Dawn
11th February 1969
Nasrullah meets Ayub to seek clarifications:
DAC still undecided about dialogue:
Mujib’s participation, demands of students under discussion
From MAHBUBUL ALAM
DACCA, Feb 10: The Convener of the Democratic Action Committee, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, today met President Ayub Khan, at his own request, and discussed with the President for about an hour, matters relating to the projected political dialogue between the President and the Opposition.
The Nawabzadah parried questions by newsmen when asked what he discussed with the President. But informed circles later indicated that he sought clarifications on certain specific points from the President, including the question of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s participation in the talks.
The Central Information Minister, Khwaja Shahabuddin, who was present during the DAC Convener’s meeting with President Ayub, Later said that they discussed preliminary matters. He added that the meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere. Later Nawabzada Nasrullah informed the Central DAC meeting about his discussions with the President. Earlier, the resumed meeting of the Central DAC had been adjourned to allow the Nawabzada to meet the President.
After hearing the Nawabzada’s report, the Committee adjourned to meet again in the afternoon, but the deliberations were again adjourned till tomorrow morning, after passing several resolutions. After the one-and-a-half hour session, the DAC spokesman, Mr. Mahmud Ali, told Pressmen that Nawabzada Nasrullah had discussed the political situation in the country with the President.
Asked whether the Nawabzada would again meet the President, Mr. Mahmud Ali said he may, if found necessary. But he added that nothing had been fixed so far.
MEETS MUJIB
The Nawabzada, accompanied by six Awami League leaders, also met Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Dacca cantonment, for 90 minutes in the afternoon today. It was his second meeting with the Awami League leader, now undergoing trial for alleged complicity in the Agartala Conspiracy case, in four days. The DAC convener may again meet the AL leader, being present at the conference table. The DAC meets again tomorrow morning amidst reports that the discussions had run into difficulty following the Six-point Awami League’s firm assertion that they would not participate in the proposed dialogue without their leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Awami League representatives on the DAC are reported to have told the evening session of the DAC held at Mr. Nurul Amin’s residence that they wanted Mr. Mujibur Rahman being present at the conference table. Its representatives on the Central DAC are also reported to have reiterated, at the evening session of the Committee held at Mr. Nurul Amin’s residence, the demand for withdrawal of the Agartala Conspiracy Case.
Mr. Mahmud Ali later conformed that this was also discussed at the meeting. But he Added that the withdrawal of the Conspiracy Case was not part of the DAC’s three pre-conditions for the holding of the dialogue. These pre-conditions, he said, were: the withdrawal of the state of emergency, the release of political prisoners, and the restoration of civil liberties, including removal of restrictions on the Press and ensuring Press freedom. He however, declined to comment when asked if the Six-point Awami League had put forward any condition for its participation in the dialogue.
Asked whether they had discussed the question of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s participation, he said, “We have not reached the stage when we can think of selecting persons.” At present they were waiting for the implementation of the three pre-conditions.
Among the DAC partners the general consensus seems to be that they should go to the conference table. What however, stood in the way of their immediately announcing a decision was the issue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s release.
Some DAC leaders have noted, evidently with some measures of satisfaction, that except for two of their eight points others have either been accepted or are on the way of being accepted. It may be recalled that the DAC leaders in a joint declaration in Dacca had laid down eight points without the realisation of which they decided not to participate in the elections. Except for the first two points, namely, a federal parliamentary system of Government and direct elections on the basis of direct adult franchise, other points have been met or are being met by the Government. The eight demands included withdrawal of emergency; repeal of all “black laws”, particularly those providing for detention without trial; release of all political detenus and prisoners including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Mr. Wali Khan and Mr. Z.A. Bhutto and withdrawal of “curbs” on the press including the withdrawal of confiscation order of presses and rescinding of orders of cancellations of declarations.
A DAC source told this correspondent that should the DAC decide to participate in the talks (it is almost certain that it will), they will press for the implementation of the other two demands.
While it is yet too early to say what the DAC leaders will ask for at the conference table, the current speculations boils down to this that in all probability they will demand the dissolution of the present National Assembly and general elections on the basis of direct adult franchise. There was also speculation about the possibility of an interim national Government if the talks succeeded.
The DAC leaders in the course of their deliberations yesterday night as well as today are stated to have taken into consideration the programme of parties outside the DAC and the demands of the student community. While the DAC leaders felt that leaders like Maulana Bhashani and Mr. Z. A. Bhutto should be invited by the President formally for attending the proposed talks to make the Opposition representation complete, they also noted the demands of the students voiced at yesterday’s unprecedented public meeting.
STUDENTS WARN
The student speakers warned the Opposition leaders that they would not be allowed to comprise the 11-point charter of the East Pakistan Students Action Committee. They also said in clear terms that the leaders must give up the idea of reaching a compromise at the conference table on the fundamental demands. The students said the leaders could, however, suggest, at the proposed conference the scrapping of the present Constitution and the election of a new Parliament on the basis of election through direct adult franchise.
A section of political opinion thinks that the DAC leaders can at this stage afford to ignore the students only at the risk of their own political future. If the size of a public meeting is any index of mass support, the students proved yesterday that they commanded no less support than any Opposition parties, if not more. In fact they declared that the present movement was not of the Opposition’s making but solely of the student community’s. Whatever may be the merit of this demand, the fact remains that there is great force in what the students say.
While these problems stare the DAC leaders in the face, Maulana Bhashani has made their problem all the more difficult by going all out in support of the students 11-point demand and virtually rejecting the dialogue proposal.
সুত্র: সংবাদপত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু: পঞ্চম খণ্ড ॥ ষাটের দশক ॥ চতুর্থ পর্ব ॥ ১৯৬৯