The two days of talks with the third round being held today, indicate a degree of progress in the talks where, we are pleased to note, all the issues have been taken into consideration in totality to address the political impasse that the nation faces today. Without that, at the risk of sounding pessimistic, we are afraid we may be looking down the barrel of political uncertainty, with all its attendant ramifications.

All of us are waiting very eagerly, with bated breath, for a positive outcome of the talks. The fever-pitch interest of the man on the street demonstrates the very high stakes in the talks. We are sure that the political parties also realise that the dialogue cannot fail and for them much is at stake too.

On the success of the talks depends the democratic future of the country, something that cannot be lost on the two major political parties either. And in this regard we reiterate once again what we said not very long ago, that the parties must approach the matter with an open mind, and with an attitude of give and take because displaying inflexibility can only be counterproductive, the ultimate sufferer will not be any particular political party but the people of Bangladesh. It would do well for the parties to keep in mind that the decisions that result from the talks should not only address the current political standoff, it must cater for unforeseen situations of the future also.

What we would like to request the two political parties is that the current congenial atmosphere, under which the two parties are meeting, reportedly after 11 years, must be allowed to continue. Nothing that may be construed as a pressure tactic or to convey negative signals in what is said or done should be allowed to occur.

The talks must not fail. There is too much at stake in its success for all of us.