I am writing with reference to the letter: ‘Rising oil prices and Obama’s chances of being president,’ by Rashed Ahmed (August 10).
   In this context, it may be pointed out that the rising oil prices are actually a blessing in disguise. Because of rising oil prices, most advanced countries are forced to look for renewable energy sources.
   As long as oil prices were low, there was hardly any need for investing massive resources for the development of such abundant but still expensive renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
   Rising oil prices have finally forced the advanced countries to invest in solar, wind and biomass energy sources. Germany is a case in point.
   Thanks to its aggressive push into renewable energies, cloud-covered Germany has become an unlikely leader in the race to harness the sun’s energy. It has by far the largest market for photovoltaic systems which convert sunlight into electricity, with roughly half of the world’s total installations.
   And this has been possible thanks to rising oil prices and Germany’s total dependence on foreign oil. With wind, biomass and other alternative energy also growing, Germany derives 14.2 of its electricity from renewable sources.
   Scorched by a tropical sun, Bangladesh is blessed with abundant solar energy that Germany can only dream of. Bangladesh should seek German assistance for developing its abundant solar energy.
   German firm Q-Cells Ag, which is
   the world’s largest maker of solar cells, can help develop solar energy in Bangladesh.
   And Germany is not alone. In the United States, the call for renewable energy is growing, again because of rising oil prices.
   And the oil prices are unlikely to go down as many of today’s oil-exporting countries like Indonesia, Ecuador and Mexico are now facing dwindling production and becoming net importers.
   Mahmood Elahi
   Ottawa, Canada

The miserable condition of Banpara-Hatikamrul road reminded me of the famous line, ‘when Rome burns Nero fiddles’. When the general people suffer, the government remains nonchalant. After the long tedious journey, we reached Savar only to face the never-ending notorious traffic jam of Dhaka. It almost took two hours to reach Farmgate from there. Then walking by the eye-shaped front garden, I entered the Islamia Eye Hospital and knowing that I had to wait for the ticket counter to open till 5 pm, I went to the nearby makeshift hotel whose owner was speaking his mind to a person. His issue was exactly what I was complaining about — Dhaka’s traffic jam, unplanned city planning etc.
   At 5.30 pm the doctor examined my right eye and prescribed some medicine. I was pleased getting such quick and proper service. However, what frustrated me was the nightmarish return journey through Dhaka’s traffic jam and Banpara bypass ordeal. At certain spots the driver was compelled to use the separate lower lane meant for light vehicles. The passengers were cursing the government which is regular in collecting toll but is totally indifferent about improving the conditions of these roads.
   If my fantasies came true, I would build flyovers all the way from Savar to Dhaka, demolish all the unplanned structures and everything that cause traffic jam and pollution. I would construct high-quality roads so that while travelling I could sleep a sound sleep or write a sweet song or poem remembering my loved ones. Will it remain merely a dream, or will it ever come true?
   Abdus Subhan
   Lalpur, Natore

