BANGLA-ZIA 2

"... It was rather harmful for us... what was made public
in the joint communique alone proves that she returned home
giving everything possible to India," Zia said.

The opposition leader was particularly critical of
allowing India port facilities, alongside Nepal and Bhutan,
saying this deal "not only affected the country's sovereignty,
but also exposed Bangladesh to economic vulnerability in the
longer term".
Asked how the decision to offer the facility would cause
the problem, Zia said "you will see when the time will come".
She said the revenue profits from "renting out" the ports
could not benefit the economy of a country with 150 million
population and rather it would "affect the industrialisation
process and squeeze the export".
The ex-premier, who served two terms from 1991-1996 and
2001-2006, alleged that she was herself in favour of regional
connectivity but her arch rival had offered "corridors to
India in the name of regional connectivity".
"We cannot accept everything to be India oriented or
India-centric," she said.
Hasina Saturday night had criticised Zia's Bangladesh
Nationalist Party for alleging that she had "compromised the
national interest".
"I have succeeded in my mission as Bangladesh's interests
have been protected cent per cent," Hasina had said.
She defended the deals, saying they paved the way for
enhanced bilateral and regional cooperation to fight "poverty,
our common enemy". PTI AR

AHM


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