Draft
speech for the H.E. Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chaudhury,
Hon'ble Adviser for Foreign Affairs, Govt. of Bangladesh,
at the Japan National Press Club,Tokyo
on 26 February 2008 at 1355 hrs.
Mr.
Chairman,
Distinguished Members of the Japan National Press
Club,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Kon-nichi-wa
and good afternoon. I am very delighted to be amongst
you today at this prestigious venue which has hosted
illustrious leaders and personalities from all over
the world. I am grateful to the Japan National Press
Club for giving me this opportunity to speak on The
Making of Foreign Policy: Bangladesh Perspective Focusing
on Bangladesh-Japan Relations. My brief presentation
will cover elements of continuity and future directions
of Bangladesh as well as our relations with Japan.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
The foreign policy of Bangladesh, as of any country,
is a product of its own history, experience, exigencies
and challenges. It is also molded by conscious choices
made to secure and further vital national interests.
The declared objectives of Bangladesh's foreign policy
are to promote national security, protect its territorial
integrity, achieve socio-economic development, uphold
its image and maintain its cultural identity and national
dignity. These goals today are challenged in various
forms by the process of globalisation.
The
genesis of Bangladesh's foreign policy can be traced
back to the Proclamation of Independence (10 april
1971) - an unqualified commitment to the Charter of
the United Nations and an undertaking to "observe
and give effect to all and obligations that devolve
upon us as a member of the family of nations".
The
thrust of our diplomacy during the War of Liberation
was directed primarily at mobilizing world opinion
in favour of our struggle for freedom and establishment
of the democratic will of our people. This left a
permanent imprint on our foreign policiy and the Constitution
provides that Bangladesh shall base its international
relations on the principles of respect for national
sovereignty and equality, non-interference in the
internal affairs of other countries, peaceful settlements
of international disputes, and respect for international
law and the principles enunciated in the United Nation
Charter. Renunciation of the use of force in international
relations and for general and complete disarmament
is an avowed goal as is upholding the right of every
people to freely determine and build up its own social,
economic and political system by ways and means of
its own free choice. We also support oppressed peoples
throughout the world waging a just struggle against
imperialism colonialism or racialism.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bangladesh's
relations with her neighbours have always been of
vital interest not only for their implications for
national security but also for the positive contribution
they may make to the realization of our legitimate
economic interests. Bangladesh pioneered regional
co-operation in South Asia and considers SAARC to
be a vital instrument for consolidation of peace in
the region, accelerated development, establishment
of cooperative links and harnessing of resources for
our common good. As a founder member of D-8 and BIMSTEC
Bangladesh played important roles in the formation
of these two regional organisations. We have also
strengthened our ties with our East Asian neighbors.
We are a member of Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD),
and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Bangladesh is
continuing its endeavour to develop closer involvement
with ASEAN and other regional forums and therefore,
has recently signed the instrument of accession to
the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South East
Asia.Despite limited resource, we have maintained
a robust presence in the Non-aligned Movement (NAM),
the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) and the
Commonwealth.
Multilateralism
is central to Bangladesh diplomacy. Bangladesh has
been in the forefront of all multilateral initiatives,
within the UN and in other multilateral forums, to
enhance peace, promote dialogue and encourage cooperation.
Bangladesh attaches special importance to the need
for UN reforms and has been engaged in the ongoing
process.
Since
joining the UN, Bangladesh was elected as member to
its various organs and has contributed constructively
and in a positive manner. Bangladesh was elected as
a non permanent member of the Security Council for
two terms 1979-1980 and 2000-2001. As the current
chair of the LDC Coordinating Bureau in the United
Nations - elected in October 2007 - Bangladesh is
actively engaged in promoting and protecting the interests
of the least developed countries. In recent years
Bangladesh also played a crucial role as the facilitator
on the issue of UN reforms inculding the expansion
of Security Council.
Ladies
and gentlemen,
Bangladesh
has a unflinching commitment to universal and inalienable
human rights. Any society committed to democracy requires
the recognition and enforcement of human rights, and
in Bangladesh the fight against corruption and the
strengthening of the rule of law go hand in hand with
the protection of human rights.. The Caretaker Government
has therefore taken the decision to establish a National
Human Rights Commission to ensure that our laws and
public institutions reflect international standards
and norms of human rights. We were elected to the
newly constituted UN Human Rights Council in 2006.
We
remain resolute in our relentless campaign against
international extremism and terrorism. Bangladesh
recently acceded to the International Convention for
the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. We are
now a party to all terrorism-related UN conventions,
a testament to our commitment to fighting terrorism
in all its forms. On the domestic front, we have taken
stern measures against militant groups and their patrons.
In particular, we categorically reject the claims
of those who cloak themselves in the rhetoric of Islam
to justify terrorism. Bangladesh is steadfast in its
commitment to curb religious fundamentalism in all
its manifestations.
