A few days ago, Mr. Renaud Muselier, the French Minister of State for Foreign Affairs could not meet our Prime Minister despite a reported prior appointment. The reason was cited as "personal grounds" of the PM. Obviously, the French Minister took exception to the matter and recorded his observation in a press conference which got instant media attention and the people, within the country and without, learnt the news dumbfounded.

We do not know as to who quoted the reason as "personal grounds," but we know that such words are contrary to the common diplomatic nuance. The PM's Office as well as the Foreign Office, if those are not manned by the awfully mediocre bureaucrats, should know as to how to maintain a minimum courtesy with the distinguished foreign dignitaries. A Prime Minister might have innumerable schedules or s/he might have her personal preoccupation but there is an urbane and universally accepted style of saying sorry other than "personal grounds". After all, the French Minister is not some one who can be ignored, or is it!

We do not know either as to whether the entire scenario was cooked up to please the Bush Administration, who were visibly annoyed with the French government for their opposition to US-led invasion of Iraq. If so, this again puts our government vulnerable to very unpleasant conclusions. May we not

forget that France is our third largest trading partner and a very strong voice in the European Union, upon which we depend tremendously for trades as well as for aids. We can just ill afford to exclude our friendship with France on any ground whatsoever.

Hafeejul Alam

Dhaka

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Our diplomacy touched its low when the French State Minister for Foreign Affairs Monsignor Renaud Musilier's appointment with PM Khaleda Zia was cancelled showing personal reasons. Journalists, politicos and other concerned people genuinely voiced their anxiety over this unfriendly overture to a friendly nation. France has a long-standing relationship with the people of this region. Please remember, a number of French soldiers fought by the side of Nawab Siraj-ud-Dowla in the battle of Plassey against the imperialist forces. Again the French soldiers trained and augmented the forces of valiant Tipu Sultan of Mysore in his onerous fight against the same imperialist forces. The role of French Govt and people during our War of Liberation is well known to everyone. Of late France has become a significant partner in our development programs. The present role of President Jacque Chirac to uphold the legitimacy and relevancy of UN in settling international disputes has also

earned enormous support all over. The expressed opinion of our Govt is also basically similar with the French stand. Understandably there was pressure from the so-called 'Uni polar' administration. But should we succumb to it?

About France this is not the first mis-

handling by Khaleda Zia government. During her first term of office her official visit was cancelled at the last minute showing PM's pre occupation in the dubious Mirpur by-election. The election did not bring any laurel to her. But the closer relation which the then President

and Mme Mitterrand envisaged to usher got a serious setback.

Lastly I want to mention France is a very important country in the emerging geopolitics. The Franco-German unity is the guiding force of EU cohesion. Iraq war might have put a temporary cloud over the process. But in near future things will take proper shape. The earlier our 'Topkhana' people take a note is better.

Sonia, Dhaka

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Evidently we are to shun liberal democracies like the Republic of France and embrace those like the Junta of Myanmar.

I must say that the people in our Foreign Office deserve a pat in the back for devising such brilliant foreign policy directives.

Who do we slight next, Canada? Germany? Or heaven forbid, Switzerland? What next, rosy relationships with Mugabe of Zimbabwe?

Yahya, USA

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I do not believe that the Bangladesh bureaucracy and the PM's office is so inefficient and inept as to bungle up an important chance to cement the country's relations with France especially when our present PM had missed an opportunity to improve our relations with France in the past.

Could it be that it has something to do with a superpower?

Javed Helali

On e-mail

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This is an irrefutable diplomatic blunder. An irresponsible and arrogant, unjustifiable fumble made by the Bangladesh government.

France is an economic strong house in Europe and also a formidable military power. They have and are developing some of the latest state of the art in high technology. It has significant influence in the EU. EU stands to become a very large market for goods and services. Bangladesh just cannot afford to interject detractors that will hurt its export to Europe. In this diplomatic fiasco created wholly by the government of Bangladesh, France will certainly NOT be the loser.

I'm afraid that whatever small amounts of sympathetic feelings towards Bangladesh France had, now has a big hole blown into it by this unbelievably errant and blind savoir-faire-busting bombshell.

I can't help but wonder if the present US government induced the Bangladesh government in their pursuit of 'punishing' France!

K. Kabir

NY, USA