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To the editor
SAGAR CHAUDHURY
Bangladeshi troops in Iraq!
Seems like we have lost our ability to think straight, or to think at all for that matter. This is a message for all of you, who think we should send our troops to Iraq!
We opposed the war in the first place and hoped for a peaceful solution, and wanted the UN to take the main role. The illegal war took place anyway, defying international laws- where it was not even sanctioned by the world body. Playing alongside the world, trying to end the crisis by peaceful means; what kind of double-standard role are we playing here? There are no international peacekeepers under the UN, the situation is not yet stable- the war is far from over! Everyday there are casualties, at least one soldier per day is going down on average,
not to mention the countless Iraqis. They want to govern themselves and not by outsiders, let them attain their sovereignty, let the UN take the driver's seat and voila- we are ready to send troops! We do hope, we will have that chance soon in rebuilding our once 'well wisher'…least we not forget that Iraq was one of the first nation to recognise us as independent Bangladesh!
On present conditions, NO THANK YOU! Correct me if I'm wrong, I thought it was a 'request', NOT an official one, according to some reports and definitely not an order!
Some of you also mentioned about geopolitics and as I quote 'bygones be bygones!'
Well, if you had lost your dear ones in that war, you certainly would have had a different perspective. And regarding 'geopolitics', Oh
please! We depend on aid just to set our budget and you're talking about taking care of the world? Try to get a nice broom and start cleaning up your own backyard before you think of going for the highway!
Shaker
On e-mail
* * *
Colin Powell, accompanied by high-ranking U.S army officers, was learnt to have been requested Bangladesh government to send troops in Iraq during his recent Dhaka trip. His request prompts an intense political debate in the country. Failing to bring troops from India and Pakistan, Powell now turn to Bangladesh and has given a very tempting offer to include Dhaka in METIA which awaits senate approval. It can be argued that Bangladesh is neither a Middle Eastern country nor gets any trade
facilities unless it recognise Israel.
It has been reported that opposition parties are keeping an eye on the government and has warned to face a tough consequence if Govt. takes decision in this regard ignoring the parliament. Bangladesh might get some trade facilities but cannot push its people's sentiment aside because the majority of our people were and still are against Iraq attack. The government should take the decision in the light of our foreign policy in spite of having difficulty in trade and commerce.
Many people, however, argued that the war is over and why not we take the advantage of complying with the U.S request provided that they agree to give us facilities like quota free access, easy student visa procedures and excluding Bangladesh from terror risk list
countries. In fact, it will be a very realistic approach in this regard as well.
Naser Ahmed Sylhet
* * *
Sirajul Islam (June 23) has raised a million-dollar question 'should we send troops to Iraq', just for some political or economical benefits? My answer is 'yes', which seems to be very rude but that is consistent with our level of morality, dignity, social fabric and our outlook towards life. We claim ourselves to be a 'modern democratic Muslim country'. But let us analyse these rhetoric wordings with real implementation in our state and in our governance and we will see that these are nothing but hollow sounds. We have been liberated twice once in 1947 and again in 1971. But what prosperity
have we achieved so far? How is our law and order situation? What is the level of our poverty alleviation? A very grim picture would appear before us.
So today when "body counting is haunting the Bush Administration and they know it well that the Republican candidate cannot carry this burden in to an election campaign" as mentioned by Sirajul Islam-- it's the responsibility of countries like us to save them or face the consequences. Are we ready to hear the music? No, not at all. Are we ready to face the challenge by way of removing corruption from our society, establishing good governance and exploitation free society? Very few are ready. So the best way is to send troops in Iraq to maintain the status quo.
Jkobir
Dhaka
The Old Man of
Sinbad and America
For the last few days the old man of Sinbad has been enveloping my mind. The tale of Arabian Nights tells us that once the young merchant Sinbad came across an old man at a shore during one of his numerous sea expeditions. He felt compassion for the frail man and offered him his service. Pointing towards a landmass further in the middle of the water the old man expressed his intention of going up there riding on Sinbad's shoulder because he is too weak to wade through the shallow water. Unsuspecting Sinbad happily carried the man to the island just to find that he does not want to get off from his shoulder. Sinbad realised that the man is not actually weak, his strong legs are now almost choking him
while demanding to take him back to the shore from where he came. Poor Sinbad had no other choice but to oblige the old man. But as soon as he reaches one shore the old man wants another ride to the other side, and then another, and another... Then Sinbad noticed that there are bones and skeletons strewn along the bank and he figured out that he was under the clutches of a monster that he can not get rid of. And these are the remains of the previous victims of this monster.
Now, I am wondering why every time I see someone from American administration pays a visit to our country (or any other Muslim country for that matter) I can't help but get apprehensive, and the old man of Sinbad comes to haunt me!
Shukla Mirza
Doha, Qatar