2007年VOA标准英语-Leadership Battle in Bangladesh Turns to Courts

By Steve Herman
New Delhi
23 April 2007

Bangladesh's former prime ministers Khaleda Zia, left, and Sheikh Hasina

Judges in Bangladesh are stepping into a dispute the country's interim¹ government and two former prime ministers that has threatened to send the two into exile. VOA's Steve Herman reports from New Delhi.

The lifting of an arrest warrant Monday, issued the day before, against former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina does not appear to clear the way for her to return to her country.

That is the assessment² of legal analysts³ in Dhaka one day after Ms. Hasina was prevented from boarding a flight in London to Dhaka, on orders of Bangladesh's military-backed interim government. That ban on her return appears to be separate from the now-suspended murder charges.

Barrister Abdur Razzaq in Dhaka says the former leader is unable to return for political reasons, while the courts may want her to return to face charges. If the charges are reinstated, she could be in the bizarre position of being a fugitive⁴ who cannot turn herself in.

"There are two conflicting things going on. On one criminal case, process has been issued against her. And on constitutional issues, the government says 'we don't want to see you here.' So it's cat and mouse, hot and cold," he said.

Hasina, in a VOA interview from London, insists she has every right to return home to face charges stemming from the deaths of four people in a political riot last year.

Sheikh Hasina was prime minister from 1996 to 2001.

Her archrival, former two-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia also faces legal troubles. She has been under virtual house arrest while her two sons have been detained.

Dhaka media on Monday first suggested she was packing to leave the country, but later reports say she has now refused a deal to go into voluntary exile in exchange for leniency⁵ against her sons.

Legal expert Razzaq says her fate could be decided⁶ Sunday when a court will require the government to explain why to she is under house arrest.

"The government will be asked to show cause. If the government couldn't satisfy the court, the court will say, 'well, she's free to move around Bangladesh.' About the other thing, that she has a deal with the government [to go into exile], this is all behind the curtain," said Razzaq.

The interim government, as part of its anti-corruption drive, is trying to rid Bangladesh of the so-called battling begums a reference to the two women leaders who have polarized politics in Bangladesh for decades.

More than 160 top political figures have been arrested since a state of emergency was imposed on January 11. The interim government says it intends to hold parliamentary elections before the end of next year.

It is also trying to make clear that it no longer wants either Ms. Zia or Ms. Hasina to be a part of the political process.

1 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

2 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

3 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

4 fugitive   

adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者

参考例句：

• The police were able to deduce where the fugitive was hiding.警方成功地推断出那逃亡者躲藏的地方。
• The fugitive is believed to be headed for the border.逃犯被认为在向国境线逃窜。

5 leniency   

n.宽大（不严厉）

参考例句：

• udges are advised to show greater leniency towards first-time offenders.建议法官对初犯者宽大处理。
• Police offer leniency to criminals in return for information.警方给罪犯宽大处理以换取情报。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。