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Saturday, July 25, 2009

[mukto-mona] "Breaking The Silence:" Testimonies Of Israeli Soldiers



To know more on Israel, including it's "most moral army", read Susan Nathan's "The Other Side of Israel: My Journey Across the Jewish/Arab Divide"

 

"Breaking The Silence:" Testimonies Of
Israeli Soldiers

By Stephen Lendman

24 July, 2009
http://www.countercurrents.org/lendman240709.htm

"Breaking the Silence is an organization of veteran Israeli soldiers that collects anonymous testimonies of soldiers who served in the Occupied Territories during the Second Intifada." They recount experiences that deeply affected them, including abusing Palestinians, looting, destroying property, and other practices "excused as military necessities, or explained as extreme and unique cases."

They believe otherwise in describing "the depth of corruption which is spreading in the Israeli military" to which Israeli society and most Western observers turn a blind eye. "Breaking the Silence" was established to force an uncomfortable reality into the open to "demand accountability regarding Israel's military actions in the Occupied Territories perpetrated by us in our name."

Its new booklet features 54 damning testimonies from 30 Israeli soldiers on their experiences in Operation Cast Lead. They recount what official media and government sources suppressed with comments like:

"You feel like an infantile little kid with a magnifying glass looking at ants, burning them."

Another referred to "not much said about the issue of innocent civilians." Anyone and anything were fair game, and laws of war went out the window.

They explained wanton destruction, crops uprooted, human slaughter, women and children killed in cold blood, illegal weapons used, free-fire orders to shoot to kill anywhere at anything that moved, and using civilians as human shields.

Israeli commanders refuted their accounts as groundless, but B'Tselem reported that the military "refused to open serious, impartial investigations," even when provided with detailed information, including victims' names, exact dates, and precise locations of incidents.

On its own, B'Tselem collected testimonies from Gaza residents in which 70 Palestinian civilians were killed, over half of them children. Israeli military sources were unresponsive, except to acknowledge receipt of some information, nothing more or that a serious investigation would be conducted. It never was.

Anonymous Testimonies to Protect Soldiers from Recriminations - First From Earlier Operations

A Nachal unit first sergeant recounted Israeli tanks entering a West Bank village and crushing a car beneath the treads. "Yes, I saw it from the APC we were in. I peeped out. Suddenly we heard a car being crushed....I can't understand why a tank should run over a car when the road's open." It wasn't an isolated incident. It happens often, wanton destruction for its own sake.

He also said that "When we got back from that operation, we had loot so to speak. There were IDs confiscated, uniforms, Kalachnikovs. For army intelligence."

A Nachal elite unit first sergeant said missions were explicitly intended to harass people. Homes were entered, arrests made. "At various points while closing in on a house there are varying open-fire instructions. When the whole house is surrounded, crews placed all around it, the guy who runs out of the house is considered an 'escaper' and must be stopped. If he exits running in a suspect manner (he) must be shot (and) kill(ed). Shot to be stopped: in other words, shoot to kill."

When entering villages, armed Palestinian policemen "at certain points in time....were considered enemy troops (so) we had to shoot to kill if we saw any." Orders were to shoot when in doubt. In describing the atmosphere and command orders, they were "Kill, kill, kill, kill. We want to see bodies."

He explained his anti-terrorism training saying: "Terrorist in sight, that's what it's called, when you run into them. It's some sort of code. It used to be 'hostages.' So you reach the terrorist, you confirm the kill. You don't confirm the kill, you confirm the guy has been 'neutralized,' no chance of his getting back to you because he's been shot in the head. That's confirming he's neutralized."

A 401 Armor unit staff sergeant described the freedom he had to fire a lot - "automatic fire, directed at the whole city, at houses and at doors, was something that everybody did, not just me. I do not know why I did it. I (had) a gun. I did not think. In the army I never thought. I did what I was told to do. And besides, everybody did it. That was the custom - officers and such, everybody knew."

A Battalion 55 Artillery corp first sergeant said when his unit "return(ed) from operations we would throw stun and smoke grenades into the bakeries that opened between 4:00 and 5:00 am because people in the village threw stones....Once I fired over 1500 rounds from a machine gun at the houses in the city." Nobody cared, it was just at Palestinians.

An Armoured Corps first sergeant recounted earlier Gaza and West Bank operations for the "main purpose (of) either demolish(ing) terrorists' houses or places where they manufacture mortars, and other such stuff, or...You would come in and ruin everything you see." At times, "open-fire orders (were to kill) every person you see on the street....kill him....shoot to kill. Don't mind whether he has or has no gun on him."

Operation Cast Lead Testimonies

One soldier said:

"....In training you learn that white phosphorus is not used, and you're taught that it's not humane. You watch films and see what it does to people who are hit, and you say, 'There, we're doing it too.' That's not what I expected to see. Until that moment I had thought that I belonged to the most humane army in the world."

Other testimonies describe white phosphorous used in densely populated neighborhoods, wanton killing and destruction "unrelated to any direct threat to Israeli forces, and permissive rules of engagement that led to the killing of innocents."

More comments reflected the "moral deterioration" of the army and Israeli society, even affecting the rabbinate that blessed mass slaughter and destruction prior to engagements.

Soldier testimonies bear witness to disturbing Israeli values "on a systemic level." Operation Cast Lead's rein of terror was "a direct result of IDF policy, and especially (its) rules of engagement (that sanction) shoot (first) and (don't) ask questions."

Breaking the Silence participants offered their testimonies as "an urgent call to Israeli society and its leaders to sober up and investigate anew the results of our actions....(a disturbing) slide together down the moral slippery slope" that affects them and all Jews globally.

Testimony 1 - Human Shield

People are called "Johnnie. They're Palestinian civilians" in Gaza neighborhoods. In checking out houses, "we send the neighbor in, the 'Johnnie,' and if there are armed men inside, we (use) 'pressure cooker' procedures....to get them out alive....to catch the armed men." When necessary, combat helicopters are called in to fire anti-tank missiles at civilian homes. Then send a "Johnnie" in to check for dead and wounded.

In one home, two were dead and another alive, so supersized Caterpillar D-9 bulldozers start "demolishing the house over him until the neighbor went in" and got him out.

Human shields were also used to check for booby-traps and perform other services. "Sometimes the force would enter while placing rifle barrels on a civilian's shoulder, advancing into the house and using him as a human shield. Commanders said these were the instructions and we had to do it."

Testimony 2 - House Demolitions

Residential buildings at strategic points were taken over by force. Neighborhoods were described with "lots of destroyed houses....ruins....more and more ruins, and even the houses still standing, most of them kept getting shelled...." Other houses were blasted....blown "up in the air" with explosives.