At around 7:30am on February 17, after I had just reached the Humayun Rashid Square at Kadamtali in Sylhet, a tank-carrying lorry of the Bangladesh army, coming down the Fenchuganj Road down the wrong lane, hit me and the rickshaw I was on. The lower half of my body and the rickshaw were crushed under the wheels of the lorry. The lorry stopped about 500 yards off the spot. Two uniformed men got out, looked at me, got back in and the lorry drove away. Whereas they should have arranged for me to be sent to hospital, the army men displayed their sense of responsibility and integrity by fleeing the scene!
   Later, some people hailed a CNG-run auto-rickshaw and took me to a local clinic. The on-duty doctor quickly had me sent to Osmany Medical College Hospital. I was in such a critical condition that the doctors at the hospital immediately operated on me and then asked my family to have me shifted to the National Orthopaedic Institute hospital in Dhaka as soon as possible. Accordingly, I was sent to Dhaka on the same day. I was under treatment at the orthopaedic hospital for about four months.
   Meanwhile, when my family went to the local police station to file a general diary, the police declined on the ground of the prevailing state of emergency. My family also contacted the Sylhet cantonment and the army contacted my wife and younger brother over mobile phone.
   Then it all went quiet. More than a month had gone by since the accident in the meantime. My family had to borrow heavily from relatives and, at one point, sell off the automobile workshop I had built up bit by bit. Once the communication with the Sylhet cantonment went dead, my wife wrote to the Comilla area commander of the army, the director general of the DGFI and the chief of army staff. An intensive investigation followed. The rickshaw-puller, witnesses and even employees of my workshop were interrogated. The investigation officer found that our contention was valid and went back assuring us that the army would follow up on the matter.
   After I returned to Sylhet in a better condition after four months of treatment, the army called my wife to the Sylhet cantonment and offered her a cheque of Tk 10,000 in compensation for my losses. My wife rejected the offer. Now I want a few answers.
   Accidents happen all the time, but why did the army personnel flee the scene without taking me to hospital?
   If I had been admitted to the Combined Military Hospital, since it was the fault of the military in the first place, I would not have to expend all my life’s savings. But why did that not happen?
   Is it not a farce to try to compensate my losses with a meagre Tk 10,000 cheque?
   Now that I have spent all my savings, who will ensure the security of my family?
   Would anyone in a responsible position of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh respond to my questions?
   Saquib Ahmed Chowdhury
   Kadamtali, Sylhet

The government now appears to be confused and also seems to have its back against the wall regarding the release of Khaleda Zia. It is widely speculated that the government tried to negotiate with Khaleda Zia and in parallel tried to buy some time to get what they want. It is suffice to say that the negotiation did not gain them much and the secret talks now hit the snag due to Khaleda’s tough stance against their biased and ridiculous behaviour.
   Everyday people are hearing words of wisdom and optimism from the advisers (especially from Qader and Zillur) but no actions to follow. This is not only frustrating for the BNP (and the 4-party alliance) but people in general are getting fed up with the drama played very poorly by the present administration.
   The health conditions of Tarique Rahman may deteriorate fast and compel Khaleda Zia to go for drastic actions like street agitation etc. This will not only create a pre-1/11-like atmosphere but will leave no alternative to the government other than ditching the constitutional path.
   Does the present regime want that and fully comprehend the consequences? Will the government spare us the drama and release Khaleda as soon as possible?
   Tanvir
   USA

Power sector need not be in grave crisis if it is handled professionally. That is by a professional manager, of course. By the look of it this does not seem to be the case at present nor was so in the past. A good bureaucrat is a good bureaucrat and not necessarily a good business manager. The same applies to a good engineer, unless trained and proven to be so.
   Our energy sector has reached this pitiable state because of mistakes made in the past which continue till date. Coal could be our saving grace but the leasing out process was not transparent and was corruption-ridden as is learnt from press reports. The authorities were always tight-lipped and gave out only limited information on rare occasions. Coal could very well be the alternative to natural gas. But both these are in limited stock. We could also explore renewable sources and join hands with the researchers abroad. We hear a lot about nuclear energy but see no real action regarding this.
   Despite all these lapses we should not give up. For industrial (where foreign investment is prospective) usage, imported furnace oil can be a consideration if gas supply remains uncertain. New industries should be advised to arrange dual fuel provision and import their own furnace oil when necessary.
   When there is a crisis, look for alternatives instead of giving up.
   Haq
   Via e-mail

