Speech by Hon'ble Foreign Minister at the 'Passing out ceremony of Foreign Service Officers' on 06 September 2005 at 1900 hrs at
Foreign Service Academy, Sugandha

I am very happy to be here today at the passing out ceremony of the 9th Specialized Course of the Foreign Service Academy. I try to keep myself fully abreast of the progress of the training programme. Naturally, as Foreign Minister, I have an interest in the matter. It is important that we have trained people in the right places only then the Ministry can function properly as and meet the expectation of the Government and the people of the country. Many who are here today would be aware that my interest in and commitment to a well-trained and motivated professional cadre of career foreign service officers, long pre-date my appointment as Foreign Minister.

To the probationers I would say that a very formative phase of your career has ended, one which will shape your future and on which you will one day look back with affection. The training phase, in a sense, is a transition for many of you, from trainee to full-fledged officers of the government. To be sure, acquisition of knowledge and professional expertise is a continual process. As you progress in your career, you will continue to develop and build on what you have learned at the Academy. I should stress here that I have always subscribed to the concept of meritocracy. Good performance and merit should be recognized and rewarded, more so in the higher echelons of service. This is common enough in most countries, especially developed countries.

The role of diplomats has, of course, changed over centuries but its purpose and thrust, in essence, remain the same. The concept of national interest has not radically changed over the years, although circumstances may have altered. The basic job of any diplomat is to promote and protect his or her national interest abroad. He does so by interacting, in the main, with foreigners and diplomats of other countries. Hence the imperative of proper training, which alone ensures that a diplomat can interact effectively in a foreign country and milieu.

Sir Henry Wotton's tongue-in-cheek definition of an Ambassador as "an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his country" has been widely known. Less well-known are the circumstances that led him to make the comment. Sir Henry, on his way to Venice in 1608 to assume an Ambassadorial assignment, was staying with a close friend, Christopher Fleckamore. In his friend's personal album he wrote his remark in Latin. 8 years later, much to Sir Henry's discomfiture, the comment was leaked out by a third person creating controversy. An embarrassed Sir Henry apologized profusely, explaining that his was a private comment written as a "merriment". I am recounting this because Sir Henry's explanation underscored a basic truth, namely a diplomat, to be successful, should have the gift of laughter and a sense of humour. The ability to laugh and create laughter is most helpful in making friends for an individual and his country, since laughter needs no translation.

In any profession or career, an individual would naturally wish to succeed. If you wish to succeed, there is no substitute for hard and honest work. A major part of your work in a mission will be to report to the Ministry or the Government on various aspects of your responsibility. Or you may have to report to your supervising or senior officer in the mission. In preparing any such reports, you should at all times give your honest and dispassionate assessment and analysis and not what you think will please your superiors. Otherwise you will be failing in your duties and will not please your superiors either.

As diplomats in missions abroad you will have greater latitude or flexibility in your work than your colleagues in the home civil service. You can create your own work. In the process, demands will be made on you intellectual capacity. Here you must remember that there is no substitute for intellectual honesty and that diplomacy is emphatically not to be confused with duplicity.

All of you have very exciting careers to look forward to, although the glamour that is associated with diplomacy is perhaps exaggerated or outdated. Diplomats are now essentially a salesman, whose success depends on his/her initiative and drive.

It is my expectation that you will make the most of the opportunities that will surely come your way to project and promote your country. It is a singular privilege and honour to represent your country abroad. Many people will form their first impression of Bangladesh after inter-acting with you. Yours will thus be a big responsibility.

I wish for all of you success in your careers and assure you of the Ministry's support in your work at all times.

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