"Operational necessity" sometimes meant a whole neighborhood was destroyed so as "not to jeopardize Israeli soldiers (and with) the day after" in mind, meaning to disrupt Gaza life to the maximum and leave it that way after forces pulled out.

Testimony 3 - Rules of Engagement

Descriptions included "enter(ing) a yard and out of sheer fear the family was waiting in an exposed spot - a father, grandfather, young mother and babies. As we were coming in, the commander was firing a volley, and mistakenly killed an innocent. We got to the house....he goes in with live fire....the family was hiding from the bombings....he happened to kill an elderly guy....it really seems insane....if I look at it from the (other) side, there are people who deserve to go to jail."

Testimony 4 - Rules of Engagement & Home Occupation

Tactics taught are "dry" and "wet" entries. In Gaza, there was "no such thing as a dry entry. All entries were wet," meaning free-firing with missiles, tank shells, machine guns, grenades, everything. On the ground, wet entry orders were to "shoot as we enter a (house or) room (so) no one there could fire at us."

Testimony 5 - Atmosphere

What "bothered me? Many things....all that destruction. All that fire at innocents. This shock of realizing with whom I'm in this together....the hatred, and the joy of killing....I killed a terrorist....blew his head off....There's nothing to hold you back." They're just Arabs.

Testimony 6 - Bombardment

The new 120mm Mortar was used in Gaza with "95 - 100%" accuracy. When it hits, it scatters shrapnel all around. It was used against neighborhoods. Innocents were hit, and "our artillery fire there was insane...."

"Most of the time firing was for softening resistance I think....We simply received orders. If we hit terrorists, then I guess that was the purpose."

Testimony 7 - Rules of Engagement

The commander stressed using "fire power" from the air and on the ground. "You see something and you're not quite sure? You shoot....Fire power was insane. We went in and the booms were just mad. The minute we got to our starting line, we simply began to fire at suspect places....a house, a window....In urban warfare, anyone is your enemy. No innocents." Houses were taken over with soldiers positioned inside "according to plan."

Testimony 8 - Rules of Engagement & Use of White Phosphorous

Some of the younger soldiers "think it's cool to wield such power with no one wanting to rein them in. They (were given) permission to open fire" even at most people who "definitely (are) not terrorists." Free fire used all weapons against "everything (including) houses," whether or not they looked suspect. "I know (that some) crews....even fired white phosphorous. Our battalion mortars (and tanks) were also using phosphorous."

Sometimes an order was given: "Permitted, phosphorous in the air." At times, it was used "because it's fun. Cool. I don't understand what it's used for."

Testimony 9 - Rules of Engagement & House Demolitions

"From the onset....the brigade commander and other officers made it very clear to us that any movement must entail gunfire" with or without being shot at. Alerts were given about a suicide bomber or sniper in the area, but "none of (these) materialized as far as our company was concerned."

"Houses were demolished everywhere." They were fired at "with tremendous power. We didn't see a single house that remained intact....The entire infrastructure, tracks, fields, roads (were) in total ruin." D-9 bulldozers demolished everything "in our designated area. It looked awful, like in those World War II films where nothing remained. A totally destroyed city."

Testimony 10 - Briefings

Formal briefings covered "going off to war (and in war) no consideration of civilians was to be taken. Shoot anyone you see....this pretty much disgusted me. There was a clear feeling, and this was repeated whenever others spoke to us, that no humanitarian consideration played any role in the army at present."

Language used in one briefing was something like: "Don't let morality become an issue. That will come up later. Leave the nightmares and horrors that will come up for later, now just shoot."

Testimony 11 - Use of White Phosphorous & Rules of Engagement

"We walked (with another battalion) and saw all the white phosphorous bombs....we saw glazing on the sand (resulting) from white phosphorous (use), and it was upsetting." Houses were targeted and many around them were destroyed with people inside them.

Testimony 12 - Rules of Engagement

Moving into an area, orders were to "hold the junction, control it." Vehicle movement wasn't allowed and those advancing were fired on. Whole areas were abandoned. In entering houses, strict procedure is followed, including "setting red lines. It means that whoever crosses this line is shot, no questions asked." Orders always were shoot to kill, including women and children.

Testimonies 13 and 14 - Rules of Engagement

Houses were entered with gunfire and taken over. Some civilians were killed. Anyone out at night was called a terrorist even if it was clear he had no weapons.

Testimonies 15 and 16 - Rabbinate Unit

Promoting "Jewish Awareness," rabbis talked with soldiers and gave out materials, the Book of Psalms and some brochures. War got a religious tone against "four enemies:" Hamas, Iran, the Palestinian Authority even though it doesn't control Gaza, and Arab citizens of Israel. Rabbinate briefings said "they (all) undermine us."

Also that Israel was fighting a "war of choice, (a) holy war (with) differing rules." The message "aimed at inspiring the men with courage, cruelty, aggressiveness (and feeling) no pity, God protects you, everything you do is sanctified....Palestinians are the enemy....everyone."

Soldiers were told to be "crusaders," to have a "proper fighting spirit," and show no mercy. Distributed pamphlets said: "Palestinians are like the Philistines of old, newcomers who do not belong in the land, aliens planted on our soil which should clearly return to us."

One man introduced as Rabbi Chen presented his talk in points, also covered in pamphlets. First was "the sanctity of the People of Israel. He put it this way: he said while going in there, we should know there is no accounting for sins in this case." In other words, "whatever we do is fine."

Another point referred to the "sons of light" waging war against the "sons of darkness" to turn the IDF into a messianic force in a battle of good versus evil.

Testimony 17 - House Demolitions & Rules of Engagement

"Pressure cooker" tactics were used. D-9 bulldozers "worked nonstop to raze orchards and take down houses suspected of containing tunnels" or stopping sniper fire. "The feeling is it's all sand dunes, all the streets were destroyed and there were shell pits from the bombings before the ground offensive." After a week, "our officer decided he'd hold a grenade-launching practice....So we went into a house next door, took an inner room, and each person came along and threw a grenade inside. The house was totally devastated."

Testimony 18 - Briefings & Rules of Engagement

Before the operation began, the battalion commander "said we were going to exercise insane fire power with artillery and air force....There were no clear red lines. In urban areas it's very much at the commanders' own discretion....we were told to enter every house (using) live fire....a grenade or two, shooting, and only then we enter."

