Government stalwarts including Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni yesterday came down heavily on the London-based magazine 'The Economist' for publishing reports on Bangladesh what the ministers termed false.
"The Economist published news on free and fair elections of Bangladesh after the overwhelming victory of the Awami League-led grand alliance in 2008 election. But forgetting that report, it has published false news about the country after getting money from drugs and arms smugglers and militants," Matia alleged.
She was speaking at a discussion at the National Press Club. Samyabadi Dal organised the discussion marking the National Mourning Day on August 15 with its General Secretary Dilip Barua, also the industries minister, in the chair.
The Economist published a report titled 'India and Bangladesh: Embraceable You' in its recent issue (July 30-August 5). In its latest issue, it carried out another story titled 'The poisonous politics of Bangladesh: Reversion of type'.
Matia said, "Today or tomorrow The Economist will realise that its' latest news on Bangladesh was false and fabricated."
The minister said democracy and peace are prevailing in Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India and many face problems with peace and democracy in these countries.
"If peace prevails here, they [vested interested quarters] could not be able to smuggle 10 trucks of arms, increase militancy in Bangladesh that's why propaganda has been made against Bangladesh."
Addressing the discussion, Dipu Moni questioned about the political instability. "There is no evidence of political instability in the country. Opposition party is trying to create crisis in the country."
Opposition party is conducting its movement only to serve personal interest, to save someone's house, laundering money or some people from cases. "Such movements are not indicator of political instability", said the foreign minister.
She alleged that a quarter spreading negative propaganda against the country when the country is marching towards the development achieving 6.7 percent GDP.
The industries minister echoed same opinion with the foreign minister.
Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique and Awami League organising secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim also spoke.
Source : The Daily Star
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