This shouldn't be a surprise. In every country, including the U.S., diplomatic positions and positions involving foreign relations are almost always political. Why do you think BNP government sent incompetent third-class diplomats to their NY visa office? The appointees knew someone who knew someone and did a lot of foot work for the former government. Soon, BAL government would follow, and replace the BNP govt. appointees, and then send their incompetent ones to diplomatic missions worldwide.
Back in the days, these positions used to be based on meritocracy. Now, it's all about nepotism and who you know. Knowledge of foreign affairs, or ability to show courtesy to your own countrymen is not necessary.
C
From: J.A. Chowdhury <Chwdhury@hotmail.com>
To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 9:35:55 PM
Subject: RE: [ALOCHONA] Govt prefers political appointment in key missions
It is not acceptable but in the same time BNP Jamaati diplomats should remove immidiately.
To: alochona@yahoogroup s.com
From: ezajur.rahman@ q8.com
Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 08:59:50 +0300
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Govt prefers political appointment in key missions
Govt prefers political appointment in key missions
Courtesy New Age 24/5/09
Such political appointments in strategically important missions, foreign policy experts said, may create resentment among the diplomats who have dreamt of such postings throughout their career.
The government has already decided to send former Bangladesh ambassador to the United States Tariq A Karim to India and former Rahshahi University vice-chancellor Saidur Rahman Khan to London as high commissioners on a contractual basis.
The government is also set to appoint Syed Muazzem Ali as Bangldesh's ambassador to the United States.
Former ambassadors close to the government, however, feel there is nothing wrong with contractual appointments as the countries of assignment give importance to the ambassadors who are 'close to top government leaders.'
Sources in the government told New Age the government wanted to begin with a rejuvenated team to attain extended goals of the ruling party's domestic policies and to fulfil the people's expectations reflected in the electoral mandate.
'Our ambassadors and high commissioners must act as alter egos of the head of the government. Those people [persons made heads of missions] must reflect the state policy and programme to get better access to their designated destinations,' Mostafa Faruque Mohammad, a former high commissioner in New Delhi, told New Age on Saturday.
Mostafa Faruque, also a member on the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs ministry, said such assignments these days were economic as well as political jobs and therefore people need to have expertise and experience.
A former senior diplomat said career diplomats could serve better than politically appointed people because of their expertise in related jobs.
'It is not guaranteed that a people having a good political contact with the government serves better than a diplomat,' he said. 'Such appointments outside the service may create frustration among serving diplomats waiting for such posting.'
Referring to Bangladesh's previous posting in New Delhi, the diplomat said four, out of the 10, high commissioners including Faruq A Choudhury, Farooq Sobhan, CM Shafi Shami and Hemayetuddin later worked as foreign secretaries.
He said working in strategically important missions give them a chance to prepare themselves for the post of top diplomat of the country.
The government has also already appointed Saiful Haque, an expatriate Bangladeshi businessman in Russia, as the country's ambassador in Moscow, replacing Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, who is considered a candidate for the post of foreign secretary.
The government is also set to appoint Abul Barakat, an economist and teacher of Dhaka University, as head of the Bangladesh's permanent mission in Geneva, former Bangladesh high commissioner in London Giasuddin as ambassador to Germany, Dhaka University teacher Neem Chandra Bhoumik as ambassador in Kathmandu, Abahani Limited director Shahed Reja, also a close friend to the late Sheikh Kamal, as ambassador in Kuwait and the finance minister's younger brother Abul Momen as ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
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