Testimony 19 - Bombardment

It was designed "to gain control of the area....The whole cover thing starts, massive fire, auxiliary fire, and then my company goes it....In the first phase, we open fire in every zone." Every house in a designated area is entered....At the end of the day the platoons are set up in the houses. Each house becomes a small army outpost with positions...." Then other houses are occupied and searched. Families inside were assembled in one room, then told to leave and walk into the city. In some houses, the men were gathered together and shackled.

Testimony 20 - Rules of Engagement

"Our objective was to split the Gaza Strip, fragment it," take total control.

Testimony 21 - Briefings & Rules of Engagement

The commander said don't "feel bad about destruction because it is all done for the safety of our own soldiers." If someone is suspect, "we should not give him the benefit of the doubt. Eventually this could be an enemy, even if it's some old woman approaching the house. It could be an old woman carrying an explosive charge."
We had constant reports about suspect women or pairs, stuff like that, but never ran into any.

"There are two phases: there's the primary phase of taking objectives....whatever is suspect is targeted for fire." Youngsters in the ranks "are out for action and most of them have pretty racist views....some of them say (they) don't want wars, but what can (they) do, this is how things are and we'll never have peace with the Arabs." Those with more moderate views are in the minority. For most soldiers, "there are two possibilities: either you're terribly scared or terribly gung-ho. Better gung-ho than frightened, for this way you can do a better job of it."

Testimony 22 - Bombardment

One home "was known as a Hamas activist's house. This automatically gets acted upon...the house was bombed while these guys were inside. A woman came out, holding a child, and escaped southward." Reports were that people inside were unarmed. "But that's not the point. The point is that four men standing outside the house conferring look suspect."

Testimony 23 - Rules of Engagement & Home Searches

"In routine work there are outposts, windows, observation posts and stairs....you go out, take the house, spend (enough time) inside, then go back to the same house or to another one....You're also told to wreck floor tiles to check for tunnels. Television sets, closets (everything). Many explosive charges were found, they also blew up, no one was hurt."

Before going in you shoot....we didn't really need to shoot after the tank had wrecked the house....Physically the houses were ruined." In some, drawings were made on walls, even with lipstick, and "the closets were all trashed. It sounded retarded....you go into a house and turn it all inside out."

Testimony 24 - Briefings & House Demolitions

Initial briefings by commanders never mentioned "the lives of civilians (or) showing consideration to civilians." Here it wasn't mentioned. "Just the brutality, go in there brutally....In case of any doubt, take down houses. You don't need confirmation for anything...."

D-9 operators "cannot show consideration. If he's ordered to demolish a house, he" does it...."houses and agricultural areas as well, orchards and hothouses." At the end of the operation, the commander said "We demolished 900 houses....a really huge number. We demolished a lot."

Testimony 25 - Briefings & Rules of Engagement

"The battalion commander said there would be lots and lots of terrorists and we should really watch out but don't worry, everyone will have taken plenty of people down (because) insane fire power (gives us an) advantage over them."

Testimony 26 - Briefings & Rules of Engagement

Before going in, "the battalion commander....defined the operation goals: 2000 dead terrorists, not just stopping the missiles launched at (Israeli) communities around the Gaza Strip. He claimed this would bring Hamas down to its knees....No one said 'kill innocents.' " But orders were for the army to kill everyone thought to be suspect.

"The issue of civilians became irrelevant as soon as you'd enter combat - the rules change. You shoot. It's war. In war no questions are asked."

Testimony 27 - House Demolitions

Suspect houses were targeted with white phosphorous shells "to serve as an igniter, simply make it all go up in flames," and in the process destroy weapons and tunnels.

Testimony 28 - Rules of Engagement

Neighborhoods were cleaned out, areas "where infantry had not yet entered." After going in, "terrorists" were identified and killed. "We kept working with snipers, infantry 'straw widows,' where they identify targets for you and you fire shells....You shoot even if (targets not) identified."

Testimony 29 - House Demolitions & Bombardment

In controlled areas, orders were "to raze as much as possible....Such razing is a euphemism for intentional, systematic destruction, enabling total visibility....so no one could hide anything from us" and operational objectives could be accomplished - destroying suspected booby-trapped houses and tunnels. Also leaving behind minimal infrastructure after the operation was concluded.

The destruction in Gaza "was on a totally different scale (than anything) I had previously known....the ground was....constantly shaking. I mean, there were blasts all the time. Explosions were heard all day long, the night was filled with flashes, an intensity we had never experienced before. Several D-9 bulldozers were operating around the clock, constantly busy....What is a suspect spot? It means you decided it was suspect and could take out all your rage at it."

Testimony 30 - House Demolitions & Bombardment

Most "mosques were demolished. (Our) brigade commander (said) we should not hesitate to target mosques. Nothing is immune, nothing and no area. He explicitly mentioned mosques....If you see sand bags, you shoot without the shadow of a doubt....You run into a curve in the road and know there's an angle from which you cannot monitor a certain area, first you shoot, see if anything happens, then you proceed....If you don't know what's in a building, you fire at it. Such were the general instructions...."

Testimony 31 - Rules of Engagement

"We weren't told outright to shoot anything we saw moving but that was the implication. I asked, 'What if I see a girl outside?' She has no business being outside. 'So what do I do?' Check if she's armed - then shoot her." For anyone engaged at short range, it's "understood from (our) briefing that it's better to shoot first and ask questions later."

Testimony 32 - Briefings

"There was less talk of values, more of professionalism, not a moral issue." The atmosphere placed little value on Palestinian lives. Jewish ones were another matter.

Testimony 33 - Rules of Engagement

"We fired rounds at houses in front of us (in) which we didn't see movement....But these were houses that we identified as looking out over us. We fired into windows, before the ceasefire....everyone started shooting. I heard this happened in other areas as well."

Testimony 34 - Rules of Engagement

Even though Israeli forces faced no resistance on entering Gaza, orders were that everyone is suspect. "There is no such thing as suspect arrest procedure. If I detect a (possible threatening) suspect - I shoot (to kill)."

Commander briefings stressed "aggressive action," protecting soldier lives, and having no regard for civilians. They're all suspects.

Testimony 35 - Vandalism

Soldiers "took out notebooks and text books and ripped them. One guy smashed cupboards for kicks, out of boredom....The deputy company commander's staff wrote 'Death to Arabs' on their walls." Lip service only was paid to looting. Don't ask, don't tell was how it was.

Testimony 36 - Rabbinate Unit

They gave pep talks and handed out booklets about "the importance of serving the People of Israel who have been persecuted all these years and (are) now back in (their) homeland and need to fight for it." The usual hot button issues were mentioned - the Holocaust, defending God, and the rights of Israeli Jews. Arab ones don't matter.

