Bismillahir Rahmanirrahim
Assalamu Alaikum.

The BNP-led alliance government completes its fourth year today. We are now stepping into our last year. Four years ago, you elected us to office with a huge margin. You gave us the responsibility of running the statecraft. We always received your support while discharging this responsibility. We got your cooperation. For this, I extend my gratitude to you at the very outset. I am optimistic, you would continue to render us assistance, cooperation and support in the future as well.

Please accept my best wishes on the occasion of completing four years of our government.

I have repeatedly said, I am saying it again today -- the present government is your government. We brought democracy after crossing one-party rule and by overcoming autocratic governance. Our sole responsibility is to work according to your will. To run the country in accordance with your hopes and aspirations, I am appearing before you this blessed evening to give an account of and provide clarifications on the extent of our successes, and lack of it in some areas, while discharging that task.

At the same time, I want to say something on the prevailing situation in our region as well as in the globe.

Side by side, I shall tell you about the coming days -- about some of our plans for the future.

Now, the holy month of Ramadan is in progress. Many of you are fasting by enduring hardship. I felicitate the fasting people.

I extend my autumnal greetings to the citizens who are followers of Hinduism on the occasion of Durga Puja.

I extend my best wishes to the adherents of all other religions as well.

Brothers and Sisters,
In this month of purification and self-discipline, we should exercise restraint not only in deeds but also in words. So I shall not increase your toil by taking too much time.

I shall ask you to recall the circumstances four years ago. What was the situation when we took over the responsibility of governance?

Recall the economic condition of the country. The situation in the stock market and foreign currency reserve!

Recall the state of education. The textbooks of children and public examinations!

Think of the state of trade and commerce then. You must all surely be recollecting the incidents of extortions and tender-piracy. You certainly have not forgotten the condition of roads, ports and communication network.

Please try to remember the intolerable situation created in cities, towns and ports by traffic jams and environmental pollution.

It was you who used to quip so many jokes out of deep anguish at the terrible predicament in the supply of water, electricity and gas.

The process of building industries and factories had almost stopped then. The unemployed youths could not get new work or jobs. The Bangladeshis working abroad were being sent back home.

Partisan politics, propaganda and personality cult were getting more importance, bypassing the problems faced by the masses. In all areas, their focus was mostly on politicisation along party lines.

And you all had direct experiences of law and order. I only want to remind you a bit about those fearful days.

You wanted to free yourselves from that situation. You wanted a change of government through ballots in the hope of a healthy, normal and peaceful environment. At that time, I could feel your pulse by travelling from one corner of the country to another.

We did not compromise with terrorism after assuming office.

During the past four years, we have waged a relentless battle against terrorism. We took strong measures one after another. We framed special laws, courts and forces for ensuring stringent punishments of crimes and criminals. We took initiatives for raising the efficiency and strength of existing forces. Special operations were conducted with their participation.

I shall not give too long a list. You all know them and have also benefited from them. So it is not necessary to debate on the difference between the situation obtaining now and the state of affairs four years ago.

It is seen from the history of our land and the experiences of other less developed countries that the big criminals find refuge and indulgence with the ruling party in many instances. Sometimes, the leaders and workers of the ruling party engage in horrendous acts of terror. The common people become helpless. The forces deployed for maintaining law and order become dysfunctional.

We did not allow that to happen. Stringent measures were taken against our own party-men whenever they were found to commit any crime. I have remained resolute about establishing rule of law and ensuring the security of your lives, properties and honour. I have never back-tracked on the question of maintaining peace in public life even in the face of criticisms and antagonism. I am giving you word, I will not be soft on any kind of crime or criminal in the future as well, by the grace of Allah.

Conscious Countrymen,
Just at the moment when we were stepping into the doorway of success in establishing peace in society and public life through diverse, tough and realistic initiatives, Bangladesh has been attacked with bombs at that very juncture. The bombings have commenced anew.

You all know, these bomb attacks had started at various places of the country when we were in the opposition. At that time, many innocent people had to die because of bombings at various places of worship, offices and public meetings of political parties, musical programmes and newspaper offices. Many more were injured and crippled.

The criminals involved in these mysterious attacks had remained hidden in most cases. Although intense political campaigns were waged against opponents at that time centering on those incidents, none of the criminals were caught or identified.

We took initiative to bring the bombing culture and the bombing era to an end after assuming office. But we could not fully stop the bomb blasts resorted to by the opposition for making their programmes, including strikes, a success.

