Former foreign affairs advisor Md. Touhid Hossain has claimed that the seven-member 'Kitchen Cabinet' took important decisions of the former interim government.
He said, “They used to meet every Tuesday. And in his own ministry, several advisors were influencial and he decided to resign three times. However, it was not accepted.”
He revealed this in an interview given to a television channel on Monday.
While clarifying the matter, Touhid Hossain said that they do not have enough experience in this regard. Even then, their opinion should have been given enough importance, because, their opinion was given importance at the highest level. I thought of stepping down three times; they requested that it would be very uncomfortable for the government.”
Meanwhile, Touhid Hossain also answered the question of whether the 'deep state' was active in the July uprising. He said, “The deep state is involved in all the events in the world. The deep state used to get involved, but not against the current; but, then they manipulate it.”
The former foreign affairs advisor said, “A large part of his expectations were not fulfilled. on some occasion, I had to go to a meeting of the kitchen cabinet, in Jamuna. Later I came to know that they sit every Tuesday. Some people make decisions, such conversations could be heard. I could hear them too. But apart from that, I did not know that there was such a group that sits regularly to make decisions!”
He denied the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the trade agreement that the interim government signed with the United States just three days before the election.
Touhid Hossain said, “The Foreign Minister or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not involved in it in the slightest. The Ministry of Commerce and the National Security Advisor were involved in it. There may have been a reason behind why we were obliged. If there was no obligation, it would have been appropriate to leave the matter of signing to the elected government.”
Touhid Hossain knew that even if he wrote a letter to Delhi asking for Sheikh Hasina to take responsibility and return, it would not be useful.
About his thoughts on the politics of the banned Awami League, Touhid Hossain, “I think that the Awami League is completely out of politics or is going to remain the same. But, our people's memory is not very long. I think, I believe that they will return to politics and I guess they will participate in the next elections.”
This diplomat is not interested to evaluate the BNP government right now. He says that Tarique Rahman's big challenge is to handle the US-China-India.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
