Statement
by Janab Morshed Khan, MP, Hon’ble Foreign Minister
on Bangladesh Foreign Policy : Vision and Achievement
October 2001-October 2003 at the BIISS Seminar,
Dhaka 25 October 2003
Mr.
Chairman,
Excellencies,
Friends,
We
meet today to celebrate the second anniversary of
the assumption of Office of Prime Minister of Bangladesh
by Hon’ble Begum Khaleda Zia. Thank you very much
for joining us this afternoon. For me, personally,
it is a pleasure and a privilege to be in your midst
once again.
Developments
in international relations over the last 12 months
have been dramatic with far-reaching implications
for everyone, Bangladesh being no exception. The pace
of change in foreign policy approaches in the world
has left many with staggering efforts to adapt and
readjust their foreign policy priorities. New alliances
and partnerships have emerged, some of which having
the potentials of creating instability even in our
region. The challenge for the Government of Bangladesh
in the arena of its foreign policy objectives has
been to respond to the fast shifting global scenario
while remaining firm on the principles and convictions
on which its foreign policy is based.
Success
of the “Look East” Policy
Consolidating
the prospects of the gains for the people of Bangladesh
from the “Look East” policy for the BNP Government
has been the focus during the second year of its office.
The second 12 months started with events that were
aimed at firming up the structure of the “Look East”
policy on the foundations that were laid in the first
12. It started with return visit by the Hon’ble Prime
Minister to our trusted and reliable friend and ally
– the people’s Republic of China. The reception accorded
to her by the Chinese Government was further testimony
to the true nature of our relations with China. The
visit enabled the Hon’ble Prime Minister to not only
recall Bangladesh’s multifaceted ties with China’s
outgoing leadership but also to talk to the new leadership
and chart a course of action for the future. It enabled
both sides to have clear understanding of each other’s
domestic and foreign policy priorities and the manner
in which bilateral relations between Bangladesh and
China would feature in this. The high-powered official
delegation that accompanied the Hon’ble Prime Minister
was reflective of the focus and the importance that
Bangladesh attaches to its relations with China.
It
was also during this period that the Hon’ble Prime
Minister returned the visit of the Prime Minister
of Thailand, Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra with the historic
visit to Chiang Mai followed by Bangkok. The Thai
Prime Minister in an unprecedented gesture flew to
Chittagong to accompany our Hon’ble Prime Minister
to Chiang Mai on the inaugural Chittagong-Chiang Mai
flight. In tangible terms, the visit to Thailand resulted
in the Thai Government’s decision to allow a whole
range of goods from Bangladesh to be imported to Thailand
at zero and in some cases only 5% duty. The “Look
East” policy of the Government is, therefore, beginning
to yield concrete results for Bangladesh economically
and at the same time create new friends for the country
in our surrounding neighborhood.
Our
relation with Myanmar has always enjoyed priority
attention in our foreign policy agenda, Myanmar being
our gateway to South East Asia. Engagements at the
highest political level have been a normal part of
our interactions with Myanmar. The Myanmar Head of
State led a high-powered team of leaders to Bangladesh,
which was followed at a short interval by the return
visit of our Hon’ble Prime Minister to Myanmar. The
decision of this Government to remain constructively
engaged with the Government in Yangon is a well-advised
line of action with far-reaching implications for
all.
A
further success of our “Looking East” policy was the
visit of Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri
from 18 to 20 June, 2003. Indonesia, like Bangladesh,
is a moderate democratic country with a muslim majority
population. The extremely friendly nature in which
official talks were held between our Prime Minister
and the President of Indonesia reflected the commonly
of views and prospects between these two countries
not only on how to address the future of our bilateral
relations but also to perceive and react to the changing
global scenario.
South
Asia
We
have underlined with success that the “Look East”
policy of the BNP Government is a well-thought-out
attempt at achieving the right kind of balance in
the foreign policy area of Bangladesh. While we succeeded
in giving our links to the countries to our east a
firm footing, we remained committed to fostering the
closest of relations with our neighbours in South
Asia, both bilaterally and through the process of
SAARC. The non-holding of the 12th SAARC
Summit until now may have caused the expected disappointments.
We have, nevertheless, remained focused on sustained
regional cooperation through SAARC in a number of
areas. We are now looking forward to the Summit to
be held in Pakistan in January next year.
On
the bilateral front, we have remained constantly engaged
at various levels with India, Pakistan and our other
neighbours. Our relationship with India is a central
element in our foreign policy. We both face similar
challenges and our people have shared socio-economic
aspirations. Not just bilateral political issues but
serious trade and a commerce, transportation links
and a shared sense of addressing all issues candidly
and with an open mind has been the modus operandi
of our relations with our immediate neighbour and
indeed one of our largest trading partners.