These blasting of bombs centering on political programmes have encouraged others as well. Bombings and subversive attacks have returned in the cover of programmes intended to forcibly evict an elected government within a deadline, ignoring the established norms of democracy.

We have faced and thwarted the conspiracy to unseat the government with the unwavering support of the people. We have upheld democracy, which was achieved through huge sacrifice. But we could not be careful about the bombers who have emerged simultaneously at the same juncture. I express my regret for this administrative and intelligence failure. We have already started various programmes with the objective of overcoming this failure.

I express my deep sympathy and condolences for those who were killed or injured by these bomb explosions.

In one of the incidents, an honoured guest and foreign diplomat was attacked. The people of the country were deeply embarrassed by this.

These bombings have tarnished the image of the country outside.

These bomb attacks have struck at peace and security in public life.

Especially, the reputation of the religion of peace -- 'Islam' -- has been tainted. This is because, the bombers wanted to hide their real intent and identity behind the masks of a sacred religion.

But we could comprehend their aims quite clearly.

Their aim is to tarnish the reputation of Bangladesh. Consequently, they are the country's enemies.

Their purpose is to scare the people of this country. To disrupt peace and social stability. Therefore, they are against peace.

Their intention is to stop the country's progress, social and infrastructure development and investments. So, they are the enemies of development.

Their goal is to create hindrances in democratic governance. Therefore, they are against democracy.

The majority of this country's population is Muslims. These terrorists have put these very people into difficulty. It is therefore clear that these attackers are the enemies of Islam, Muslims, and in other words the whole of humanity.

These bombers have tried to prove as true the propaganda of those people who have waged a campaign of disinformation and untruths against Bangladesh during the past few years.

Consequently, we can understand where their roots lie, whatever clothing they may wear.

It is not difficult for Bangladeshi people to comprehend their motives and the instigators behind them.

We have therefore, taken the initiative to tackle these bombers with a firm hand for the sake of the country and Islam, for people who uphold religious values irrespective of creed, for safeguarding development, democracy and peace.

Many have already been arrested. We now know the identity of bombers. It has also been possible to identify the main schemers. I can tell you, we shall be able to eliminate this bomb-terrorism as well from the country by the grace of Allah.

The Islamic intellectuals have supported the government steps by taking a stand against bomb attacks under the cover of sacred religion. I thank them all.

I extend my thanks to the citizens of other communities holding religious values, for their unfailing cooperation.

We have maintained peace, friendship and amity in this country with the cooperation and unity of all. We shall uphold this glorious heritage at any cost.

My Dear Countrymen,
Come; let us all tell the whole world in one voice: Bangladesh is on the side of peace. There is no place for religious or any other kind of extremism here.

Whether they are Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists or Christians, the people of this country have faith in religious values. But we have never tolerated preaching, spreading or instituting religion through bombings, nor shall we tolerate these in future. Our sacred religion Islam does not approve of it.

In this context, I deem it necessary to dwell on another theme. Terrorism is today an international problem. Not only Bangladesh, the developed countries are also facing the challenges of poverty, unemployment and social discrimination, especially in education which have to be reduced fast if the basis of terrorism and bombing is to be uprooted. Your government is working on the matter with full awareness. Quantitative improvements have been brought about in these fields within a very short time. Sincere cooperation of all and some more time is needed if qualitative improvements in the situation are to be made. Today, I seek that cooperation and time from you all.

My Dear Countrymen,
As you know, the government has to mainly pursue two kinds of tasks. Firstly, the government itself does some development and welfare-oriented work and helps the people advance on the same path. Secondly, the government restrains itself from doing any unfair act or offence, and stops others from doing so.

Today I can tell you in unequivocal terms, we have set innumerable examples of success in development and welfare-oriented work during the past four years. We also strove to maintain a distance from injustice and crime. But it is also true that we have not been successful in curbing injustices and crimes in all areas of society.

In this context, I have already talked about terrorism. Now I shall speak a few words on corruption and prices of essentials.

The task of curbing corruption has all along fallen on our shoulders. Corruption was a most talked about issue among many other problems before the responsibility of running the country was reposed on Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in 1976. He succeeded in tackling that corruption.

The subject of corruption in Bangladesh again became a topic of discussion in the international arena before we assumed office in 1991 and 2001. We have not been so successful during the past four years compared to the successes achieved in curbing corruption during our tenure of 1991-96. The reason is, corruption had proliferated at all levels.

