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Govt may move to bring back fugitive war criminals

Diplomatic efforts to be made for this, says foreign minister

Staff Correspondent
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni yesterday said if necessary the government will take initiatives to have fugitive war criminals of 1971 extradited from foreign countries.
She also said that her government wants to label Bangladesh as 'a secular country with a Muslim majority', rather than as a moderate Muslim country'.
She made the comments at a seminar on "Bangladesh's foreign policy and foreign relations: priorities, challenges and opportunities” at Bangladesh Enterprise Institute with its president, ex-ambassador also former foreign secretary Farooq Sobhan, in the chair.
Replying to a query, the foreign minister said diplomatic efforts are on to have the liberation war criminals extradited and 'if necessary the government will take appropriate initiatives regarding the matter'.
"I hope no civilised nation in the world will stand in favour of the war criminals," Dipu Moni, the first ever female foreign minister of the country added.
She also said her government will ensure international standards in maintaining the due process involving the United Nations in trying the war criminals.
Dipu Moni said her ministry will take initiatives to collect from foreign countries evidence of war crimes committed in Bangladesh during the 1971 liberation war.
In response to a query about whether Bangladesh is a moderate Muslim country, Dipu Moni said, "We are a secular country with a Muslim majority and this is our identity, our country is born with this identity and I don't think there is any reason to disown this identity."
"At present many persons label different countries with different names. But it doesn't mean that we should accept those," she added.
"There is no reason to accept those labels, if they don't match our culture and heritage," she said.
When her attention was drawn to Friday's 'crossfire' in the capital by Rapid Action Battalion, Dipu Moni replied, "The matter will be investigated."
"Our government hasn't shifted from its position of upholding human rights, we will investigate the matter," she said.
Replying to a question regarding whether arrested British citizen Faisal Mostafa will be allowed access to consular facilities, the foreign minister said, "We will look into the matter in light of the law."
She stressed the need for regional integrated approach and regional connectivity for the betterment of the entire region.
Former ambassadors gathered at the seminar stressed that Bangladesh needs a proactive and dynamic foreign policy to meet the critical challenges thrown by the current global economic recession, for facing the adverse impacts of climate change and terrorism, to attract more investment, and to expand export.
Some former ambassadors stressed the need for restructuring the foreign ministry and Bangladesh's foreign missions giving the top priority to thecountry's interest.
Former ambassador Ashfaqur Rahman said Bangladesh has 'only foreign relations but no foreign policy'. He therefore suggested that a task force be commissioned to frame an effective foreign policy.
Dipu Moni agreed with a suggestion that the parliament should have discussions on the country's foreign policy.
She said Bangladesh will pursue 'look east' policy strengthening relations with China, Japan, and Asean countries as well as relations with Muslim countries.
Asked whether there is any
change in the new government's foreign policy, she said the government will not discontinue the past foreign policy just because it was framed by past governments or other parties.
"Whatever is necessary and important for the country must be pursued," she said.
Asked whether the government will pursue a policy of engagement and force in tackling terrorism, the foreign minister replied, the government prefers intense engagement through bring ing changes in the education system to tackle the menace of terrorism rather than applying force.
She however noted 'the government will not hesitate to apply force, if needed’.
Ambassadors and high commissioners and other representatives of the US, European Commission, Australia, Sri Lanka, Norway, Turkey, China, Switzerland, and Iran were present among other diplomats.
Former Bangladesh ambassadors Barrister Harun ur Rashid, Zia Shams, QAMA Rahim, SM Rashid Ahmed, Shabbir Ahmed, Anwarul Chowdhury, Mahbub Alam, Mubin Chowdhury, and Shahid Akhtar, and Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BUSS) Director General Maj Gen Sheikh Mohammad Moniruzzaman also spoke among others.