Testimony 37 - House Demolitions & Vandalism

Houses were entered with live gunfire, grenades, and other destructive force. Extensive damage was done. Soldiers inside did much more. They had no regard for "even the simplest most basic sanitary stuff like going to the toilet, basic hygiene. I mean you could see they had defecated anywhere and left the stuff lying around." No one cared.

Testimony 38 - Rules of Engagement & House Demolitions

"The amount of destruction was incredible....Not one stone left standing over another. You see plenty of fields, hothouses, orchards, everything devastated. Totally ruined. It's terrible. It's surreal....in my own company there were plenty of people who fired just for the hell of it, at houses, water tanks. They love targeting water tanks." D-9 operators also...."love to demolish, and when the commander sends them off, 'Go take down that house,' they're happy."

Testimony 39 - Vandalism

Doors inside houses were blasted open. Contents were smashed, television and computer screens. Things of value were looted. "The guys would simply break stuff. Some were out to destroy and trash the whole time. They drew a disgusting drawing on the wall. They threw out sofas. They took down (pictures) just to shatter (them)." They did what they wanted. Who'd stop them? The assumption was "everyone is a terrorist (so) it's legitimate to do just anything we please."

Testimony 40 - Bombardment

Targeted houses were bombed, destroying others nearby. Indiscriminate bombing was commonplace.

Testimony 41 - Bombardment

Helicopters and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) were directed against suspect houses. "I'm not certain what is considered suspect and what proper rules of engagement are. We responded to anything that seemed suspect to us." In one area, all houses were fired on. "There was massive fire."

Testimony 42 - Home Demolitions & Use of White Phosphorous

Shells were fired at a house suspected of being booby-trapped. "Then some order arrived to ignite it. The way to do that was to actually fire phosphorous shells from above. (It) ignites the whole house."

Testimony 43 - Rules of Engagement

"One guy said he just couldn't finish this operation without killing someone. So he killed someone...." It was war.

Testimony 44 - Vandalism

Houses were cleared with live fire and people inside taken away. There was no control. Soldiers did what they wanted. At times, they "went crazy." They did "unnecessary damage to property, smashing stuff, looting. Commanders didn't care.

Testimony 45 - House Demolitions & Vandalism

More demolitions. Another neighborhood ruined. "Some of the houses had been demolished because they sheltered armed combatants, other(s) suspected of having tunnels underneath, yet others blocked our line of vision....they were taken down, whole orchards were razed."

Testimony 46 - Vandalism

"In primary searches for weapons, we go in and then suddenly a guy opens a cupboard, sees china and begins to throw it all on the floor (to) show it to the Arabs." Stuff was thrown out windows and walls written on also.

Testimony 47 - House Demolitions

"It was amazing." So many were destroyed that "At first you go in and see lots of houses. A week later, after the razing, you see the horizon further away, almost to the sea. They simply took down all the houses around so the terrorists would have nowhere else to hide." All around you see rubble.

Testimony 48 - Briefings

Briefing stressed "going in there and getting things back in order," that, of course, meant terrorizing Gazans into submission. "An army that does these things, that takes apart houses because there was sporadic shooting nearby, is an unprofessional army."

Testimony 49 - Bombardment

Soldiers were forbidden to go up on rooftops because helicopters, planes, and UAVs fired on persons detected there. "Whoever climbed to the roof was doomed."

Testimony 50 - Rules of Engagement

All Palestinians were suspects, so even ones waving white flags were shot. "The soldiers were made to understand that their lives (mattered), and that there was no way (they'd risk being killed) for the sake of leaving civilians the benefit of the doubt. We were allowed to fire in order to spare our lives." Orders were to shoot at everyone, "even an old woman - take them down."

Testimony 51 - Human Shields

Some soldiers were worried about moral issues like using people as human shields. "Personally I'm unhappy about it....I certainly don't intend to serve in the Occupied Territories any longer....I'm not feeling good....having been there and taken part in (operations making him) very uneasy....You always have another option."

Testimony 52 - House Demolitions

"....most of the destruction that went on....was not necessary....the battalion commander said that as far as we were concerned this was war."

Testimony 53 - Rules of Engagement

...."at a certain time soldiers (use) a machine gun, rifle and grenade launcher (to) take a house....and target it for a blast of deterrent fire. The idea is to sow confusion, keep shifting the direction of warfare."

Testimony 54 - Atmosphere

"Going in, the atmosphere was 'gung-ho' and the whole country was behind us. While inside, all of that disappeared....Listen, coming out of there I did not feel any heroic elation or sacrifice, just that it was sickening and unglamorous and boring and stupid. People suffered....human beings become nothing....It is impossible to conceive of such an extent of suffering as that which we inflicted on Gaza....that is what I take with me in particular, how people can be indifferent to suffering or see it as trivial."

Final Comments

Defense minister Ehud Barak claims Israel has "the most moral army in the world." The above testimonies say otherwise. They show:

-- deep moral degradation;

-- insensitivity to human lives and suffering;

-- clear evidence of indiscriminate slaughter and destruction for its own sake;

-- civilians targeted like combatants;

-- women and children treated no differently than men;

-- the elderly, the very young, it didn't matter;

-- being Palestinian makes them terrorists;

-- rules of engagement were "shoot first and ask questions later" if at all.

For over six decades, Israel defiled international law by committing the most egregious crimes of war and against humanity against Palestinian civilians and neighboring Arab states. The world community hardly blinks.

Stephen Lendman is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization. He lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to The Global Research News Hour on Republic Broadcasting.org Monday - Friday at 10AM US Central time for cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on world and national issues. All programs are archived for easy listening.

With Regards

Abi
 
"It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong."
- Voltaire"



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[ALOCHONA] Training Course on Bangladesh Labour Law 2006 & Grievance Handling Mechanism [1 Attachment]

<*>[Attachment(s) from kazi shamsul alam deepu included below]

> 2009.07.26 Sunday.

> Dear All
> Pls see da below mail and attachment regarding day long
> workshop on "Bangladesh Labour Law 2006 & Grievance Handling
> Mechanism" going to be conducted by CHAOWA (Compliance, HR
> & Admin. Officers Welfare Association). If u have any
> query regarding this matter pls feel free to contact wid me by mail or
> cell.

> Thnx
& Best Regards,


> ......................
> Kazi Shamsul Alam Deepu
> Manager, HR
> DK Group
> Banani, Dhaka.
&
> Member, CHAOWA
> Cell # 01819-151033.
> Email: ksadeepu@dkgbd.com & ksadeepu@yahoo.com

> CHAOWA Office Address:
> House # 11, Road # 05,
> Sector # 1, Uttara, Dhaka.