For freeing society from this infectious diseases, we took the initiative to bring transparency and accountability in government transactions, trade and commerce, before anything else. After that, whenever any anomaly was observed, we took remedial steps against that.

In the meantime, we have constituted the Anti-Corruption Commission. The Commission has started working. It is we who have taken this courageous initiative for the first time in Bangladesh. I believe, this Commission would become stronger, more capable and more effective through accumulation of experience. It would play a dominant role in curbing corruption.

I believe, the intensity of corruption is decreasing compared to the past because of adoption of multifarious steps. But it is not easy to erase a bad impression in the minds of the foreigners, once it is instilled in their kinds. Besides, some news items are published in the newspapers of our country on the basis of motivated allegations of people who gets beaten in business competitions. On many occasions, the vested quarters spread concocted tales in the shape of rumours or gossips with ulterior motive.

For these reasons, our achievements in checking corruption are not all that visible. But this situation would change. I want to say with firm conviction, I am discharging with honesty the responsibility you reposed on me based on your faith on the issue of eliminating corruption. I shall not allow anybody the opportunity to spoil this sacred trust you reposed on me.

Struggling Countrymen,
The government is not a business establishment. Neither does it produce commodities. The scope for government control over the market in a free-market economy has diminished manifold. Even then, you expect the government to take measures so that the prices of commodities remain low. It is the responsibility of the government to see to it that the people do not suffer. With that objective, we have been trying to decrease the prices of essential commodities by reducing or eliminating taxes and in some cases by providing subsidies. Despite that, the prices of some goods occasionally rise. One major reason is that the prices of many products, including fuel, edible oil and steel, have increased in the world market. These have to be imported at a higher price.

On the other hand, the production costs of many items have also risen in the country. The prices of rice and vegetables slightly increased in order to give fair prices to the farmers. We occasionally took the initiative of selling rice at a lower price in the open market so that low-income people did not suffer much. The distressed are provided with multifarious assistance.

I know, increased pressure is exerted on your income if prices of goods rise at various times. We therefore, have taken various initiatives for enhancing the purchasing power and financial capacity of people. The income of our countrymen has now increased because of various economic programmes. Their salaries have also been upped.

Here, I would like to cite an example. Those who are older, please recall the experiences of 1974. At that time, most people did not have the ability to purchase rice.

As a result, there was famine. Many people had died then due to hunger and intake of improper food. But now, people can feed themselves by purchasing food. Nobody has to remain unfed. It means their capacity has increased. The difference lies here. The big question is -- whether the purchasing power of people has risen -- and not the price of products. So I shall tell those people who like to wage campaigns on the pretexts of temporary rise in prices of goods, please take into cognizance the increase in purchasing power of people while making comparisons of price levels. Despite this, we are making all-out efforts for ameliorating the sufferings of the masses.

My Dear Bangladeshi Brothers and Sisters
There is no similarity between the present situation and the global scenario in vogue when we assumed office in 2001. Previously, a stable and typical situation was prevailing. But the world was severely jolted by the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon in America and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The situation has completely changed now. International assistance for the developing countries has waned.

Tremendous pressure was exerted on our economy. The prices of oil and commodities rose very swiftly. The quota for our readymade garments and other products in the USA was abolished. No country is free from the adverse impacts of these. We had to perform during the past four years within such an unstable and unfavourable global regime.

Not only in economy and trade, we face a hostile scenario in all directions. Therefore, it is not proper to compare the changed state of affairs of the past four years with the normal circumstances existing before 2001.

Even in this precarious situation, we are crossing many risky terrains with caution. We did not allow any imbalance to creep in. We have upheld the independence-sovereignty of the country as well as national dignity and distinctiveness. We did not bow down to any pressure. Our source of strength has remained firm faith in Almighty Allah and profound confidence in our people.

Despite so many hindrances, we succeeded in creating one milestone after another on the path of development and welfare during the past four years with the cooperation of you all.

Development is a theme which needs no elaboration. This is because you can see it, feel it, comprehend it for yourselves, and can decipher the difference between the past and the present. Therefore, I will present before you today only some of our notable accomplishments.

Bangladesh has achieved maximum success during the past four years in the field of poverty alleviation. Previously, the rulers of this country had brought in huge amounts of money from abroad by capitalising on the poverty of men. But that money was not spent for the welfare of the poor. Many people had become rich by obtaining slices from it, while the condition of the poor had remained the same.

