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What US delegation may discuss

Sunita Paul - 5/2/2008

According to latest news received from Dhaka, US Assistant Secretary of States, Mr. Richard Boucher and Counter-Terrorism Department's Coordinator and Assistant Secretary Dale Daily are expected to arrive in Bangladesh on May 7 on a 3-day visit.

During the visit, the US officials will observe the pre-election situation in the country (Bangladesh), trial process of the detained politicians (whether human rights are followed in these cases), and whether human rights are being violated during State of Emergency. They will also assess Bangladesh's ability and preparations in combating terrorism (Islamists terrorism too).

Mr. Boucher and Mr. Dale Daily will meet Chief Advisor Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Fopreign Affairs Advisor Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, army chief General Moeen U Ahmed, chief election commissioner Dr. ATM Shamsul Huda, and Home Advisor Major General [Retired] M A Matin.

It may be mentioned here that, for past several days, authorities in Dhaka are continuing to show angry attitude towards United States and the West and it is evidently seen that the country is gradually slipping towards anti-West block. Bangladesh, reportedly has reached into an agreement of receiving China's cooperation in nuclear technology. Although both capitals are claiming that such cooperation shall be only for helping Dhaka in resolving the existing power crisis, experts are seeing the entire scenario in different angle. China extended nuclear technology to Pakistan through one of their local scientists few years back. It is well assumed that Dhaka is now set to become the third nuclear power in South Asia after India and Pakistan.

Here, everyone may have two reasons to be anxious. One is, Bangladesh is the country already affected by notorious Islamist terror groups. It was even reported in many places that Al Qaeda already entered Bangladesh through Nepal and are funding and patronizing several Bangladeshi organizations secretly. Secondly, Dhaka is under a unique military rule. Authorities although are claiming themselves to be civilian interim government, every naïve even knows that the country is in reality run by army. And of course, there is valid reason for army being in such command. The country witnessed series of misrules under democratic governments and people at one stage even lost their minimal faith on politicians. There was a time, when becoming a minister or an individual with links in the top level in the government, was considered as key to becoming millionaire and billionaire. At least sixty three percent of the houses and apartments in today's Dhaka are basically owned by corrupt politicians or officials. The country ranked the top chart as most corrupt nation in Transparency International's annual report for five consecutive years. Although the situation was changed in 2006 and 2007, it is again anticipated that Bangladesh's name will appear in the top list of most corrupt nations in 2008. Although army's anti-corruption drive initially gave a huge blow on faces of corrupts, gradually things are becoming easy for many people and high profile corruption stories are once again coming from the country.

There is also news of rise of leftist militancy and ethnic insurgency in Bangladesh. Army chief Moeen U Ahmed termed the sudden re-appearance of ethnic insurgency in the country as 'conspiracy' of vested quarters, it is alleged that, some wrong policies or actions of the government with the ethnic minority groups were liable for such re-birth of insurgency in the country. On the other hand, rise of leftist forces in Bangladesh always remained beyond attention of the Western countries and policymakers for some reason. One of such reasons is, most of the foreign missions in Dhaka (particularly Western countries) have employed mostly former Communists or former leftists.

It is already learnt that leftists and Islamists have already made alliance in Bangladesh. And, for such reason, in most cases, information on either leftist operatives or Islamists in the country are not genuinely reported by the employees either with Western missions or news agencies. Such trend may give Bangladesh the excellent opportunity of ultimately emerging as the safe haven of Islamists and leftists.

Mr. Boucher and Mr. Daily will surely discuss many of the bilateral issues. They will also try to understand Dhaka's willingness in holding the next general election within the stipulated period. But, they too also need to know as to why Bangladesh maintains silence in taking action against notorious Islamist groups like Hizb Ut Tahrir, Jadeed Al Qaeda or Khelafat Majlish. They also need to know the fact as to how Bangladeshi under ground leftists are regularly recruited by Maoists in Nepal for training and orientation.

The US officials may also put special emphasis on understanding the fact of repression of press in the country. Dhaka ranks at the top of the list as most dangerous press for journalists.