President
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga of Sri Lanka visited
Bangladesh in April this year, primarily to reiterate
the intentions of her Government to continue to maintain
the excellent relations that exist between our two
countries. In her talks with Prime Minister Begum
Khaleda Zia, the Sri Lankan President apprised our
Prime Minster of the status on the crucial peace talks
now underway in Sri Lanka and sought Bangladesh’s
support and understanding.
Global
Issues
The
dramatic events of the last 12 months have seen the
United States of America as a key and common element
in their evolution. Our relations with the United
States have, therefore, featured prominently in our
foreign policy radar screen over the last 12 months.
A strong measure of its success was the visit of Secretary
of State Colin Powell to Bangladesh in June this year.
The visit as a testimony to not only the close and
friendly nature of our bilateral ties but also a clear
recognition by Washington of the status of Bangladesh
as a moderate, liberal, practicing democracy and a
role model for communal harmony. The visit also signaled
the realization by the policy makers in the Untied
States of our postures and stance on global issues
that affect us all.
Objectives
of Government Policies and a Vision
The
test of a successful foreign policy are two: it must
have a vision which encompasses principles and protection
of national interests and it must be able to adapt
to change in the international scene without comprising
on the vision.
New
Challenges
Added
to these challenges have been the new phenomenon of
international terrorism, proliferation of small arms,
increased trafficking in drugs and narcotic substances,
and trafficking in women and children. These banes
have increasingly demanded our attention. Assistance
to our expatriate workers in foreign lands, and the
search for new, job opportunities for our nationals
abroad, has taken on added significance. Our response
in each case, has been comprehensive and swift and
with vision.
Globalization:
The need to build up global public opinion in support
of our positions
Any
action, by any country around the world on any of
these issues, has an impact on every other country.
This is an age of globalization. Our world has become
more integrated, and is more interactive than ever
before. Intensified and concerted actions at international
levels, have become an imperative. This requires that
we continuously build up global public opinion in
support of our position. This is the complex web of
foreign policy formulation and its pursuit. These
have kept us engaged.
Vision:
Democracy, rule of law, freedom, human rights,
moderation, tolerance, harmony and welfare of the
people. Friendship with neighbours and strategic relations
We
will dwell more on the issues in a few moments, when
I take your questions. Let me, at this point, give
you a feel of what we have achieved over the last
12 months. Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who leads
and guides us, has a clear vision for the country
and the people. This vision is rooted in the ideals
of democracy, freedom, rule of law, human rights,
moderation, tolerance, harmony and the welfare of
the people. To achieve what we must achieve, we have
to ensure stability at home as well as in the neighbourhood,
and beyond. We must have meaningful friendship, first
and foremost with the countries around us. We must
have friendship with the countries with whom we interact,
in the peripheries of the region., And we must have
friendship with the countries with whom we interact,
in the peripheries of the region. And we must have
friendship with like minded countries around the world.
These are the direct objectives which we pursue as
a matter of policy, agenda, and indeed as a matter
of course. We also build and nurture strategic relationships.
We are quite clear that we must extend every cooperation
to every nation around the world especially to our
friends. Our severe resource constraints have not
deterred us from this course. That is why we have
stood with the international community in its hour
of travail.
For the same reasons, we have spoken out repeatedly
for a full and speedy implementation of the Road Map
for peace in the Middle East. For the very same reasons,
we have not hesitated to contribute troops for UN
peacekeeping operations worldwide. Bangladesh, as
you know, is among the biggest troop contributor to
UN peacekeeping operations. Our voice has unwaveringly
been for peace, moderation and justice.
Resolution
of problems through dialogue and consultations
We
act on the unshakeable belief that problems between
and among countries can on be resolved through dialogue
and consultations. The use of force without legitimacy,
or the threat of its use, cannot solve problems. They
can only complicate the situation. We pursue this
belief staunchly with our immediate neighbour and
strongly advocate this among others as well.
Central
role of the United Nations
We
recognize full well that unilateral decisions and
actions, by any country or group of countries, cannot
provide lasting solutions to problems in the world.
Such unilateral actions cannot meaningfully address
the problems of international peace and security.
This premise is specially valid if the security of
small and economically disadvantaged states have to
be ensured. The central role of the UN must, therefore
be restored and be enforced. The Security Council
must remain the sole legitimate arbiter on the questions
of international peace and security. It alone must
be the authority to decide on the use of force. This
is what we stand for. This is what we try top convince
our friends to support. This was and remains our consistent
stance on the question of what is happening in ;Iraq.