<*>Attachment(s) from kazi shamsul alam deepu:


<*> 1 of 1 File(s) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/alochona/attachments/folder/1946907836/item/list
<*> Invitation_Letter.doc

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[mukto-mona] V. Good News_IMF Leaving Bangladesh like Notorious Moeen Gong!!!



Dear Brothers & Sisters,

 

Greetings from the heart of Bangladesh. Be a Patriotic Bangladeshi.

 

It is very good news for Bangladesh & its people that the IMF is going to leave Bangladesh like Notorious Moeen Gong. For detail, please also find the link below,

 

http://www.prothom-alo.net/V1/archive/news_details_home.php?dt=2009-07-24&issue_id=1352&nid=MjUxMzA

 

Mentionable that Bangladesh had taken membership of IMF on August, 1972.

 

Thanks & regards,


Engr M H Khan



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Re: [ALOCHONA] Re: Pinak terms 80pc visa seekers touts, brokers



Who are those touts, dalals, batpars and choors?
I never saw one in Bangladesh. If there is one , we should be talking about it.
Not some one from other country.
I saw some chamcha baj, ghush khor and pukur choor. That's our pride.
Nobody is going to take it away.
 

--- On Sat, 7/25/09, Mashuque Rahman <mashuque@pacbell.net> wrote:

From: Mashuque Rahman <mashuque@pacbell.net>
Subject: Re: [ALOCHONA] Re: Pinak terms 80pc visa seekers touts, brokers
To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2009, 11:24 AM



I thought over the years we came to the point now that any truth about our country (Bangladesh) which portrays the country in a negative light is considered as being "desh-o-drohee" (anti-state)! People forget that we can't solve a problem unless we acknowledge the problem to start with. It seems always better to keep our head in the sand.
 
On the other hand Pinak or any other foreign embassy official got to stay away from any remark that goes way beyond the official norm. Our foreign ministry need to be much more vocal in this regard.

 
- mashuque


From: ezajur <ezajur.rahman@q8.com>
To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 4:03:08 AM
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Re: Pinak terms 80pc visa seekers touts, brokers

 
Dear Alochoks

I intensely dislike Pinak and he is not fit to be Ambassador at all. We want him recalled.

I wonder if he is the true face of India's relationship with Bangladesh. I wonder if the smiling faces of visiting ex PMs and stars of the Gandhi clan are irrelevant in this relationship.

However I have to confess that I grudgingly admire Finak for some of his forthright comments - in particular his comment about touts and brokers.

I think he is right.

Newly weds, prospective in laws and senior businessmen seem to have no trouble in going to India and the airlines are all doing a brisk trade between Calutta and Delhi.

I like the fact that he had the guts to refer to touts and brokers as touts and brokers. I love it. Because politcians have empowered an entire class of touts (tout is a Bengali word I think!), batpars, dalals, beymaans and choors. Our commentators refer to these same scum as 'lobbyists and agents'.

Its better to have an Indian Ambassador who speaks his mind than and Indian Ambassador who massages our egos with praise and decorum but who thinks the same as Pinak! At least we know where we stand!

So another Ambassador thinks that touts mostly queue outside the Embassy but says efforts are being made to speed up visa applications when actually nothing is being done. We would accept it.

So another Ambassador thinks the Tipumaikh dam is unstoppable, just like Pinak, but says that serious reviews are being done - when actually nothing is being done. We would accept it.

So another Ambassador thinks we should open, deregulated markets at our border, just like Pinak, but he just doesn't say it publicly and pushes Ministers discretely for such markets. We would accept it.

I hate Pinak. But anything that exposes our true condition is welcome to me. Even if it is insulting.

As is there is real shock and puzzlement that 25,000 Deshis would seek to stay illegally in India - when it is part of our culture to stay illegally in any country. Or am I wrong?

Thats right Pinak - you shut up and don't upset our sovereign pride.

India should still respect us. Even if actually doesn't.

Because we hardly have any touts, dalals, batpars and choors in Bangladesh who are protected by politcians. We only have very bad shushils and Army people. Right?

Ezajur Rahman


--- In alochona@yahoogroup s.com, "Ezajur Rahman" <ezajur.rahman@ ...> wrote:
>
> Pinak terms 80pc visa seekers touts, brokers
> Courtesy New Age 21/7/09
>
> Staff Correspondent
>
> Some 25,000 of the Bangladeshi travellers going to India with legal
> visas every year do not come back, claimed the Indian high commissioner
> to Bangladesh, Pinak Ranjan Chakrabarty, and described most of the visa
> seekers as 'touts' and 'brokers'.
> He made the allegations at a conference on 'Bangladesh- India Economic
> Relations' in Dhaka on Monday in a bid to justify the Indian High
> Commission's cumbersome process of issuing visas, as shown by the
> extremely long queues of visa seekers.
> 'Eighty per cent of the visa seekers are not genuine. Those [whom you
> see in the queue] are touts and brokers,' said the Indian 'diplomat',
> adding that the visa issuing process would be much easier if the
> Bangladesh government ensured that touts and brokers no longer queue for
> submitting visa applications.
> He attributed the current visa regime to India's security concerns
> against the backdrop of incidents such as the terrorist attacks in
> Mumbai. 'Twenty-five thousand of the Bangladeshis who are going to India
> with legal visas [every year] are not returning to their country,' he
> said, although he could not specify the reasons for the alleged
> disappearance of the Bangladeshis.
> A large 50-member delegation of the Federation of Indian Chambers of
> Commerce and Industry, led by its vice-president Harsh C Mariwala,
> attended the daylong conference organised by the Federation of
> Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the Pan Pacific
> Sonargaon Hotel.
> Pinak's far from diplomatic outburst was an attempt to rebut the
> complaints made by the president of the FBCCI, Annisul Huq, about
> India's slow and tortuous process of issuing visas to Bangladeshis.
> Talking about non-tariff barriers to bilateral trade, Annisul quipped
> that the queue of the visa seekers was usually three miles long and it
> should be included as one of the Guinness World Records.
> 'We certainly need to ensure a significant reduction in our
> apparently small, non-tariff barriers that threaten bigger opportunities
> of growth,' said Annis.
> In response, Pinak said that the High Commission would not object to
> multiple visas for businesspeople. 'I promise you that business visas
> will be issued as quickly as possible.'
> Pinak said that New Delhi had been offering duty-free access of all
> goods and commodities from Bangladesh as a least developed country since
> 2008, and had only excluded a 'small negative list of 434 items'.
> Speaking at the opening session before leaving to attend the weekly
> cabinet meeting, commerce minister Faruk Khan urged the business leaders
> of the two countries to pressure their governments to develop
> cooperative relations for mutual benefit.
> 'We have created problems ourselves. People-to-people contact is good
> but when it comes with governments, especially politicians, we see
> problems,' he said, expressing the hope that the present democratic
> atmosphere in the entire South Asia would give the politicians the
> 'right message' to work for cooperation.
> At a seminar in Dhaka on June 21 Pinak had said, 'It is unfortunate
> that there are some so-called water experts who make comments without
> considering some of the issues. They are basically attempting to poison
> the minds of the friendly people of Bangladesh against India.'
> The foreign affairs minister, Dipu Moni, who spoke later as chief
> guest, did not make any comments on Pinak's remarks that subsequently
> sparked off a lot of controversy and indignation, although she later
> termed his haughty attitude and antagonistic remarks a violation of
> diplomatic norms.
>