Over the weekend we saw, sadly, the typical hooliganism of the so-called ‘student’ politics when members of the BNP-affiliated Jatiyabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) went on a rampage on the streets of Dhaka demanding the release of under-trial former premier Khaleda Zia. Private property, cars, and stalls of small shopkeepers were destroyed by this action of the ‘pro-democracy’ forces. I wish I could say that this was an exceptional circumstance. Sadly, the wanton destruction of private and public property has been the modus operandi of the JCD cadres since the inception of that organisation, with the propensity of vandalism going up several notches when the BNP is not in power.
   This is proof positive of the dire need of reforms being promulgated in the amended Representation of the People’s Order. A political party in a republican democracy cannot claim to be part of the civil order and, simultaneously, continue to sponsor and protect a dedicated group of violent cadres. The so-called ‘student’ organisations of political parties, be they the JCD or the Awami League-affiliated Chhatra League or the Jamaat-backed Shibir, are nothing more than organised crime syndicates running under the protection of irresponsible leaders banking on youth muscle power to keep them relevant. They have no place in an independent representative democracy built around a civil society.
   BT
   USA

In Bangladesh there is not much tax culture though the authorities encourage the people to pay taxes. Taxation revenue is the economic backbone of the country. There must be appropriate taxation rules and regulations for businesses, services and properties. Tax should be affordable for everybody. The local governments can play a big role regarding this issue.
   As a country with a population of 150 million, a little tax can make a big difference. In Bangladesh there are many ways people make money without declaring it. If I talk about professionals such as doctors, teachers (coaching centres), even lawyers — many of them take cash without any proper receipts. All businesses, NGOs, foreigners’ work permits, high-salaried jobs should come under proper taxation. Even a small mobile vendor can contribute 5 to 10 taka a day with his business license. Our current system leaves all doors open for piling up undeclared or black money. This is no way acceptable.
   We need to reform this. There are no proper rules and regulations instead many avenues of increasing corruption. Even our ex-prime minister and finance minister forgot to pay their taxes because of lack of enforcement.
   Here in Canada, whether I like it or not, I have to pay my tax according to my income and my property value. There is no way to escape. Tax is taken from rich people to help the less fortunate ones. This balances the society. That is the purpose of taxes. Mismanagement and lack of leadership are the big barriers in Bangladesh. Most politicians, not all of them, make their fortune via corruption and their only target is power, not building a better Bangladesh.
   Good investments, reduced wasting, a balanced budget could save us from incurring deficit. Avoid unnecessary advice from foreigners; remember, they look after their interest first. Only strong, honest, and smart leadership will lead the country forward.
   Nokib-E-Kibria
   Toronto, Canada

We wish to thank BTV for airing the Beijing Olympic Games for several hours each day. Perhaps, this is the first time BTV has undertaken such a massive venture.
   However, we request the BTV authorities to kindly remove the BTV World logo from the left to the right side of the screen so
   that a game’s progress chart showing the score, time, etc. are not obscured by it. Several well-known channels always do this during sporting programmes whenever their logos clash with the graphics relating to the programmes.
   Ellen Khan
   Sydney

I feel very happy at the news of Bangladesh winning ‘a silver’ medal in the Beijing Olympics for its national anthem. It is an unexpected recognition that out of 205 national anthems, Bangladesh’s name came second after Uruguay. It is indeed a great honour for our country.
   Bangladesh also made history by its Language Movement. February 21 has been declared as the International Mother Language Day and is being observed throughout the world.
   We indeed are a proud nation.
   Nur Jahan
   Chittagong

