oN March 26 the writer was fortunate enough to attend Bangladesh's independence Day celebration party at the Turkish center, across the street from the United Nations in New York city. Minister (Press) Mr. M. Muhaddes invited the writer to the party on behalf of Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, Dr. iftekhar Ahmed chowdhury. The Ambassador greeted each of the guests as they entered the reception room. Hors d'oeuvres, soft drinks and fruit juices were served. About two hundred guests were entertained to a sumptuous Bangladeshi buffet, complete with biriyani, kabab and finger desserts. Guests representing other nations, as well as dignitaries of Bangladeshi origin such as columbia University's Professor Rawnak Jahan graced the gathering. The same day Bangladesh Ambassador to the US threw an independence Day party for about four hundred guests at the Bangladesh embassy in Washington Dc. That party was attended by among others the US under secretary of state for the region. Alcohol was not served at either of the parties, which is commendable. Unfortunately, neither tea nor coffee was served after dinner at either party, which probably was an oversight. Bangladesh could have garnered some free publicity if the reception rooms were decorated with posters depicting facets of Bangladeshi life.

At the New York party, conversations in languages representing Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America reminded everyone of the international nature of the gathering. At such gatherings talk inevitably turns to politics. israel's mass murderer Sharon's murder of leader wheelchair-confined, elderly Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was condemned, America's veto to exonerate mass murderer Sharon was predicted, and the UN Security council's degeneration into an oppressive instrument to serve israeli, American and British interests was universally acknowledged and lamented. on the other hand, Bangladesh's exemplary role as international peacekeepers was profusely praised.

Whenever Bangladeshis get together, domestic politics takes front and center stage. When they talk of their native land, the overwhelming majority of expatriate Bangladeshis look beyond the political parties. Their sole concern is the welfare of Bangladesh. As such, expatriate Bangladeshis are deeply concerned about the deteriorating law and order situation. Development and prosperity is Bangladesh's, if only law and order can be restored. And law and order remains the responsibility of the government. The ruling party must not intimidate or oppress the opposition. Expatriate Bangladeshis also believe that an elected government must be allowed to serve out its term. Any attempt to oust the government through extraparliamentary means must be

foiled. Expatriate Bangladeshis do not believe in hartal culture. Hartal hurts the nation's economy. it curtails an individual's freedom of movement and the right to earn a living. it is akin to the forcible imposition of martial law for a day or two by a political party only in the party's own interest, on the unwilling citizenry. Hartal should be made illegal. Expatriate Bangladeshis are disillusioned with the top leadership of both the major parties, and believe that a change at the top is urgently called for.

israel exists only because of the absolute power of the American Jews over the American government. America is cozying up to india and outsourcing thousands of American jobs there because of the successful lobbying by indian Americans for their homeland. Bangladeshi Americans are as patriotic about their native land as any. Yet, they believe that Bangladesh government seeks very little assistance from Bangladeshi Americans as to how to positively influence American policy towards Bangladesh. While the American media praises democracies to the hilt, even The New York Times neglects to mention Bangladesh as a Muslim-majority nation practicing democracy for the last fifteen years! if the Bangladeshi embassy and consular offices join forces with local Bangladeshi Americans, such oversights can be corrected and Bangladesh can be portrayed in the proper positive image and receive the rewards it has accrued.