Ladies
and gentlemen,
Bangladesh
has consistently been one of the top troop contributing
countries in UN peacekeeping operations. Our peacekeepers
have earned accolades for their contribution. We are
confident that Bangladesh will continue to play a
leadership role in multi-dimensional peacekeeping
efforts, and we are ready to provide "comprehensive
deployment packages" in future peace operations.
We also remain active in the UN's peace-building endeavours
in post-conflict societies. We warmly welcome the
Secretary General's timely initiative to restructure
the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The world
is witnessing a natural evolution from monitoring
of peace to multidimensional tasks of peace building,
democratization and development. As one of the largest
troop contributing countries (TCCs), we strongly feel
that the TCCs should have an equitable representation
and play a greater role in deployment and other strategic
decisions.
The
UN is in the midst of a continuing evolution. It is
our collective responsibility to make the world body
more relevant to the present day context. The Secretary-General's
report on system-wide coherence presents several useful
recommendations in this connection. We, however, feel
that the reform exercise should focus on the requirements
of achieving the MDGs. We also recognize that the
speed of reform must be gradual. It must reflect upon
what is needed by the UN, in terms of financial and
human resources, to foster development. Keeping in
mind that developing countries differ greatly in their
political, administrative and social structures, the
reform exercise must take into account this diversity
and allow individual countries to determine the structure
of the UN at the country level, the representation
of different UN agencies and their country programmes.
We must not undermine the identities of individual
UN agencies, including their mandates, independence
and institutional integrity.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
There is now greater engagement of Bangladesh with
the West. With the United States, there is a shared
commitment in seeking effective response to terrorism.
Equally important is the redefinition of US engagement
in the region. Our relations with the United States
are strong both on political and economic fronts.
Bangladesh has traditionally maintained strong political
and economic relations with the countries of Western
Europe, which continue to flourish. Our partnership
with Europe is based on history, our shared commitment
to promote human values and aspirations. The EU is
by far the largest destination of our export as well
as the source of FDI. We also have a very strong and
fruitful bilateral relationship with Japan.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
There is an ongoing redefining and elaboration of
the economic focus of Bangladesh foreign policy. Today,
the economic thrust is as vigorously pursued as the
political and security imperatives. The immediate
impact of the the cataclysmic events of 11 September
2001 was destabilization and deepening of the world
economic recession, which after 7 consecutive years
of high growth, left the world in disarray. The terrorist
attack intensified the economic crises, shattered
collective confidence and bred a chain reaction of
suspicion. Even prior to nine-eleven, during the last
decade of the 1900s and into the new millennium, economic
compulsions have been dictating foreign policy initiatives
in the changed geo-political realities.
Foreign
policy being a dynamic process, we are making a paradigm
shift in our external relations. Globalization has
already had profound implications on our ways of life.
Economic forces and markets especially the mobility
of capital, labour and business have transcended national
frontiers. The science and technology continues to
close the information and communication gap. It is
encouraging to note that in a global survey Bangladesh
ranks as one of the top countries in favor of globalization,
despite the enormous challenges it poses for us. We
cannot but adapt to fresh ideas and new trends to
ensure peace, freedom of choice and development for
our people.
Ladies
and gentlemen,
We
have recently articulated a 10-point foreign policy
plan. We are for strengthening a balanced relationship
with the neighbouring nations and member states of
the SAARC and BIMST-EC, and developing linkages with
the Association of South East Asian Nations, European
Union, Organization of the Islamic Conference and
the Commonwealth. Bangladesh will strenthen relations
with the five key global powers - the USA, Japan,
Britain, Russia, and China. We will also play a greater
role in the UN by enhancing participation in peace-keeping
and peace-building. Bangladesh will actively espouse
non-proliferation and disarmament. Bangladesh will
devote to secure unimpeded entry of its products into
foreign markets, and favorable trading regimes through
WTO mechanisms. It will work to attract foreign direct
investment in the country, locate new markets for
skilled and semi-skilled workforce and seek foreign
assistance for nuclear power for peaceful purposes.
The country will look to utilizing its rich intellectual
and cultural resources to advance its foreign policy
interests.
The Bangladeshi diaspora numbering over four and a
half million spreading all over the world ranging
from world class professionals to low-skilled workers
have greatly prompted the furtherence of our interactions
with the outside world. In Japan too, there are more
than 10,000 Bangladeshis engaged in various activities.