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[ALOCHONA] All in the family



All in the family

 

Enmities and animosities aside, relationships in political, business and other circles make an interesting socio-political network that turns the

wheels of the nation

 

by ANWAR PARVEZ HALIM

 

Love conquers all and this was proven recently by the young couple Barrister Fazle Nayeem and Sarah Hasin Mahmud when they tied the knot of matrimony despite all odds. In a replay of the Romeo-Juliet dilemma, Fazle Nayeem is the son of Awami League presidium member Sheikh Selim. Sarah Hasin Mahmud, on the other hand, is the daughter of BNP leader Iqbal Hasan Tuku. And the bitter rivalry between the two opposing political parties is not secret. But that posed as no bar and on July 15 they married. They had a grand wedding with the who's who of the political arena and other big names of the social spectrum in attendance. This ceremony came as a breath of fresh air in the otherwise suffocating atmosphere of political hostilities.

For about three decades now Awami League and BNP have been locked in bitter enmity. The leaders have been engaged in vitriolic exchanges in parliament, in public meetings and wherever they get the chance. In fact, their animosity has created a Great Divide in the society as a whole.

However, there is always a silver lining to any dark cloud and even amidst this animosity, family ties and social bonds exist. In fact, political observers point to many instances where political rival attack each other during the day, but sit at the same adda after dark.

Like Nayeem and Sarah, there are many relationships within the political arenas as well as in business and other elite circles, resembling the social phenomenon -- six degrees of separation, where everyone seems related! It's all in the family and that is what this week's cover story is all about.

 

The Sheikh family

 

Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and brother of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, married sportswoman Sultana Khuki, daughter of the Chief Engineer of Dhaka University. Khuki's brothers Rafiq and Khokan both live in Dhaka presently.

Sheikh Jamal, the second son of Sheikh Mujib, married his cousin Parveen Rosy, daughter of Joint Secretary Syed ATM Mohammed Hossain. Syed ATM Mohammed Hossain was the brother-in-law of Sheikh Mujib.

Sheikh Rehana, sister of Sheikh Hasina, is married to Dr. Shafiq Siddiqui. Her husband's younger brothers are Rafiq Siddiqui and Maj. Gen. (retd) Tareq Siddiqui. Tareq Siddiqui is presently the Defense Advisor. Sheikh Rehana's father-in-law was Siddique Master. He had owned vast stretches of land in what is now known as Banani before it was acquired by the Pakistan government to build up the present residential area. Ivy Rahman, the late wife of President Zillur Rahman, is the sister-in-law of Siddique Master. So, in essence, President Zillur Rahman is an uncle of Sheikh Rehana, through marriage.

Sheikh Helal, son of Sheikh Mujib's younger brother Sheikh Naser, is presently a member of parliament. His daughter has married Barrister Andaleeb Partho, son of the late JP leader Naziur Rahman Manzur. Partho is now the President of Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) and MP from Bhola.

The late Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni (better known as Sheikh Moni), Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim (better known as Sheikh Selim) and Sheikh Maruf are the sons of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's elder sister. In other words, they are the cousins of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Sheikh Moni has two sons. Barrister Taposh and Porosh. Barrister Taposh was elected MP from the Dhanmondi constituency this time.

Former Health Minister Sheikh Selim is presently an MP. He was Chairman of Jubo League. Among her relations, it is said that Hasina finds Sheikh Selim the most reliable and trustworthy. Sheikh Selim's daughter is married to the son of the self-declared Prince Musa Bin Shamsher. The ukil baap (godfather) at the wedding was former President Hussain Muhammed Ershad. Musa Bin Shamsher was a manpower businessman, the owner of Gatco. Sheikh Selim's son Fazle Nayeem recently married Sarah, daughter of BNP leader Tuku.

Sheikh Selim's sister was married to the late Bangladesh Jatiya Party leader and former minister Naziur Rahman Manzur. Politics had created a gap between the two families. Upon Naziur's death, his son Partho took over as the party Chairman and also became MP from Bhola. He has married Sheikh Helal's daughter.

Abul Hasnat Abdullah is the son of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's sister. His father Abdur Rab Serniabat was the Water Resources Minister of the Mujib government.

Former Chief Whip Abul Hasnat Abdullah has three sons. Of them, Ashiq Abdullah and Sadek Abdullah face criminal charges. Ashiq Abdullah married the sister of Imon, known to be a top criminal of Dhaka city. Ashiq's mother-in-law is Dr. Sultana Jahan.

Sheikh Shaheedul Islam (better known as Sheikh Shaheed) is Sheikh Hasina's cousin, the son of her mother's sister. Former President of Chhatra League, Sheikh Shaheed was Education Minister of the Ershad government. His relations with the Sheikh family deteriorated after he left Awami League to join Jatiya Party. Sheikh Shaheed married the daughter of Janata Bank's former MD Salehin. Salehin is the cousin of Dr. Fakhruddin, former Chief Advisor of the caretaker government.

General Mustafizur Rahman was an uncle of Sheikh Hasina. He was married to Sheikh Mujib's cousin. After forming the government in 1996, Sheikh Hasina recalled him from LPR and made him the Army Chief. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. Later during the rule of Dr. Fakhruddin's caretaker government, he was stripped of this rank. He died during the tenure of the caretaker government.

President Zillur Rahman married Ivy Rahman, daughter Dhaka College lecturer and renowned educationist Jalauddin. They had two daughters, Tania and Moina, and a son Najmul Hasan Papon. Papon has been elected MP from Bhairab in the by-election. He is presently managing Director of Beximco. His father-in-law is established businessman Abdul Hashem.

 

Linking Hasina and Khaleda!

 

Arch rivals though they may be, there are family links between Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Khaleda's son Tareq Rahman is married to Dr. Zubeida, daughter of former Naval Chief MA Khan. MA Khan is related to Sheikh Hasina's family and so, in that way, albeit far-fetched, Hasina and Khaleda are related.

