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TATEMENT
BY
H.
E. MR. M. MORSHED KHAN, MP
FOREIGN MINISTER
THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH
AT
THE ANNUAL COORDINATION MEETING OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS
OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC
CONFERENCE
ECOSOC CHAMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS
NEW
YORK
23 SEPTEMBER 2005
Mr. Chairman,
Let
me begin by congratulating you for chairing this meeting.
I hope that the deliberations of today's meeting, under
your able and dynamic leadership, would come to fruition.
Mr.
Chairman,
We
are meeting here today at the backdrop of the 2005 World
Summit where our leaders reaffirmed their commitment
to work for a better world for our future generations.
They also reaffirmed their conviction in the nexus between
peace and security, development and human rights.
We,
in the OIC, have particular responsibilities to translate
those commitments into concrete actions. Bangladesh
has extended its support to the follow up and implementation
of the 2005 World Summit Outcome document.
We
are also looking forward to the Extra-ordinary Islamic
Summit Conference to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia later this year.
Mr. Chairman,
The
unfortunate event of 9/11 has significantly changed
the course of international politics. It has brought
the issue of international terrorism in the forefront
of all discussions. Unfortunately, there has been a
deliberate attempt to link terrorism with Islam. We
would like to stress that the phenomenon of terrorism
is antithetical to the teachings of Islam. Islam advocates
peace, tolerance, non-violence and harmony. We should
devote our resources, intellectual and material, to
offset this vicious campaign against the Islamic Ummah.
Bangladesh
has been consistent in her condemnation of terrorism
in all its forms and manifestations. We, however, demand
that the international community must make distinction
between terrorism and legitimate struggle for self-determination
of the peoples under foreign occupation.
We
also believe that this menace cannot be fought only
by military means. We need to adopt a holistic approach
that would address the underlying causes that instigate
some people to adopt such destructive path. The political
and socio-economic injustices prevailing around the
world must be removed if we are to uproot the malaise
forever.
The
OIC should strategise its position when we engage in
the negotiations for a comprehensive convention on terrorism
during the current session of the UNGA.
We
also need to promote dialogue, cooperation and understanding
among different cultures, civilizations and faiths.
Bangladesh has been pioneering promotion of a culture
of peace among the peoples of the world through its
annual flagship resolution in the General Assembly.
This is also reflected in the 2005 World Summit Outcome
document.
Mr. Chairman,
The
Palestine issue remains unresolved. Bangladesh extends
its full support to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian
people and their rights to have a State of their own
with Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with the
UN resolutions as well as the Quartet Roadmap. Such
a State should be viable in all its meanings. Geographical
contiguity is an essential pre-condition for such viability.
As
a member of Al-Quds Committee and NAM Committee on Palestine,
Bangladesh has been playing an active role in the Committees'
deliberations.
Israeli
withdrawal from Gaza Strip is a step forward in the
implementation of the Quartet Roadmap. It must withdraw
from all of the West Bank. All Israeli settlements on
all the occupied territories must be immediately removed.
The construction of the Wall must be reversed following
the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.
Bangladesh
is gravely concerned about the volatile political and
security situation in Iraq, particularly the indiscriminate
abduction and killing of innocent civilians. Bangladesh,
from its principled standpoint, has always advocated
resolution of Iraq crisis through peaceful means based
on consensus that do not depart from the principles
and standards enshrined in the UN Charter.
We
are heartened at the returning of peace, security and
stability in Afghanistan. This would allow the people
of Afghanistan to focus on their socio-economic development.
Mr.
Chairman,
Trade
is the engine of growth. Bangladesh believes that intra-OIC
economic cooperation can make a big difference in improving
the living standards of our peoples. We must continue
to work for establishment of the Islamic Common Market
through an agreed framework of preferential trading
arrangements. Bangladesh is one of the 14 countries
that have signed and ratified the Framework Agreement
of Trade Preferential System among OIC Member States
(TPS-OIC).
All
products from the OIC-LDCs should be allowed duty and
quota free access to the markets of the OIC countries.
The OIC Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial
Cooperation envisages establishment of free trade areas
at the sub-regional and regional levels. This would
lead to an eventual establishment of the Islamic Common
Market as envisioned by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman
during the 3rd OIC Summit in 1980.
Mr.
Chairman,
It
is important to equip our youth with appropriate education
and training in the fields of new and emerging technologies
in order to prepare them face the challenges of the
fast-paced world of today, to become part of a knowledge-based
society. The Islamic University of Technology (IUT)
in Dhaka is contributing greatly to that end. Over 2000
students from OIC countries have so far graduated from
this university. Some 700 students from 19 OIC countries
are currently studying there. The institution, however,
is facing serious financial crunch due to non-payment
or delayed payment of mandatory contributions by some
Member States, which is impeding its progress. The arrears
now stand at US$ 18 million. When we come to the OIC
meetings, Mr. Chairman, we forget the existence of this
institution of excellence. I urge all OIC members to
live up to their commitment and allow the Institution
fulfil its mission.
Mr.
Chairman,
The
humanity today is faced with complex challenges. More
so for the Muslim Ummah. We feel that the Islamic world
needs to strengthen its solidarity and work in concert
in this trying time. We need to reflect on our policies
and actions to remain relevant.
I
thank you Mr. Chairman.
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