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There are a few basic principles which make a country honourable in the eyes of the international community. A country essentially needs an honest government which is transparent and accountable and follows pragmatic policies. Its politicians should be educated and enlightened. Poverty is a disadvantage definitely but it does not essentially lower the status of a nation in the eyes of the international community. No one can expect respect and honour when a government takes advice from others on how to run the country. This situation would not have arisen if the Bangladeshi politicians knew their responsibilities.
   The foreign donors now know that Bangladesh does not have the capability to chart its own way of actions. The government has failed to create a moral standard to be respected by the donor nations. Their moral bankruptcy is so sordid that even their own people don’t believe them. Earlier, the World Bank used to make the fiscal policies for the government and now the foreign diplomats based in Dhaka guide the local politicians. This is a shame and there is no quick respite from this.
   This government or any new future government will not be able to create a new face soon. The whole situation is so despicable that this state of shame will continue for a long time.
   It is beyond the capacity of the foreign minister to control the situation. By hugging a foreign diplomat if he can draw some sympathy for the country, let him do that.
   Akbar Hussain
   Toronto, Canada

At last the election commission has decided to go door to door to update the voter list. I hope it works out well. But I don’t think it is a permanent solution. In my opinion, to end all disputes, the EC should think about a voter ID card with coloured photo and computerised voter database for the future.
   Here are some benefits of these:
   1) It would control fake votes because of the colour photo on the ID card.
   2) Voter ID card can be used as a citizen ID card. For example, people can use it to get different government services.
   3) A computerised database can be easily updated.
   4) This database can be used by other government agencies as well. For example, it can be used for law and order or planning purpose.
   I hope the EC will consider these suggestions.
   Mainul Quadery
   West Bakalia, Chittagong

I refer to ‘Dirty democracy’ and ‘It is not dirty democracy’, (Feedback, July 8 and 12 respectively) by two respected correspondents. If western taxpayers refuse to give money to Hamas which ‘stands for the violent removal of a sovereign state’, that is their right; no one can force them to do otherwise, except perhaps their own conscience.
   Interesting thought comes to mind. I cannot help reflect: why should western taxpayers give money to a government (their own included) that actually (not just rhetorically) removed sovereign regimes by violent war and in the process violated international law?
   More than that, why deny arms to those who fight illegal occupation but pour lethal arms into ‘democracies’ to launch terror attacks to kill suspected militants and children alike? Since when few states and their citizens are above law while all others are supposed to be under law? And why terrorise banks to stop channelling money donated (by others) for humanitarian relief to the Palestinian refugees?
   Humanitarian instinct is just human, have been with mankind since history began; it is neither western nor eastern. But when used with political motives it becomes less humanitarian but more hypocritical. Let us have the integrity and courage to call a spade a spade –– that goes for both ‘us’ and ‘them’.
   Hussain
   Dhaka