why PM's advisors should give colourful speech to the press? It should be the Ministers job. Don't we expect advisors to be invisible personalities??
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Gowher RizviRejaul Karim Byron and Porimol Palma
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Front Page
Gowher RizviRejaul Karim Byron and Porimol PalmaAchievements made by Bangladesh during the Indian premier's visit are very substantial but they have been overshadowed by the postponement of the Teesta deal, said Prime Minister's International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi.
The government has successfully resolved longstanding issues that were believed to be beyond resolution and some of them date as far back as 1947, he claimed.
The problem of the enclaves and exclaves--which is of enormous significance to 55,000 people living there--has been solved. The people in those places are in a state of limbo without the benefits which citizens have a right to like healthcare, schools, security and transport. The unfettered 24-hour access through Tin Bigha to Dahagram and Angorpota has freed its 15,000 inhabitants from the incarceration at night.
He said Bangladesh has also obtained the right to land transit through India to Nepal and Bhutan and this has opened enormous possibilities of trade and cooperation in power and water sectors.
The demarcation of the disputed 6.5km boundary and the agreement on coordinated management of border will ensure that border hostilities and killings will become a thing of the past.
The decision to remove duties on the export of Bangladesh garment and textile products will greatly help narrow down the trade deficit with India, he said.
"If we do not recognise the gains that the country has made, we are simply misleading people. We owe it to the people of Bangladesh to place facts before them and let them make up their minds," he told The Daily Star at the Prime Minister's Office Thursday.
"Sadly, even the most significant achievements have been obscured by the fact that the agreement on Teesta was delayed. Teesta was one important part, but certainly not the only important issue. We have much to celebrate and we must not obscure these successes simply for our desire to play party politics. The boundary agreement is of historic importance and it has at a stroke resolved many of the issues that have dogged relations between the two countries.
"Like everyone else in Bangladesh we were disappointed that the Teesta agreement could not be finalised but as friends we understand the difficulties of New Delhi…India is a federal democracy and it has to carry the states when an agreement directly affects a particular state," he said.
He said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had been talking to Paschimbanga Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee but sadly that discussion could not be completed by the time he arrived in Dhaka.
He pointed out that it was ironic that the Indian prime minister in his public comments and talks with the press took full blame for the failure to sign the agreement but our media and the opposition leaders are adamant in blaming it on the government.
Rizvi said at the official talks a fair and equitable share of Teesta water was agreed upon in principle and that a deal would be signed as soon as the process is complete.
Asked what would happen if New Delhi fails to convince Mamata, the adviser said, "This is for India to decide… the ball is in their court. We will wait and encourage them to do it as quickly as possible."
In response to a question whether Bangladesh would contact Mamata, Rizvi said, "Mamata is a very close friend of Bangladesh, she loves us and will not do anything that might hurt us…Our relationship with her will continue and grow. But, she will have to resolve her issues with New Delhi," he said.
While stating that Teesta is one of the important issues, he pointed out that the real significant outcome of the visit lies in the signing of the framework agreement, which he termed historic and forward-looking.
Rizvi said it opens up areas of cooperation in power, water, connectivity and other fields never dreamt before.
For the first time in our history, India has agreed to two sets of tripartite cooperation with Bangladesh--India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and India, Nepal Bangladesh--for developing joint hydroelectric projects in Bhutan and Nepal, the foreign adviser said.
Rizvi claimed that the power deficit is holding Bangladesh's progress back and with the electricity problem solved, at least three percent of extra annual growth could be achieved. He said, "Double digit growth looks so easily attainable."
On not signing a protocol on the Chittagong and Mongla seaports, he said it was expected to be signed but at the final meeting questions were raised by both sides on certain clauses that required clarifications and changes in language. Therefore, both sides agreed to review those before signing and it will take some time.
Asked if the protocol was not signed because India deferred the Teesta deal, Rizvi said while such a conclusion may be drawn but "Our relationship is based on goodwill and trust and not on market-place haggling. We have abandoned the earlier tactic of the previous governments of tradeoffs as they have patently failed. We want to resolve all problems across the board through mutual understanding and goodwill".
On criticism that Manmohan's visit was a failure and two advisers--foreign affairs and finance adviser to the prime minister--were to blame, he said he would not go for personal defence.
He, however, said, "The Indian prime minister already acknowledged that the problem was not on the part of Bangladesh. We must remain focused on issues and facts. From the point of view of national interest, this visit has secured enormous advances…"
On complaints that the ministries concerned and the cabinet were not aware of the deals with India, he said no agreement is made by the Prime Minister's Office. They originate in the ministries, who provide the drafts and agreements, and are vetted by the relevant ministries and inter-ministerial committees, and when necessary placed before the cabinet. At the end of the day, everyone works under the direction of the prime minister."
To say that the cabinet was not aware and the ministries were not aware makes sensational news for papers but it is not based on facts, said the PM's adviser.
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