready for talks with Iran if Russia, China agree on sanction The United States is ready for the first time to join talks with Iran over its nuclear programme provided Russia and China agree to sanctions if Tehran refuses to limit its atomic ambitions, diplomats   Pakistan, India agree to release fishermen, civilian prisoners Pakistan and India yesterday agreed to release each other's fishermen and civilian prisoners by the end of next month, a joint statement said.   Kalam returns bill for more vetting India's Congress-led government has suffered an embarrassment when President A P J Abdul Kalam returned to parliament for reconsideration a Constitution Amendment bill relating to holding of office of   Two die in protest over Kashmir boat tragedy Two people were killed yesterday when Indian soldiers opened fire during an angry protest at a Kashmiri lake where 20 children and two adults died in a boat tragedy, witnesses and the army said.   Teen at origin of French youth riots arrested Rioters hurling rocks clashed with police in the rough suburbs of Paris for a second night running as authorities arrested a youth whose injury -- along with the death of two friends -- last year sparked   Gore blasts Bush administration as renegades, extremists US President George W. Bush's administration is a "renegade band of right-wing extremists", former US vice president Al Gore said in an interview with a British newspaper yesterday. Editorial Editorial: ACC staffing The proposed staff and organogram for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been rejected by the ACC itself as an attempt to establish full bureaucratic control over the anti-graft body.   Editorial: Caring for antiquities We are deeply concerned to learn about the deteriorating sate of preservation of some of our prized antiquities including an earthen stove as old as 500 BC at the Museum of Mahasthan in Bogra, one ofthe   RMG sector under siege: The conspiracy theory For two days the country was witness to the destruction that was carried out on our garment factories in Gazipur, Savar and some parts of the capital, which had virtually put the RMG sector under siege.   Mitigating effects of migration The venue for a meeting of the Business Advisory Board (BAB) of the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) at Cairo was an inspired choice.   Shouldn't the CEC resign? The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh is a constitutional body that is responsible for all election matters. Letters to Editor Microcredit & poverty Bangladesh is still facing the problem of poverty, though the government and NGOs are playing a vital role to eradicate this curse from society.   Vulnerable states While countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan are among the world's top 10 most vulnerable states, I'm just feeling happy to see that Bangladesh is not on the list of the failed top ten.   A strange selection policy! As I sat in front of the TV at home, I felt a wave of intense disappointment overtaking me. It didn't leave me for several hours. We lost another ODI meekly to the Mighty Aussies.   Natural gas and our development Recently, Indian investor "Tata Group" has submitted a revised proposal of US$3 billion investment for a fertiliser project in Bangladesh.   Dialogue It has been proposed that one-to-one talks between the secretary generals of the BNP and the AL be held. We hope the government will be flexible and do their own homework for the dialogue.   Opposition programmes From the newspapers of April 23, 2006 we learnt that the Awami League led 14-party combine announced their " Dhaka Siege" programme on May 21.   Weekly holiday We are a moderate Muslim country, not an Arab country. We should switch our weekly holiday from Friday to Sunday.   Voter list Every citizen of Bangladesh, above 18 years of age, has the right to be a voter. If he or she has no mental sickness, no one can ever deny his / her right of being voter.   © thedailystar.net, 2006. All Rights Reserved.