STATEMENT
BY MR.
M MORSHED KHAN, MP,
HON'BLE FOREIGN MINISTER OF BANGLADESH AT THE BANGLADESH
ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE (BEI) ON BANGLADESH FOREIGN POLICY
5 JULY 2005, DHAKA
It
gives me great pleasure to be present here today at
the certificate distribution ceremony for participants
in the Certificate Course on "Diplomacy, International
Relations and Foreign Policy" organized by the
Bangladesh Enterprise Institute. I would like to congratulate
Ambassador Farooq Sobhan and the Institute for taking
this initiative and to thank them for inviting me
this afternoon.
I
would also like to congratulate each of the participants
for their successful completion of the course. I am
sure that you all have enjoyed and benefited from
the deliberations and discussions.
I believe that someone had once said that diplomacy
is too serious a subject to be left to the professional
diplomats only. There has to be some truth in this
saying as diplomacy is no longer limited within the
confines of the Foreign Office or the Foreign Service.
Today, it becomes difficult to negotiate a business
or an investment deal without sufficient diplomatic
skills. This applies to other areas as well. For example
in sports, it takes intense diplomacy to reach a decision
on the venue of the next Olympics. We have seen top
diplomats engaged as managers of cricket or athletic
teams. At this moment you would have read about the
leaders of the world's richest countries (G-8) come
under pressure from rock stars holding the Live 8
Concert to sensitize them on the plight of poverty
stricken countries in Africa. Even politicians like
myself who are known to have little love for diplomacy,
do resort to diplomacy.
The globalization process has radically transformed
the world we were used to. The world is now at the
fingertips on a computer keyboard and access to information
is almost unrestricted. This is a great thing provided
we know how to handle it. The world today is witnessing
rapid and profound changes in domestic and international
politics. Recognized concepts such as sovereignty
and non-interference in one another's internal affairs
are being challenged by the forces of globalization.
Be it the issues on the cutting edge such as the doctrine
of preemption, "terrorism", or the environment-population-poverty
nexus or conventional security, it requires an understanding
beyond what is depicted by the media.
It
goes to the credit of BEI that, in addition to its
core focus on advocacy for the growth of private enterprise
in Bangladesh, it has taken on the onus of providing
some basic knowledge of analytical tools and disciplines
for understanding the changes and challenges of today.
The transformation in the global scenario that began
with the breakdown of East-West ideological barriers
in the 1980s, had a profound impact on the conduct
of diplomacy. Human Rights, Democracy, Free Market
Economy, Peace Keeping and Peace Building emerged
as the major factors in bilateral and international
relations. The 9/11 incidents caused another turmoil
in the conduct of diplomacy. A new ideological divide
was created, this time having a religious bias. These
developments have affected inter-state relations and
indeed the common man in everyday life.
Mr.
Chairman,
You have requested, if possible for me to touch on
some of Bangladesh's key Foreign Policy priorities.
Time precludes any detailed coverage of such an important
subject matter. However, let me briefly highlight
the six key priorities that have governed our imperatives
:
I)
Protecting and projecting our image as a moderate,
modernizing Democracy.
II)
Playing an active role as a responsible and contributingmember
of the international community. A particular focus
is to maintain our participation in global peacekeeping
efforts including combating terrorism in all its forms.
III)
Energising economic diplomacy i.e. seeking a competitive
edge in today's globalized world in 5 key areas viz.
Trade (access to new markets and enhancing export
potential in old ones); Investment; Manpower export;
Development Assistance and Information and Communication
Technology (ICT).
IV)
Reinforcing extended neighbourhood diplomacy and exploring
new areas of relationship. (Go East Policy to supplement
existing South Asia and West Asia ties).
V)
Consolidating our relations with traditional friends
and Development partners (US and Europe) and looking
to new dimensions eg. Russia, the CIS states and Eastern
Europe.
VI) Strengthening regional, inter-regional and multilateral
cooperation through pro-active policy and innovative
and imaginative initiatives.
Mr.
Chairman,
In
pursuit of these priorities sustained efforts are
being pursued on three fronts.
I.
Bilateral
It
is Bangladesh's unwavering policy to maintain close
relations with all its neighbours on the basis of
sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference
in internal affairs as well as settlement of outstanding
bilateral issues through dialogue and negotiation.
II.
Regional
The government is committed to maintain the positive
momentum and credibility of SAARC, to promote its
socio-economic mandate, to create a broad-based climate
of confidence building and to reduce tension in the
region. The most compelling security challenge facing
South Asia is eradicating poverty, promoting sustainable
growth, reform and development. We believe security
goes beyond the weapons a nation possesses. It extends
to raising living standards and building stable and
healthy democracies. The link between development
and security in South Asia is crucial. This was the
guiding motivation for SAARC, based on the vision
and pragmatism of its chief architect late President
Ziaur Rahman. The core element was to visibly improve
the quality of life of the ordinary South Asian man,
woman and child in an environment of peace, harmony
and active cooperation.
III. Global
A
cardinal priority for Bangladesh is to play a leading
role, through concrete initiatives, mixed with moderation
and pragmatism, in all socio-economic forums to promote
the cause of developing countries as a whole and least
developed countries in particular. This calls for
the formulation of strategies to stop falling investment,
to restructure and reduce debt, to promote trade and
encourage technology transfer.
A
fundamental charge for Bangladesh is to strengthen
the role of the United Nations as the central organ
for the cooperative management of the worlds problems.
Our membership of the OIC, the Commonwealth and NAM
have enhanced our representative capacity and increased
our ability to contribute to the great goals of peace,
security, justice and development. Bangladesh's commitment
to peacekeeping manifested itself in the participation
of our military and police contingents in many simultaneous
areas of conflicts. This tradition initiated by the
current government will continue in strength.
Bangladesh
remains dedicated to uphold the cause of unity, peace
and progress of the Muslim Ummah. Our support for
the cause of Palestine and for a peaceful and durable
resolution of the Middle East problem including Arab
sovereignty over Holy Jerusalem is an abiding commitment.
Mr.
Chairman,
In conclusion, I would like to say a few words as
we look to the future. We are seeking to forge a new
agenda in keeping with circumstances and our times.
We have already identified two key factors: (1) the
impact of globalisation and (2) new ideas and techniques
generated by technology in general and information
technology in particular. Globalisation has profound
implications both good and bad. We need to isolate
the negative factors. Science and technology have
closed the information and communication gap. Economic
forces and markets especially the mobility of capital,
labour and business have transcended national frontiers.
Computers, data links, satellite communications, e-mail
and fax recognize no borders. We cannot close the
gates on them. Exchange of information today, is wider,
faster, and freer, with tremendous power to change
human affairs. We cannot but open our doors to fresh
ideas and new trends. The only real legacy we can
leave for our people is not monuments but the reality
of peace, the freedom of choice and the push for development.
This is what our Foreign Policy must aim at.
I
thank you all.
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