A different kind of atmosphere is prevailing after the Dhaka visit of US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu. According to the diplomatic arena, the relations between Dhaka and Washington has moved into a new turning point after his Dhaka visit as Lu had conveyed the message of strengthening the bilateral relations.
The government is now relieved after prolonged discomfort with relations with the United States. The fact that Donald Lu has no public meeting or communication with anyone from the opposition, including the BNP, multiplied the relief several times. The government also does not want to look back, welcoming the call of the United States to move forward. However, Donald Lu's visit has created discomfort among like-minded parties including BNP. All in all, after the visit, the attitude of the leadership and supporters of the two main political parties of Bangladesh about Donald Lu or the United States has changed in an instant.
Donald Lu, who arrived in Dhaka last Tuesday on a three-day visit, held a meeting with his country's diplomats, Bangladeshi civil society, journalists, labor rights activists and environmental activists. At night, he attended a meeting and dinner at the residence of Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Advisor Salman F. Rahman. On this day, he tasted the fuchka and chatpati made in Bangladesh. On the next day, Wednesday, Donald Lu held one-on-one meetings with ministers and secretaries. He held a formal meeting with the Foreign Secretary on the sidelines of the meeting with the Environment Minister and the Foreign Minister. After a series of meetings, Lu came to Bashundhara Sports Complex in Bashundhara residential area and spent a special time. There, with Ambassador Peter Haas, Donald Lu played cricket with the country's women cricketers with bat in their hands. A lively Donald Lu is seen at the Bashundhara Sports Complex.
The plane carrying him left Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) International Airport for Washington at 4:15 Thursday morning. Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs say that the Awami League government has differences with the United States on various issues including human rights and participatory elections centering January 7 parliamentary elections. The United States also announced stricter visa policy for the sake of free, fair and uninterrupted elections. As a result, five months after the end of the election, Doland Lu's visit this time is considered to be an indication of improved relations. A clear glimpse of this was found in his speech. In a brief press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, Donald Lu said, "I have been trying to restore trust between the people of the two countries in the last two days after visiting Bangladesh. We know that we had a lot of tension with Bangladesh last year. We tried hard to assist in holding free, fair and peaceful elections (in Bangladesh). It creates some tension. It is normal for such things to happen in our relationship. However, we want to look forward, not back. We want to find ways to improve relationships.”
Donald Lu also said that there are many difficult issues in the way of our relationship, the ban on rab, human rights, labor rights and the development of the business environment. But I want to move forward with positive cooperation to work on difficult issues.
Analysts say that the United States is sticking to its policies on issues such as democracy, human rights, labor rights or freedom of expression, and wants to advance relations with the Bangladesh government as well. That's what came out in Donald Lu's speech.
Delwar Hossain, the professor of Department of International Relations of Dhaka University told The Bangladesh Pratidin, "Donald Lu has clarified many things during his visit to Bangladesh. He spoke very openly. It is understood that before the national election, there was a somewhat uneasy relationship between Bangladesh and the United States, a lack of trust; however, the United States wants to restore this relationship of trust.”
Awami League presidium member Textile and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak also talked about the visit. He said, “Donald Lu's speech proves that the Awami League government is on the right track. The United States supports the democratic process and also supports Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina's government. It proves that we are on the right track. They have told us to advance the relationship with them and we also want to strengthen it.”
He aslo said as now they are supporting a democratic government, BNP is running like an unbridled mad horse. It is nothing but their political bankruptcy.
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said, "They have to continue diplomatic relations with any country. They have to maintain good relations even with the military rulers. They are doing what they (United States) feel is the need of the country in view of the condition of Bangladesh currently. But they are not doing anything against the people of Bangladesh.”
He said talking about improving relations with any government is also a part of diplomatic etiquette. However, Donald Lu also mentioned in his speech that the previous position of the United States in favor of democracy and human rights continues.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on April May 17 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque Khan)
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