Bangladesh Foreign Minister’s USA Visit

Bangladesh Foreign Minister’s USA Visit
Bangladesh Foreign Minister’s America visit drew much attention and importance from all corners. During the visit her comments were picked up by American media and the Washington Times dedicated a special segment on her women’s rights. Hillary Clinton organized an iftar party in her honour proving their honour for our culture. Dipu Moni said US-Bangladesh relationship had undergone a transformation from aid dependence to an economic relationship that focuses on trade and investment. In this regard she emphasized on the importance of duty free, quota free access of Bangladeshi products to the US market. Bangladesh could work with the United States in showcasing the progressive, liberal and democratic face of Bangladesh to the international community. She said that in the evolving global context Bangladesh could work the Obama administration to intensify fight against global poverty and extremism, help rebuild broken societies through UN Peacekeeping and peace building efforts and address the challenge of climate change through creative efforts
Hillary Clinton has said “Washington will continue its support to Bangladesh to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions, promote economic development and counter terrorism. “ She also expressed her government’s desire to work with issues relating to climate change, global financial crisis, human rights and empowerment of skills of Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies. “We are united by shared values common interests, and a commitment to work together to strengthen democracy, promote economic development, deny space to terrorists and create a more powerful and prosperous future’-she continued. Terming Bangladesh as a model of empowerment of women and a country with strong and democratic heritage, Hillary said Bangladesh embodied the promise that president Obama spoke of in Cairo. “We are committed to work with you, your government and with the people of Bangladesh for a brighter future.” Really these are encouraging words for us from an important representative of the superpower.
Dr. Dipu also informed the United Secretary of State, “Our resolve is to ensure rule of law, good governance, protect the inclusive and the pluralistic nature of our society, and promote women’s empowerment, opportunities for the young and disadvantaged to attain a level of socio-economic development that would elevate Bangladesh to a middle income country by 2021. We need support and assistance from our friends. Dipu discussed with Hillary various areas of cooperation between the two countries that include enhanced trade opportunities, US investment in Bangladesh, cooperation in the area of counter terrorism and debt relief for Bangladesh. She requested Hillary to give Bangladesh’s products duty-free and quota-free access to US market and sought cooperation in deportation of the killers of Bangabadhu. Hillary said, “ Obama and I look forward to discussing these issues further next week in New York at the United Nations General Assembly.” Hillary said, “We have a vibrant trade relationship now and it has been growing and we look forward to continuing to grow that trade.” She expressed her happiness to see Bangladesh’s good relationship with her neighbours and Moni’s successful visit to India. Hillary, through her skilled diplomatic eyes could understand that Bangladesh needs to establish a really good neighbourly relation with her big neigbours. This is why she appreciated Moni’s visit to India.

Some critics of course view Bangladesh Foreign Minister’s visit to USA as a merely a symbolic one, not a successful one. They put forward some arguments in favour of this claim. “The meeting between Dipu Moni and Hillary Clinton appeared rich in symbolism but poor in substance.”-they say. Joint briefing at the historic Treaty Room of the State Department when asked in what way the relationship could be strengthen and whether there would be any matrix to measure the progress in coming years. Both Moni and Hillary declined to put any comments. The joint briefing by Clinton and Moni was attended by only two reporters-one from Bangladesh and another from AFP which offers a very poor significance in respect for diplomatic relations and media world. AFP reporter did not ask any question regarding Bangladesh issue to Hillary Clinton though the joint briefing was about Bangladesh and American foreign affairs. He rather asked questions about only question the new Japanese government. Again, Moni sought Clinton’s help to include Bangladesh for the Millennium Challenge Account. It’s a multi-billion dollar help for developing countries which are committed to fight corruption and promote democracy. In reply Hillary said “ In order to qualify for the fund the recipient countries must fulfill certain conditions like embracing democracy wholeheartedly, respect for human rights and tackle corruption vigorously . There are still some issues that need to be settled before Bangladesh could qualify for MCA.”Some US officials say that Bangladesh’s request to enjoy duty free access to America’s market is not possible without the backing of the Congress even if the American government is serious about acceding to Bangladesh’s request. Moni’s equest to send Bangabandhu’s killers also did not receive any firm commitment in the plea that US government cannot influence the judicial process of the country. These are the reflections of some weak areas revealed during Dipu Moni’s America visit. Even then, we hope for the best .
But it is true that in Bangladesh the US government is promoting clean energy by participating with the local NGO Grameen Sakti to increase access to renewable energy sources in rural areas. The US government through USAID, is promoting solar energy, fuel-efficient stoves and biogas to reduce the use of imported petroleum products and deforestation. This reduces costs and improves air quality. It is estimated that by 2012 about 500000 solar home systems will be installed in remote areas, providing a source to clean energy to three million people. In addition the US government is supporting the Bangaldesh Energy Regulating Commission to promote professionalism, accountability and transparency which will attract investment into clean energy generation. Finally, US government is helping Bangladesh conserve its tropical forest resources to mitigate the impact of climate change as well as to empower poor rural communities to manage the resources. James F Moriarty, US ambassador to Bangladesh said. These facts and figures bear testimony to the genuineness of friendly ties with Dhaka and Washington.

Hillary Clinton’s a series of praising words for Bangladesh really attaches much importance to further strengthen the existing ties between Bangladesh and the United States of America. She comments, “ As a country with a strong secular and democratic heritage, a record of respect for women, a Muslim majority population, Bangladesh embodies the promise that President Barack Obama spoke of in Cairo. I remember when I visited Bangladesh in 1990s, and I met many dynamic women in positions of responsibility and I saw the way that pioneering microcredit projects really invented in Bangladesh-especially through the Grameen Bank-helped women living in poverty gain self-sufficiency and offered them a better life I saw the government’s efforts to increase access to education for young girls. I saw Muslim and Hindu women sitting down together to talk about their countries’ future. I was very impressed by the commitment I saw to empowering women for which Bangladesh has long been known –Bangladeshi Americans have contributed so much to the culture and prosperity of our country and I know they are eager to do more for their country of origin.”
We must bear in mind that when Bangladesh achieved independence, the world was bipolar. Conducting foreign affairs was then relatively easy but now with the changed perspective of the world order it is very difficult to maintain diplomatic ties with important and powerful countries. She should go forward counting the paces with great care. In no way we can afford to gain displeasure from the present super power of the globe. At the same time we must raise our heads upholding the prestige of our motherland.

Md. Masum Billah
Senior Manager: BRAC Education Programme, PACE
Phone: 9355253(res), 01714-091431(cell)
Email: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com