Awami League, BNP open talks over poll; Kerry calls Hasina

Feuding Awami League and BNP today opened talks to resolve the political crisis over Bangladesh's upcoming general election, even as Secretary of State John Kerry called Premier Sheikh Hasina to express US concerns over a move to execute a top Jamaat leader convicted of war crimes.
A four-member delegation each from both the parties took part in the two-hour long meeting at the UNDP project office here in the presence of UN Assistant Secretary General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, who is on a special mission in Bangladesh to end the ongoing political uncertainty.
The Awami League delegation was headed by party General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam while BNP delegation was led by its acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Hectic attempts by Fernandez-Taranco to get the two major parties to agree to a dialogue, Islam and Alamgir officially sat for the first time yesterday on the issue.
Leaders of the two parties did not speak to the media about what they discussed.
Meanwhile, in his telephonic conversation with Hasina, Kerry told her that the execution of Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Abdul Quader Mollah might lead to events which could derail the parliamentary election scheduled for January 5.

"I can confirm Secretary Kerry spoke with Sheikh Hasina today about current events in Bangladesh," US Embassy spokesperson Kelly McCarthy told media.

An official of the premier's office also confirmed about the call, only saying that they talked for a few minutes.
But the Daily Star and several other newspapers reported that Kerry conveyed US concern about the violent impact of possible execution of convicted Mollah for 1971 war crimes as the country already witnesses widespread violence over polls.
The reports said Kerry told the premier that Mollah's execution could trigger further violence that could put question mark over the elections.
The BNP led 18-party opposition alliance launched a series of protests demanding Hasina's resignation and the postponement of the elections.
Last month, the Awami League formed a multi-party interim government to conduct the polls. The opposition alliance has rejected the formation of a non-party caretaker set-up, saying polls under Hasina's watch will not be free and fair.

Former military ruler H M Ershad, whose Jatiya Party is a key ally of the Awami League-led grand alliance, had announced that his party would boycott the polls due to the lack of a proper atmosphere. His decision is being seen as a major jolt for Hasina.