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His Healing Touch

by Mohammad Badrul Ahsan
In case Bill Clinton needs to know how important it is for this nation, let him heed the words of one of his predecessors. Warren G Harding, 29th President of the USA, said in a speech in Boston in 1920, "America's present need is not heroics, but healing; not nostrums but normalcy; not revolution, but restoration." We thank Bill Clinton for the honor, which will be bestowed upon us by his visit. But Bangladesh's present need is not honor, but healing.
US President Bill Clinton will arrive in town today as a part of his swing through the subcontinent. As the frequently rescheduled visit of the US President materializes, it dawns upon one that the leader of the free world, the first Incumbent US President ever to visit Bangladesh. Is coming to town at last. It doesn't, matter that he is going to stay for few hours only.
Bill Clinton's visit has been characterized by unheard-of preparations in this country. The advance team of US Marine Corps, the stacks of equipment for his security and replication of the White House in Dhaka, the closing of roads on the day of his visit, and numerous newspaper articles (including this one) have been creating hype around his visit for last several weeks. But why is he coming to one of the poorest nations In the world? Karl In-derfurth. US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, gives us a hint. According to him, Bill Clinton is coming to further strengthen the existing ties between Dhaka and Washington.
Two issues that will loom large during Clinton's primarily Indian visit are hot potatoes like CTBT signing and Kashmir Imbroglio. Otherwise Pakistan will perhaps get a scolding for its undemocratic ways during Clinton's stopover In Islam- ' abad and India will be wooed for Its friendship for all five days, supposedly to pre-empt the growing threat of Chinese dominance in the region and the world market. But why is the US President coming a long way to Bangladesh? Does he want to pay tribute to the country's successful micro-loan projects? Has he been prodded to come by his wife and daughter who visited Bangladesh a
few years ago? Or, is it sheer bonhomie that he wants to signify a country by his visit, which does not draw world attention unless hit by natural disasters.?
Whatever may be Clinton's purpose of visiting Bangladesh, interest groups are ready with their respective list of demands. These demands include increased US investment In Bangladesh: raised quota for readymade garments by 30 per cent; lifting or lowering of tariff barriers for Bangladeshi good entering the US market; domicile for nearly half-a-million Bangladeshis Illegally residing in USA; and extradition of three indicted killers of Sheikh Mujlbur Rahman. One good news is that Clinton might announce USD700 million In debt relief under PL-480. Another Issue that is hovering around the corner is whether the US President will be asked to offer an apology for his country's alleged Involvement in the plot to kill Mujib in 1975.
Except for extending an apology on behalf of this country, Clinton will probably feel comfortable to meet most of the demands placed before him. He might fumble on the domicile Issue if it does not fit In the over all immigration policy of his country. And the Inkling of potential US investment in power, gas .and energy sectors is already blowing in the wind. A US bank in the country, which has maintained low-keyed presence for long, is said to be recently revving up its activities In preparation for looking after US business interests.
The two red herrings, which are likely to create adverse repercussions in this country, are gas export from Bangladesh to India and container facilities in Chittagong port. If the US
President solicits for either or both causes, his "goodwill" visit might be misunderstood as an excuse to meddle in the internal affairs of this country. The leftleaning politicians and religious groups are already antsy of his visit and the misunderstanding will only bring grist for their mill.
But what is evident from the upcoming Clinton visit is that USA holds a considerable sway over this country. The previously Intransigent opposition parties agreed to postpone strikes in honour of the Clinton visit. And lest Clinton did not know It already, most politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen and Intellectuals have their children and relatives settled or studying in USA. Many of them even view USA as their ultimate haven in the event of political turmoil or dwindling fortune in this country. The brouhaha over the Clinton visit shows how deeply his country is ensconced in the sentiments of upper and middle classes of our society.
That leaves Bill Clinton to win the hearts of the common men of Bangladesh. Only safe haven these men have is their own country, because they have neither the means nor the minds for emigration to another. Inderfurth. while explaining Clinton's last-minute decision to visit Pakistan, said. "The President believes it is crucial that he carry a message of restraint and dialogue to both capitals on this trip." Another story has it that Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's ambassador to Washington, had successfully made this appeal to the US president, "You have applied your healing touch to so many parts of the world. Here is your chance to apply It to our region." It is believed that this appeal along with importuning of various lobby groups eventually
convinced the US President to include Pakistan in his itinerary.
The best thing for us to look forward to the Clinton visit is that he will bring his healing touch, which effectively resolved regional conflicts, to our national politics. The US President Is going to spend time both with the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition to discuss various bilateral issues. which, amongst many things, will surely cover the political quandary created by their confrontation. If he can use his powerful office as a bully pulpit or personal charm as a rallying force to drive home "a message of restraint and dialogue" In Doth the political camps, perhaps the ordinary people will be spared the fate of hapless chilies getting crushed between mortar and
In case Bill Clinton needs to know how Important it Is for this nation, let him heed the words of one of his predecessors. Warren G Harding. 29th President of the USA. said in a speech In Boston in 1920. "America's present need is not heroics, but healing; not nostrums but normalcy; not revolution, but restoration." We thank Bill Clinton for the honor, which will be bestowed upon us by his visit. But Bangladesh's present need is not honor, but healing. Will Bill Clinton bring his healing touch to this fractious nation, and tell its politicians all about the American dream? That It Is Important for each generation to leave a better world for their successors to build a nation? If he can do that, he will accomplish more In Bangladesh In few hours than elsewhere in many days.
The author Is a banker.