Need
for fair and equitable world trading regime to solve
economic and social problems
Poverty,
illiteracy, ignorance, under-development and unemployment
and injustice lead to economic and social deprivation.
Their feedback, of course, is heightened levels of
crime, violence and hate. A fair, equitable and transparent
world trading regime, tilted in favour of the economically
disadvantaged countries, can provide a win-win situation
for all concerned. It is of critical importance that
this truth be acknowledged and acted upon. The need
for privileged market access, and an affirmative action
plan for flow of foreign direct investment to the
Least Developed Countries, must not just remain a
lip service. They must be acted upon. This is the
core of economic diplomacy in which we are engaged.
Projection
of true image of Bangladesh
We
are fortunate that we are a democracy. We are blessed
with a vocal and expanding civil society. We are a
highly tolerant people. Peace and tolerance are rooted
in our psyche and our culture. We have a rapidly growing
entrepreunial community. We have a free press. Our
judiciary is independent and active. We are not given
to dogmas and doctrines. And we bear no ill will against
any country. But there are those who do not know the
facts about Bangladesh. That is why the projection
of the true image of Bangladesh has been one of our
foremost areas of engagement. Our efforts have enabled
us to reach new understandings, create a fresh climate
of confidence, win new friends and cement old friendships.
We are engaged in a continuous process of building
bridges with peoples around the world.
River
inter-linking project in India
In recent months, there is much talk in India
about a plan to initiate a river inter-linking project
in that country. The President and the Prime Minister
of India have both expressed their support for implementation
of that project. The Supreme Court of India, in a
judgment in a public interest litigation, has directed
that the project be implemented within 10 years. If
they proceed with the project, it can spell disaster
of unforeseen proportions. It will adversely impact
not only on Bangladesh, but on the region as a whole.
It could threaten the integrity of our river systems.
It will deny water to most areas of Bangladesh. It
could cripple our economy. It could irreparably damage
our ecology, and intensify the arsenic contamination
process in the country. It could deplete the Sundarban
forest, it could certainly result in mass displacement
of populations, bringing in its wake, immeasurable
human misery and suffering. We have pointed these
dangers out to New Delhi, expressed our deep concern
about it, and have requested them not to proceed with
the project. We are ready, as usual, for consultations
to ensure that a major catastrophe does not result
from this project. We continue to remain engaged with
New Delhi to reason with them that the river inter-linking
project will be harmful for both countries. We must
jointly address this issue in all its dimensions.
India
is also planning to construct a dam at Tipaimukh,
on the Barak river, close to Bangladesh’s border.
The implementation of this project, together with
a barrage they are contemplating to build at Phulertal,
will also harm Bangladesh. The damages will be in
no small measure. Here again, we have asked New Delhi
not to proceed with this project. We hope, as we have
always done that viable solutions can be agreed through
mutual consultations.
Nuclearization
of South Asia
There
is much need to strengthen relations and cooperation
among the countries of South Asia. That is the only
way forward. This region has, unfortunately, become
one of the most dangerous places on earth today. Nuclearization
of the two major countries in our neighbourhood, can
spell disaster for the rest of us as well. These heightened
concerns place more demands on our time and energy.
For the Foreign Office, it means relentless, committed
and skilful work. We have candidly highlighted our
concerns and have consistently called for dialogue
as the way to ensure peace and stability in South
Asia.
Need
for international Organizations to adapt to changing
world
We
in Bangladesh strongly believe that existing International
organizations need to adapt and become more responsive
to the changing world order. They must be revitalized
and re-energized. They must be enabled to play a constructive
role in promoting, peace, stability, harmony and development.
We have continued to promote these objectives. We
will continue to be active in the UN system, the NAM,
the OIC and in the Commonwealth. And we will continue
to espouse the cause of the Least Developed Countries,
in every available forum : both multilateral and bilateral.
Strengthening
multilateral processes. New dimensions of bilateral
cooperation
Multilateralism
and bilateralism are not mutually exclusive. Indeed,
the two processes reinforce each other. Our drive
to reinvigorate multilateral institutions, runs in
tandem with our will to explore new dimensions of
bilateral cooperation. We are now prepared to open
negotiations with friends in our neighbourhood on
bilateral free trade arrangements. But it must for
trading arrangements. The basis of or foreign policy
planning and pursuit, in sum, is to see a – and just
world order, economic and political. That is also
our motto.
Thank
you for bearing with me. I will be happy to take you
questions.
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