 

The brother brigade

 

The late Abdul Jabbar, Speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly, is the father of the late Obaidullah Khan, former secretary, former minister and renowned poet; journalist Sadeq Khan; late AZM Enayetullah Khan, journalist and diplomat; politician Rashed Khan Menon, President of Workers Party; businessman Shahidullah Khan Badal, publisher of New Age; Monon, who lives abroad; Bablu and Lablu, who live in Australia; former minister Selima Rahman; Shireen; Cherry and Mimi, both whom has passed away.

Of these siblings, Rashed Khan Menon and Selima Rahman are active in politics. Menon is an MP. Selima Rahman was minister for the four-party alliance government.

Journalist Enayetullah Khan Mintoo first married Leena Khan, sister of internationally renowned architect FR Khan and political scientist Dr. Zillur Rahman. Dr. Zillur Rahman, who resides in the US, is married to Tanzina Rahman Loton, elder sister of Tasmima Hossain. Tasmima Hossain is the wife of Manik Miah's younger son former minister Anwar Hossain Manju. While Ambassador to Myanmar, Enayetullah Khan married a Burmese woman. He later married Najma Chowdhury, TV personality and daughter of former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Abdul Matin Chowdhury. She had previously been married to Maj. Gen. Abdur Rahman. She was also married to actor Utpal.

Shahidullah Khan Badal is married to Dr. Naila Khan, daughter of Col. Kazi Nuruzzaman, Sector Commander of the Liberation War. Dr. Naila Khan's sister is dancer Lubna Mariam. Lubna Mariam's daughter Anushey is a popular singer married to musician Buno, son of Imran Ahmed, formerly MP of Sylhet-4.

 

A President and a doctor

 

Former President and renowned physician Prof. Dr. Badruddoza Chowdhury is the son of Kafiluddin Chowdhury, MP of East Pakistan. He entered politics as a direct associate of Ziaur Rahman. He was BNP Secretary General, became an MP, a minister and then went on to become the President of Bangladesh. However, having gone against party interests, he was impeached and beat an exit from BNP. He then formed a fresh party, Bikalpadhara, then LDP and then back to Bikalpadhara again.

B Chowdhury's wife Maya is the sister of Panna Kaiser. That makes actress Shomi Kaiser and young politician Mahi B Chowdhury cousins. Panna Kaiser's husband was the martyred journalist Shahidullah Kaiser. His younger brother was Zahir Raihan. Zahir Raihan's cousin is journalist Shahriar Kabir, writer and head of the Nirmul Committee. Shahriar Kabir married Dana, sister of Shahadat Chowdhury, the late Editor of Bichitra. Shahadat Chowdhury and Shahriar Kabir had set up Dana Printers, the printing press near Mohakhali railway gate.

 

Mashiur Rahman Jadu Miah

 

Veteran politician late Mashiur Rahman Jadu Miah's son Shafiqul Ghani Swapan was State Minister for Youth and Sports in Ershad's cabinet. Jadu Miah's daughter Mukti Rahman married Ershad's brother-in-law diplomat Mohiuddin Ahmed. Another daughter journalist Rieta Rahman married Maj. (retd) Khairuzzaman. Khairuzzaman had initially been accused of complicity in the Mujib killing, but the charges against him were later dropped. Until recently he had been Bangladesh's High Commissioner to Malaysia. The present government recalled him. He handed over his authority but has not returned home.

Renowned fashion designer Bibi Russell is the daughter of Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mian's, brother Shidu Miah.

 

Mohan Miah

 

Renowned politician and zemindar of Faridpur, Mohan Miah, is the father of Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf and Akmal Ibne Yusuf. Both the brothers are involved in BNP politics. Kamal Ibne Yusuf was the Minister for Health during the four-party alliance government's tenure. After 1/11 he was part of the BNP reformist group. Upon Begum Zia's release, he rejoined her camp, that is mainstream BNP. He is somewhat inactive in politics at present.

 

Who has married whom?

 

Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf's daughter married Shafiur Rahman Babu, son of former Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman.

Alamgir Mohammed Adel married Mohan Miah's daughter. He was the brother of Jahangir Mohammed Adel, Dhaka's Mayor during Ershad's regime. Jahangir Mohammed Adel's father-in-law was Governor of East Pakistan during the 1971 war, Monaem Khan.

Shyama, the daughter of veteran BNP leader late Obaidur Rahman, married the brother of Chayan Islam, an Awami League MP of Sirajganj. So the late Dr. Mazharul Islam is Shyama's father-in-law.

Former President Abdur Rahman Biswas's wife is a cousin of Rashed Khan Menon.

Political scientist Talukdar Maniruzzaman's daughter has married the son of Dr. SA Malek, former Advisor of Sheikh Hasina

BNP MP Mokammel Hossain Kaikobad's brother is married into the Sheikh family.

 

Salman F Rahman

 

Fazlur Rahman had been Home Minister and Education Minister of Pakistan. His two sons are Salman F Rahman and Sohel F Rahman, proprietors of the Beximco Group. Though Salman Rahman is of the Awami League ilk, he has not directly joined Awami League politics. He did contest from the party in 2001 from the Dhaka-1 (Dohar) seat, but lost to Barrister Nazmul Huda. Salman Rahman is an uncle of Nazmul Huda.

During the rule of the four-party alliance, Beximco had its troubles. Things got worse after 1/11 when Salman Rahman was arrested and business fell. But things have looked up since the present government came to power. Salman Rahman's daughter Samantha died young while studying in London. His son Shayan Rahman is married to the daughter of BNP leader Morshed Khan.

 

Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan

 

And things looked up for left-leaning politician Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan when he joined BNP. Under Khaleda Zia's leadership, he became the party's Secretary General and then a minister. After 1/11, he led the "reformist" faction of BNP and initiated a split in the party. He is inactive at present, though there are speculations that he may form a new party. His son has married Sheikh Kabir's daughter. The couple lives abroad. During the rule of Awami League, Sheikh Kabir was the Chairman of Red Crescent. He is the cousin of Sheikh Mujib, that is uncle of Sheikh Hasina.

 

Abdullah Al Mamhud

 

Abdullah Al Mahmud was Industries Minister of Ayub Khan's government. He hails from Sirajganj. His son BNP leader Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku was State Minister for Power during the four-party alliance government rule. Tuku's sister Dr. Tasmima married Dr. Matin, a minister of the Ershad cabinet. He is now Chairman of BJP (Matin), a faction of the fractured Jatiya Party.

