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Asian-American President". Welcome to Bangladesh

Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed writes from Princeton
**The minorities in America have thrived under your presidency. You have appointed them to high offices, including the first Bangladeshi-American US Ambassador to Fiji You steadied America’s raw nerves at times of crisis to protect the minorities. When just afeout everyone was about to lash out at the “Middle Eastern terrorists” for the Oklahoma city bombing in 1995, you warned America not to jump to conclusions and go for scapegoats. You came to the rescue of the trembling minorities once again in the aftermath of the TWA Flight 800 crash in 1996. As we now know the first reactions were off the mark. Truly, you have been America’s first “minority President.”**
DEAR Mr. President, the First Lady Hillary and the First Daughter Chelsea's visit honoured Bangladesh five years ago. Now you do us the ultimate honour. President Clinton, by becoming the first sitting President of the • United States to set foot on Bangladesh. It is not only your office that honours us: it is also the person who graces it. Mr. President, you are the kind of humanitarian American President Bangla-deshis love and admire.
African-Americans fondly call you the first "African -American President" of the United States. You have said that you take that as a compliment. Although Asian-Amerl-cans have not articulated it. we too feel that you are the first "Aslan-American President" of the United States. We hope that you will take that as a compliment. too.
The minorities in America have thrived under your presidency. You have appointed them' to high offices, including the first Bangladeshi-American US Ambassador to Fiji. You steadied America's raw nerves at times of crisis to protect the • minorities. When Just about everyone was about to lash out at the "Middle Eastern terrorists" for the Oklahoma city bombing in 1995. you warned America not to Jump to conclusions and So for scapegoats. You came to ie rescue of the trembling minorities once again in the aftermath of the TWA Flight 800 crash in 1996. As we now know, the first reactions were off the mark. Truly, you have been America s first “minority President."
While championing the
cause of your own minorities at home, you protected the lives •and properties of the minorities abroad. You took enormous political risks by intervening in Bosnia and Kosovo. Bosnian Muslims would have been extinct without your intervention, as would nave been the Kosovars.
Foremost, you have been a peacemaker. You brought peace to regions of the world that knew only strife. You gathered the leaders of the Palestinians and Israel on the lawn of the White House in September 1993 to launch the Middle East peace process. The peace process in Northern Ireland would not have been as advanced without your active participation.
You not only do the Bangladeshis and the Bangladeshi-Amerlcans proud by touching down on Bangladeshi soli first on your tour of the subcontinent; it is most appropriate that you should do so. Bangladeshis are a peace-loving people, who are most friendly towards their own minorities. Bangladesh does not threaten any of its neighbours. Moderate in religion and outlook. Bangladeshis “take delight in the finer things of life.
Culture is an integral part of Bangladeshi life. Our rich cultural heritage finds expression In melodious songs, captivating dances and profound poetry and literature. Our culinary artistry produces some of the most exquisite gourmet delights in the world. You must sample some of these during your stay, Mr. President.
Although Bangladesh has signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, it is surrounded
by nations that have noi Their confrontation may spill over Into Bangladesh. Perliaps with your solid accomplishments in peace making, you can nudge India and Pakistan towards resolving the Kashmir problem so that every night the children of the subcontinent can go to sleep without worries of nuclear annihilation.
It does not take a lot to make the Bangladeshis happy. Al a time of unprecedented prosperity in America under your watch, Bangladesh only seeks four things from America increase hi the quota of garments shipped from Bangladesh, duty-free access Io US market for Bangladeshi goods, debt-relief of only a few hundred million dollars and American Investment. None of these are a big deal for America; for Bangladesh they arc. Mr. President. since you have been a champion of all women's causes in America, we must tell you that in Bangladesh the garment Industry provides employment to thousands of poor women. There are no people on earth the Bangladeshis admire more than the Americans. We welcome American investments with open arms not only In the areas of energy exploration, but also in other areas such as high-tech and biotech.
America can help us banish pollution from our cities and overcome internal terrorism. America can teach our two political parties how to put forward their agenda without resorting to forcible work stoppages (hartals). Through collaboration with US universities. we can Improve our education so that our best and brightest do not have to flee their na-
tive land to seek opportunities abroad.
Bangladeshis have a big heart. Devastated by the news of floods in the American Midwest in 1993, Bangladesh sent tea to the region, which the governors of the stales appreciated very much. Bangladesh tries doing what is right It is a stalwart contributor to UN peacekeeping missions world-wide. It contributed troops for the allied efforts in the Gulf War in 1991. But after 10 years of crippling UN sanctions, the ordinary Iraqi people are hurting. The sanctions should be lifted, Mr. President. Because, as you like Io say, it Is the right thing to do.
The Chechens, too. have suffered enormously. Mr. Presi-dent. As a nation that was required to make tremendous sacrifices In 1971. before winning its own nationhood. Bangladeshis can attest that the Chechens have sacrificed enough to earn their freedom. Mr. President, please prevail upon Mr. Vladimir Putin to stop the butchery' of the Chechens and start talks leading to the promised referendum on the province's future.
Bangladeshis appreciate good deeds from good men. They know that as the head of the world's only superpower, you have been good for the world. That Is why they were always with you at times of your own trials and tribulations, with prayers of their own. Therefore, from someone who was privileged to vote for you in 1992 and 1996. who calls both the US and Bangladesh his home and who Is a fellow Rhodes Scholar, welcome to Bangladesh, Mr. President.