Mohammad Ali Sattar
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is now in New York to attend the 68th UN General Assembly session. Reports say she leads a huge entourage of nearly 150 members, mostly of her own hand-picked persons.
Discerning observers and a section of the staffs in the foreign ministry are critical of the move. They have questioned her wisdom of taking such a large team incurring huge cost to the national exchequer. They say that many were just given a preferential trip. They do not have any role to play as a member of the team. For most of them this would be a shopping-cum-pleasure trip.
The PM’s mission to UN has lots in the agenda. She decided in the last moment to attend the session. She decided to attend and made her intentions clear that she is ready to act on raising important national and international issues with the leaders concerned and also try to meet with some leaders who play important part in decision making of the global politics.
Initially we were told that the PM had decided not to attend the UN session due to her more important occupations at home. But she changed her mind soon after the BNP leaders commented that she was dropping the US trip because she has no answer to the many questions that she is likely to face there. It seems that she is ready with her answers.
Meetings with the Indian counterpart Dr.Manmohan Singh and some one from US seems to be the most sought after target, because right now, India and the US matters most for Bangladesh and her party.
With India we have unresolved issues like, Teesta, trade, fugitives on both sides of the borders and the BSF killings. Indian Congress happens to be old friend of the Awami League. It has been since the time of Mujib and Indira. Over the years, things did not work the way AL wanted. Awami League has failed to win over the Indian government to receive the support it needed to underline achievements of the government.
Even if the Indian Congress wants to deal with Bangladesh (or the AL) in a positive frame of mind, the regional parties would have qualms. But it is again hard to believe that Congress is all pro-Bangladesh and pro-AL. Our PM should take the ground realities into consideration when she sits with Manmohan Singh in New York.
Expecting any thing more from India now would be futile. The Indian ruling party would not be able to do anything bypassing the opposition or other partners in coalition. How our PM deals with such things remains to be seen.
The Yunus issues
There are lots at stake In the US. For instance she will have to face situations like holding of polls with participation of all major parties. The Yunus issue will surely make rounds. She will have to engage in the theme with strong reasons. The US has already taken a stand regarding our politics and the policies of the present government.
It has been saying, quite regularly that US wants to see a free and participatory polls. Letters from John Kerry will bear weight for discussion.
Then the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon called up both the PM and the Opposition leader to discuss the election issues and expressed his concern about the impending political situation.
The Bangladesh delegation will have to put up a good show there. They will have to convince that the programs and policies of the present government are people and politics friendly. How far they can do the job is a different question. Are there any competent international players in the PMs team?
email: malisattar@hotmail.com
Source: Weekly Holiday