Your government has changed this scheme. We have decided that our principal target would be elimination of human poverty. With that objective, we have tagged the subject of poverty alleviation to all our programmes in the ministries and divisions. The main purpose of our development is to eradicate human poverty.

Doles and assistances are not sufficient for that. We have made arrangements for providing credits, trainings and employments. Through this, the incapacitated hands have become mobile, people have started working, and their incomes have risen. The whole world can see this success. They are saying, Bangladesh is no longer poor. Bangladesh has now joined the row of middle-income countries.

Today I can tell you, Bangladesh will become an affluent nation within the next fifteen years by the grace of Allah, if we can sustain the country's forward march and no calamity strikes us in between.

Side by side with poverty alleviation, we have taken initiatives to increase the country's resources. We have launched a social movement for enhancing the volume of our traditional resources like trees, fish, cattle and poultry.

With your cooperation, we have filled the country with greenery by making the tree plantation campaign a success. This has led not only to increase in our resources, much headway has also been made in the conservation of environment and ecology.

The scarcity of fishes and the crisis of cattle have also diminished a lot. The import of milk and fruits has declined.

Alongside increase in resources, we are utilising the natural and mineral resources for the country's prosperity. By the infinite grace of Allah, Bangladesh has entered the mining era through our efforts. A thermal power station has been set up at Barapukuria by using coals extracted from the mine.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The progresses made by Bangladesh in the fields of education, primary and mass education and women's education during the past four years have been acclaimed all over the world. You would also acknowledge that the quality of education has improved. Presently, no proliferation of unfair means is observed in public examinations. The students have become more attentive. The pass percentage in exams has risen. The meritorious are being evaluated properly.

We have made maximum budgetary allocations for the education sector during the past four years. We have reached the text-books to the doorsteps of students before the start of academic years. We have expanded the stipend programme. We have made arrangements for free education for girls up to class twelve. We have plans to extend it up to the undergraduate level in the future.

Side by side, we have taken many steps for the welfare of teachers. Ninety percent of their salary is being paid now from the government exchequer. Around 61 thousand teachers have been brought anew under the MPO programme. It is our government who has introduced festival and retirement allowances for the teachers and employees. Positive changes have been ushered in due to these steps. The rate of drop-outs in primary education has declined due to the programmes undertaken by us. The number of pupils is on the rise. Of them, the proportion of boys and girls is now equal.

My Dear Countrymen,
It is an established fact that massive developments take place in the infrastructure sector when we are in power. This has been once again proved during the past four years. The present government has built many new roads-ports and bridges-culverts for putting in place an easy and smooth communication network. The air of Dhaka is now free from the menace of black smokes and lead. New transports now ply on its roads. Dhaka has now become a beautiful, clean and enchanting city.

My Dear Countrymen,
The number of beds in government hospitals throughout the country has been increased manifold during the past four years. X-ray and ECG machines have been supplied. Ambulances have been provided. Necessary medicines and clinical equipment are being given. Innumerable physicians and nurses have been recruited.

A number of ultra-modern hospitals have been set up in the country during the past four years. These hospitals have been established by private entrepreneurs with government patronisation. As a result, difficult and complex diseases can now be treated within the country. I extend my thanks to these entrepreneurs.

Bangladesh has achieved tremendous success in the field of sanitation within a very short time. We have made much headway compared to other countries of Asia.

The people have once again started using jute bags after the banning of production and use of harmful polythene shopping bags. It has a positive impact on our jute market. The farmers are now getting good price for jute.

A drive against adulteration is now in progress in capital Dhaka and other areas. The persons who jeopardise the lives of our people by adulterating food, medicine, drugs and drinks are also a type of terrorist. We are taking tough measures against them. New laws have been framed with the goal of meeting out harsh punishments to the producers and sellers of counterfeit or adulterated food. This campaign against adulteration would continue.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The government has taken many steps during the past four years for the growth of agriculture and peasants. We have increased cash-support in the agriculture sector. During last financial year alone, at total of Tk 13 billion was given as subsidy. The amount of agricultural credit has increased while the rate of interest has been reduced. Fair price of agricultural commodities has been ensured.

Due to our steps, a conducive environment has been created for investment and industrialisation inside the country. As a result, the foreign investors are showing keen interest to invest in Bangladesh. Large industrial groups from various countries, including the United States, China, Thailand, Japan, India and the Middle East have already come forward with investment proposals worth thousands of crores of Taka.

