The current state of the foreign ministry
PROFESSIONALISM has no match in formulation and implementation of a
country's foreign policy. The slightest mistake in formulating and
conducting foreign policy can make the country vulnerable to attack by
foreign powers. Therefore, it should be formulated keeping in mind a
country's interests while avoiding any attitude that might be
construed as a hostile or unfriendly act of the government. Foreign
service officers and political entities who head the foreign ministry
should be well-acquainted with the nitty-gritty of the foreign policy.
Recently, the foreign ministry saw an influx of people from other
areas who do not seem to be acquainted with the ins and outs of the
country's foreign policy. Half a dozen ambassadors come from a
different sector, some of them placed in important countries,
including Russia and Britain. Germany, an important donor country and
second highest export destination of Bangladeshi products, remains
without an ambassador for quite some time. I recall the generous
contribution of the German government and NGOs when severe floods
affected Bangladesh in 1998. At that time I was in charge of the
Bangladesh embassy in Bonn as the ambassador was on leave. The
permanent representative to the United Nations is also represented by
a non-diplomat — an American citizen of Bangladesh origin. His recent
meeting with the exiled Tibetan Dalai Lama raised eyebrows in the
political circles in Beijing. If no appropriate explanation is given
to the Chinese authorities, the relations between Bangladesh and China
will grow cold. Bangladesh needs China much more than China needs
Bangladesh. Our country should maintain balanced relationships with
the two Asian giants, China and India, in the interests of the
country.
Sex scandals involving diplomats at the ambassador level has seriously
damaged the image of the foreign ministry. In June this year, the
Bangladesh ambassador to Japan, AKM Mujibur Rahman, was called back to
Dhaka on such a charge. Japan has been playing a very important role
in developing the infrastructure of Bangladesh since pre-liberation
days of the country, apart from turning out to be our largest donor
country. In the recent past, another diplomat, Hasib Aziz, was called
back to the foreign affairs ministry for taking an Uzbek woman as a
second wife without seeking permission from the government. He later
married two others. The latest incident involving someone with a
non-diplomatic background was that of the ambassador to Nepal, Neem
Chandra Bhowmik, which turned out to be a very serious matter. Apart
from the scandal, the former applied physics teacher of Dhaka
University was accused of meddling in the internal affairs of Nepal.
There has been allegation of corruption against him while offering
scholarships to Nepalese students selected by the Bangladesh
government. As reported, he lacks mannerism and diplomatic etiquette
in dealing with foreign government. There has been serious allegation
against the Bangladesh ambassador, as reported in the news media, that
he gave ride to retired Indian general Jacob to different meeting
places in his official car flying the Indian flag. It is an
unbelievably disgraceful affair. No action has yet been taken despite
requests from the Nepalese government for calling him back. Needless
to say that Nepal is a very important country in the region for
Bangladesh. Also, allegation of corruption against the Bangladesh high
commission in Britain needs to be looked into by the foreign ministry.
Both the prime minister and the foreign minister have toured many
parts of the world by now, the achievements to which are not much
visible. After Bangladesh has allowed transit facilities to India from
Akhaura to Tripura, India will succeed in establishing link with its
seven landlocked sister states through Bangladesh territory, apart
from using Bangladesh sea ports. It may be recalled here that
following our independence, the Chittagong Port was under a mine
cleaning operation by Russian naval units, due to which Bangladesh had
placed a request to use the Calcutta Port for transhipment for the
time being. The request was denied by the Indian government at a time
when friendship between the two countries was at its highest peak as
India had assisted our freedom fighters to liberate the country from
Pakistan's subjugation. Speaking recently at Bangladesh strategic
study institute, the visiting Indian foreign minister reportedly said
that Bangladesh would enjoy trade relations with the Indian landlocked
states. The possibility of such scenario is bleak as these areas are
low income. The entire north-eastern part of India is infested with
insurgency. For all practical purposes, the government of India has no
hold on Nagaland. Arunachal Pradesh has become controversial since
China claimed 16 districts of the state. Apart from this, the Indian
authorities are in the process of demarcating the border by
constructing barbed wire fences along Bangladesh borders without
consulting the Bangladesh authorities, which should be considered an
unfriendly act. Killing of Bangladeshi nationals by India's Border
Security Force is increasing without any serious protest from the
Bangladesh side. Without resolving water sharing issues, India is
reportedly ready to construct Tipaimukh dam, in spite of protests from
the local people. Although the government of India verbally assured
that no damage would be done to Bangladesh if it is constructed,
experts are of the opinion that there would be tremendous adverse
effect on Bangladesh, it being the lower riparian country. In a way,
much more harm would be inflicted on Bangladesh than was by the
Farakka barrage. Since China is going ahead with a project to divert
waters from the River Brahmaputra in Tibet to arid Xinxiang region,
apart from building hydroelectric power plant, India is taking
initiative to make a dam to preserve waters from Brahmaputra, causing
damage to Bangladesh. Brahmaputra is an international river and the
interest of lower riparian should be looked into.
The non-recognition of Kosovo by the Bangladesh government may have
irritated the United States which took the initiative to recognise
Kosovo. There are similarities between the birth of Bangladesh and
that of Kosovo from the subjugation of Serbia. It is understood that
the Russian influence has deterred the recognition of Kosovo by
Bangladesh. Possibly, the issue is linked with the construction of the
atomic energy plant by Russia at Rooppur in Pabna. The treaty between
Bangladesh and Russia is likely to be signed when the prime minister
pays a visit to Russia this year. This would be her second visit to
Russia.
The ministry of foreign affairs suffers from a shortage of manpower to
run it effectively. With the departure of the ambassadors to China and
France, there will be a vacuum in the ministry in respect of foreign
language oriented diplomat. The post of additional foreign secretary
remains vacant till writing of this article. The director general is
looking after the territorial desk. No director general, however
efficient, can handle the territorial desk without gaining a clear
perception thorough training abroad. Each territorial desk is
different from the point of view of geography, history and current
affairs from other desks. From the desk officer to the
director-general level, the ministry needs specialisation in the area
to make judgment on significant issues which might affect the national
interest of the country. Research work on important developments
around Bangladesh and international platform is very important in
formulating foreign policy. The ministry lacks a full-fledged research
wing. It may consider introducing a course for non-diplomatic
ambassadors before posting them abroad.
A state can be governed by a person uninitiated in politics, but
foreign ministry could not be run by non-professional diplomats. The
government should pay much more attention to the ministry of foreign
affairs as it stands as the first line of defence for the country.
____________________________________
Mohammad Amjad Hossain, retired diplomat from Bangladesh and former
president of Nova Toastmasters International Club,writes from Virginia
http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/op-ed/30768.html
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