On August 8 2008, South Ossetia attracted world’s attention when the Russian military forces entered Georgian territory and seriously interfered in the Georgian-South Ossetian unresolved conflict. This conflict is well known to the world; the current Russian military intervention has helped amplify the dispute.
   South Ossetia is a small region in the South Caucasus within the territory of Georgia. It has been a de facto independent entity since its declaration of independence as the Republic of South Ossetia in 1990. However, South Ossetia continues to be a part of Georgia since it was not diplomatically recognised by any member of the United Nations.
   Georgia was part of the Soviet Union from 1922 until its independence in 1991. Since its independence from the Soviet Union, Georgia has been facing many difficulties: first, there was civil unrest and economic crises; then came a revolution in 2003 when the then president of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze was ousted from power; and, finally, the unresolved secessionist conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russia’s allied regions.
    The genesis of the current situation lies in the 1918-1920 Georgian-Ossetian conflict. Later, in 1922 the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast was created following Soviet occupation of Georgia. In the 1980s, the conflict was followed by rising nationalism in the former Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, the South Ossetian desire for greater autonomy, Ossetian demand for unification with Russia’s North Ossetia and persistent Ossetian declaration of independence.
   The Georgian-South Ossetian ethno-political conflict escalated into civil war in January 1991. War was fought between Georgian government forces and ethnic Georgian militias on one side and South Ossetian secessionists and North Ossetian volunteers on the other, with periodic participation of Russian military forces. Russian officials, including the then president of the Russian Federation, Boris Yeltsin, made supporting statements for Ossetians.
   In May 2004, Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili offered humanitarian aid to both Georgian and Ossetian population in South Ossetia and promised to give the region broad autonomy. However, that did not stop violence.
   In January 2005, Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili presented a new plan for resolving the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict. This proposal included broader forms of autonomy, including a constitutional guarantee of free and directly elected local self-governance.
   In September 2006, South Ossetian forces opened fire at a Georgian helicopter carrying Irakli Okruashvili, the minister of defence of Georgia. South Ossetian de facto government confirmed their troops were responsible for the attack, alleging that the helicopter had entered their air space. Later in September 2007, Irakli Okruashvili was arrested on charges of extortion, money laundering and abuse of power while still Georgia’s defence minister. A Georgian court found him guilty and sentenced him to 11 years imprisonment in absentia. However, Okruashvili did not go to jail, he was granted political asylum in France.
   In August 2007, a new conflict occurred: the Georgian missile incident. This time the incident was between Georgia and Russia. Georgian government said that two Russian fighter jets violated its airspace and fired a missile which fell on the edge of a village of Tsitelubani, near the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone, but did not explode. Russia denied this allegation and said that Georgia may have fired the missile on their own territory as a way of provoking tension in the region.
   On August 1, 2008, after two months of continuous Georgian-South Ossetian fighting, the South Ossetia war involving Georgia, Russia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia began.
   On August 8, following several days of heavy fighting between Georgian army and South Ossetian militants, in which around 1500 civilians, 15 Russian peacekeepers and dozens of South Ossetian militants were killed. Russia responded by moving its troops across the Georgian border, bringing tanks and artillery into South Ossetia.
   According to Russian officials, their main aim was to defend Russian citizens in South Ossetia and force the Georgian government to accept peace and restore the status quo. Russian officials also stated that its army was acting within its peacekeeping mission in South Ossetia, and in line with the mandate issued by the international community. Tbilisi also stated that it was now responding to Russia’s aggression.
   On August 9, conflict between Russia and Georgia escalated, and on August 10, Georgian troops retreated from the capital of South Ossetia.
   In relation to the current situation in Georgia, the international community issued many statements: in general, it is calling upon the warring parties to respect international law, and for an immediate end to the armed clashes and resumption of direct talks. In New York, at Russia’s request, an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council was held, but failed to reach an agreement on immediately halting of fighting.
   Both Georgia and Russia traded accusations against each other. While Georgia accused Russia of invading it, Russia accused Georgia of committing genocide against South Ossetians.
   According to the latest development, there are some pertinent questions that should be asked. These include: a) Will the United States seize the opportunity in the current situation in Georgia and use it as an excuse to invade Iran, since they are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan? By the way, Iran is right in the neighbourhood.
   Will the NATO and the EU intervene, and in which form?
   a) Will Russia use the Kosovo situation as an example for South Ossetia?
   b) Is this war a prelude of larger Euro-Asian conflicts?
   It is still not quite clear what will happen next. However, one thing is obvious: no country will dare to use military force against Russia, especially not in isolation.
   Ivan Simic
   Belgrade, Serbia