They are making valuable contributions to the strengthening
of people-to-people contact and are building a strong
bridge of friendship between Bangladesh and Japan.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In
sum, the fundamental objectives of Bangladesh foreign
policy are - the preservation of our independence
and sovereignty, ensuring economic progress, consolidation
of our existence as a politically stable, moderate,
democratic, responsible and contributing member of
the international community. As a forward looking
developing country, Bangladesh has tried to strengthen
the process of peace and democracy, encouraging dialogue
and negotiations, and called for reformation of the
international order for protection and promotion of
the interests of all nations, specially the developing
ones. Bangladesh is a strong advocate for bridging
the gap between the west and the Muslim world. As
a low-lying coastal state, threatened by global warming
and climate change, we have also been proactive in
international fora for urgent and concerted efforts
to meet the challenge. As the leading voice within
the LDCs, Bangladesh has always played an active role
for protecting and advancing the interests of these
countries and very recently it has been re-elected
as the chair of the group.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would now like to highlight our strong freindly
ties with Japan which occupies a central place in
our foreign policy. Bilateral relations between Bangladesh
and Japan are an excellent example of successful and
harmonious relations between a developed and a developing
country. And this mutually beneficial relations have
grown in substance over the last three decades. The
Japanese people supported the people of Bangladesh
during the war of liberation and expatriate Bengalis
in Japan played an effective role in mobilising public
opinion in favour of our cause.
Japan was among the first countries that recognized
Bangladesh and both countries opened Embassies in
each other's capital in early 1972. Bilateral relations
and cooperation have steadily grown since then based
on mutual good will and respect. Japan is our most
important development partner. The people of Bangladesh
have strong affinity for Japanese people for their
achievements, rich culture and high work and moral
ethics. Bangladesh also did its best in reaching
Bangladesh and Japan have very close multilateral
ties with shared views on many key international issues.
Both our countries have important contributions in
the UN peace keeping operations and are active in
international fora for promotion of world peace and
stability. Bangladesh supports Japan for a permanent
membership in the Security Council.
Over
the last 35 years Japan has been greatly instrumental
in our economic infrastructure building; poverty alleviation
efforts and human resources development. Japan assists
Bangladesh in wide ranging sectors for improvement
of the quality of people's life, faster economic growth
and enhancing human security. It is actively assisting
Bangladesh in providing our people better access to
basic needs. Japan is involved in environment, health
care, disaster preparedness sectors, and institutional
and individual capacity building in improtant government
agencies. The Japanese Foreign Ministry, you perhaps
know, considers Bangladesh as a role model of successful
utilization of ODA.
Over
the years, Bangladesh and Japan have signed a number
of agreements to strengthen and institutionalize bilateral
cooperation between them. Japan is also a major source
of investment and foreign trade for Bangladesh but
the level is still well behind the potentials. Both
sides are at work to improve the situation through
various platforms but new approaches and initiatives
are necessary to encourage the Japanese entrepreneurs
and businessmen to take advantage of opportunities
that already exist and potentials that are emerging
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Yesterday, I held extensive discussion with Foreign
Minister Masahiko Koumura in bilateral, regional and
international contexts. As we reviewed our relations
of the past three decades and a half, both our sides
were confident that the bilateral relations will continue
to flourish in the years ahead. We are now in a position
to focus on the potentials of a strong partnership
between Bangladesh and Japan towards international
peace and prosperity on long-term basis. In this context
we welcome the renewed interest of Japan in South
Asia where Bangladesh is a natural partner.
I
availed myself of the opportunity to explain to Foreign
Minister Koumura the raison d'etre of the present
caretaker government in Bangladesh and its far reaching
initiatives in establishing sustainable democratic
culture, good governance, rule of law and transparency
in my country. We also discussed Japan's possible
contribution in addressing our environmental problems
emanating from global warming and climate change together
with other developmental issues. I am satisfied with
Japan's total understanding and assurance of full
support.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
There
is no alternative to a proactive, moderate and liberal
foreign policy for Bangladesh to adress the challenges.
Despite some of its setbacks, Bangladesh has achieved
considerable success in improving the quality of life
of its people and has not hesitated to take principled
stands on critical international issues. The steadfast
commitment of Bangladesh in promoting the goals of
sustainable development - growth, equity and conservation.has
been well reflected in the global discussions. We
are determined to play a strong role for establishment
of a pro-poor, pro-equity and participatory world
order.
Bangladesh is now well poised for making a major break
through in development and attaining the MDGs by 2015.
We are seen as one of the next eleven emerging economies.
Our efforts for sustainable democracy are continuing
- strong democratic institutions, such as free press;
independent judiciary, NGOs and a strong civil society,
have developed in the country. Liberal attitude is
a strong trait of our character. All these reflect
the strong positive values and deep inner strength
of Bangladeshis derive from the long history of its
economic, political and cultural prominence in the
region. In keeping with this tradition Bangladesh
has not only pioneered the concept of micro credit
as a poverty alleviation tool but also presented to
the world the International Mother Language Day and
the innovative concept of the non-party caretaker
government.
Ladies and gentlemen,
This
in nutshell puts Bangladesh foreign policy and Japan-Bangladesh
relations in perspective. I would be happy to respond
to questions you may wish to ask.
I
thank you. Arigatou-gozaimasu.