Quantitatively, these foreign investment proposals are the highest ever in the history of Bangladesh. The wheels of our economy would move forward substantially if these investments are executed. From a least developed country, Bangladesh would then become an industrially developed nation. Many people would find jobs. Unemployment would diminish.

The devastating floods of 2004-05 and the abolition of quota system for readymade garments throughout the world have been an enormous challenge for our economy. We have succeeded in maintaining balance in our economy management after tackling these challenges with firmness.

Newer opportunities for employment have been generated during the past four years. The closed doors of foreign employment have once again been opened. Thousands of youths have gone abroad with jobs. Flow of remittance has increased.

Officers are being inducted through BCS exams in government services. Due promotions of government officers were previously blocked. We could promote many officers at different levels by sorting out that clot. This process would continue. Thousands of people have been appointed to vacant posts in the ministries and departments. New appointments to government-semi-government jobs totalling almost 80 thousand have been made during the past four years.

I would like to tell you with pleasure that in addition to these, employment opportunities of almost 2.5 million jobs have been created in various sectors and services including agriculture, industry, communication and education during the past four year.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Bangladesh can claim major success in another area. The females of this country do not lag behind anymore. They are moving ahead by keeping pace with the males. We have attached priority to the development of our womenfolk. We have taken a number of realistic measures for the socio-economic growth and empowerment. Vocational training and credit are being provided to urban and rural women under different projects. Through this, women are becoming self-reliant and their families are getting a taste of affluence.

The educated and unemployed women are being imparted trainings on computers and other subjects. The distressed and abandoned women are being provided with financial assistance.

Many of Bangladesh's children were trafficked outside the country after falling into the hands of traffickers. Our government has brought back many of them through diplomatic efforts. Efforts are on to bring back the rest as well.

My Dear Countrymen,
New pay scales for the government employees have been announced and implemented. We have taken various initiatives and measures for the welfare of the aged and freedom fighters.

A success of Bangladesh, which is not talked about much, is now being discussed throughout the globe. After the assault of Hurricane Katrina in the USA last August, people of the world could realise how adept Bangladesh was in tackling natural disasters. This achievement has been widely discussed in America itself.

Bangladesh is now acclaimed all over the world for its nationwide economic growth, human resource development and natural disaster management.

The armed forces of Bangladesh are not only rendering disaster assistance within the country, their roles in tsunami-affected lands have brightened our profile. The successes of our soldiers in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations are also being appreciated by all.

These successes are not merely of the 4-party alliance, they belong to all countrymen. We could achieve these successes because you extended all-out support and cooperation to us.

We have many sorrows and problems. But our successes, achievements and potentials are also not insignificant.

Look at Bangladesh today. Modern offices, markets and apartment complexes made of cement, steel and glasses have been built in the metropolis and other towns. Bricks have now been planted on the dusty roads of villages. The communication network of pucca roads have now been extended throughout the country. Motor vehicles, modern coaches and trucks are running over these roads. The bright light of electricity has removed the past darkness of remote villages. The children are rushing to schools in groups, wearing clean clothes. The youths are getting engrossed in work. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had worked to build such a vibrant Bangladesh. We are also performing that same task.

I have full faith in the enormous energy of the people of Bangladesh. I am of the view that they can transform their own fate as well as that of their nation if they get an opportunity. We have provided them with that opportunity. We strove hard during the past four years only to show them the way and create a proper environment. We will continue to do that job in the coming days as well.

My Dear Countrymen,
It is unfortunate that evil attempts are already being made by some quarters to destabilise society, jeopardise democracy and make the Constitution ineffective. We shall foil their attempts by the grace of Allah.

You have chosen democracy as the mode of running the country and elections as the means of forming a government. We shall safeguard these two modes and methods chosen by our people. But we shall not ignore any well-considered and logical proposals put forward by the opposition. For this, they need to return to parliament. I urge them to do that once again.

In the modern-day world and democratic societies, politics is the driving force for the present and the future of a nation. This politics is being used for dividing the nation and making the parliament stagnant. This politics also instigates terrorism and violence. But we must make this politics decent and refined for the sake of democracy, our present and our future. So, dear countrymen, please exert the weight of public opinion by not bowing to political pressures so that politics becomes nice and refined. Let politics tread the path of logic instead of force.

Only then could we attain economic emancipation.

This Bangladesh of ours would become an economically powerful country and politically stable and socially peaceful land.

Come; let us all advance towards that cherished goal.

Allah Hafez.
Bangladesh Zindabad.