After 1/11, Tuku, his wife, son and daughter were incarcerated on corruption charges. Recently Tuku has been in the news on two counts -- one for filing a 100 crore taka case against former Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed, and the other for his daughter marrying Sheikh Selim's son.

 

Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed

 

Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed is the son of Dr. Mohiuddin Ahmed of Vikrampur. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed was a World Bank official. Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia called him back to the country to appoint him as Governor of Bangladesh Bank. His fate changed with the onset of 1/11 and he was Chief Advisor of the caretaker government for a two-year stint. Facing a storm of criticism for extra-constitutional actions, he has silently left the country.

Dr. Fakhruddin has married into a famous Chowdhury family of Sylhet. His wife is the sister of Ambassador Faruk Ahmed Chowdhury, Advisor to BNP Chairperson and former Secretary Enam Ahmed Chowdhury and Permanent Representative to the UN Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed appointed his brother-in-law Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and his wife's cousin Geetiara Safia Chowdhury as advisors to his caretaker government. In fact, many referred to it as the Fakhruddin family government.

Geetiara's husband Nazim Kamran Chowdhury was elected BNP MP from Sylhet-4 in 1979.

Ambassador Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury is a cousin of Ambassador Faruk Chowdhury. He is presently Advisor to Begum Khaleda Zia.

 

Nazmul Huda-Sigma Huda

 

Humayun Kabir, Alamgir Kabir, Akbar Kabir and Firoz Kabir were the famous Kabir brothers of Faridpur.

Humayun Kabir was a minister of the Nehru cabinet and Editor of the journal Chaturanga. Alamgir Kabir was IGP and former caretaker government advisor. Firoz Kabir married into Rangamati royalty, becoming an uncle of Raja Debashish. Firoz Kabir's first wife was Rokeya Rahman, Professor of History at Dhaka University, also the founder of Saptagram, an NGO for women's self-reliance.

Akbar Kabir was Information Advisor of the Zia government. His daughters are Alpha, Sigma and Khushi and son Babar Kabir.  Sigma Huda is an Advocate and is married to Barrister Nazmul Huda. Khushi Kabir runs the NGO Nijera Kari.

 

The Chittagong Connection

 

The port city of Chittagong has a significant populace of political personalities and businessmen.

 

The Khans and the Chowdhurys

 

There were three families in Chittagong known for their political prowess. These were the families of Fazlul Quader Chowdhury, Nabi Mahmud Chowdhury and MA Aziz. Fazlul Quader Chowdhury and Nabi Mahmud Chowdhury were Muslim Leaguers, while MA Aziz was of Awami League. MA Aziz, Vice President of Chittagong Awami League, was an MNA during the Pakistan period here.

Nabi Mahmud Chowdhury was minister of the Pakistan government three times. His son Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury was Commerce Minister of the Khaleda government.

 

Fazlul Quader Chowdhury

 

Fazlul Quader Chowdhury was a minister of the Pakistan government. Of his sons, two are actively involved in politics -- Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Gisauddin Quader Chowdhury. Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury is an MP at present. He married Alamgir Mohammed Adel's daughter. His brother Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury is married to Meena, daughter of former Cabinet Secretary Mujibul Haque.

Awami League leader and Mayor of Chittagong ABM Mohiuddin is Fazlul Quader Chowdhury's cousin. ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, a cousin of Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, was elected Awami League MP in the 2008 election. Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury's son is married to the daughter of businessman Raunak Khandkar.

Hedayet Rashid Chowdhury, founder of the HRC Group, married the sister of Fazlul Quader Chowdhury. His sons are Saber Hossain Chowdhury and Sayeed Hossain Chowdhury, meaning they are cousins of SQ Chowdhury.

Haris Chowdhury, former Political Secretary of Khaleda Zia, is cousin of Saber Hossain Chowdhury. Saber's cousin is also former Army Chief Maj. Gen. (retd.) Nasim. Nasim was the leader of the failed coup of May 20, 1995.

Abdullah Al Haroun, brother of BNP leader of Chittagong, Abdullah Al Noman, is one of the main founders of Chittagong Awami League. Noman was involved in Chhatra Union politics as a student, but later joined BNP. Noman's brother Abdullah Al Hasan married Awami League leader Malek Ukil's daughter. Mayor Mohiuddin is a distant maternal uncle of Noman.

Agricultural Minister Matia Chowdhury reportedly is also related to Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Salman.

 

The AK Khan family

 

The AK Khans are a renowned business family of Chittagong. AK Khan was a minister of Pakistan. Many member of this family were famous, some going on to become MPs and ministers. AK Khan's niece Durrani married BNP leader and former Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman. Two other nieces of AK Khan married Col. Faruk and Col. Rashed, the killers of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Zeenat, another niece of AK Khan, was quite in the limelight during Ershad's rule and was wife of former BCIC Chairman and Secretary Musharraf Hossain. Zeenat was said to be involved in an affair with Ershad for which Musharraf Hossain divorced her. Musharraf Hossain was State Minister for Mineral Resources during the four-party alliance government. Zeenat and Morshed Khan are cousins.

Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud was Water Resources Ministry of the Ershad government and MP. He is presently Executive Chairman of Jatiya Party. His wife is Parveen, Deputy Managing Director of PKSF. Her mother is Shamsun Nahar Paran, founder of NGO Ghashphool and woman leader of Chittagong. Paran's brother is Maj. Gen. (retd) Sayeed. She is also niece of Jatiya Party leader Kazi Zafar. Kazi Zafar's uncle Kazi Zahirul Qayyum was the founder of Comilla Awami League. He was an MNA in 1971.

Anisul Islam's daughter married Barrister Mainul Husein's son Javed Husein. Anisul Islam Mahmud is the present Chairman of Javed's firm Energy Power Corporation Limited.

 

 

Sheikh Kamal's friends

 

Sheikh Kamal, eldest son of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was killed with other members of the family on August 15, 1975. His school and college friends today are established in various fields and professions. His close friends and associates include:

1. Tanveer Mazhar Tanna is the Bangladesh representative of a foreign oil company.

2. Sakhawat Mobin Chowdhury Shahan, younger brother of Ambassador Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, presently works for Beximco.

3.  Waliur Rahman Bhuiyan OBE was Managing Director of Bangladesh Oxygen.

4. Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, BNP leader and former State Minister for Power and Mineral Resources, would not admit his close friendship with Sheikh Kamal during the rule of the four-party alliance government.

5. Pijush Bandhyapadhaya is an actor.

6. Maj. (retd.) Ashfaq Ahmed is a businessman.

7. Baby, proprietor of Corolla Corporation.

 

http://www.probenewsmagazine.com/index.php?index=2&contentId=5384




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