Volume 4 Number 285 Tue. March 16, 2004       Home  News Today's Index Front Page Business Sports Point-counterpoint Metropolitan National International Culture Views Editorial Letters to Editor Write to Editor Sections Others About Us Contact Advertisement Supplements Archives Editorial   Editorial National convention Dissent is the soul of democracy The national convention of politicians, lawyers and civil society leaders passed off peacefully on the back of the noisy disturbances that the launching of an alternative political force had witnessed   Editorial Punishing verdict in Spain Election result repudiation of Iraq war In a stunning turn-around, the Spanish electorate voted Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar's Conservative party out of power and replaced them with the opposition Socialists in Sunday's general election. Post Editorial   Beneath the surface Quota abolition: Does it constrict or contribute? Abdul Bayes A seminar was held recently at the World Bank office on the implications for Bangladesh of abolishing textiles and clothing export quotas.   Byline Virtuous recycle M.J. Akbar Awag pointed out that Saturday March 13 might be the first time in the history of cricket that 14 Muslims would be on the same field. He got it slightly wrong.     Advertisement