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Foreign Policy of Bangladesh 1996-2001
MULTILATERAL DIPLOMACY Non Alignment Non Alignment is one of the cornerstones of Bangladesh Foreign Policy. The importance of non alignment in the foreign policy of Bangladesh was conceived by the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as he very firmly believed that as a developing country, Bangladesh’s interest lay in peace and development instead of aligning itself with any power bloc. Bangladesh’s commitment to principles of Non Alignment was reiterated in clear terms when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the first delegation of independent Bangladesh to the Non Aligned Summit Meeting in Algiers in 1973. At that meeting, the Father of the nation underlined the basic principles of the country’s foreign policy. His participation had a profound impact on the leaders of the Movement and initiated the process of our membership to the UN. Since then, Bangladesh has played an active role in NAM and its policy of moderation, as espoused by Bangabandhu received widespread recognition both within and outside the NAM. The present Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has full confidence in the relevance of the NAM in the post-Cold War era. It believed that although the East West confrontation is now a matter of the past, the dangers to peace and security have not been eliminated. New threats have emerged. Poverty that affects an overwhelming majority of the world’s population is a major threat to peace and security. The impact of globalization on the developing countries and LDCs calls for international cooperation. In the face of the new challenges, the NAM continues to be a forceful political forum of the developing countries to protect and project their interests in international relations. Taking into account this reality, Bangladesh, under the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken active role in NAM activities and in its reform to make it stronger in the future. The 115 member Movement in recognition of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership had unanimously approved the hosting of the next Summit of the NAM in Dhaka in 2001. This will be the largest ever gathering of world leaders in the history of Bangladesh. The successful holding of the Summit will not only put Bangladesh at the centre of world attention but also make a place for her to take important and vital decisions in global affairs. As the next NAM Chair, Bangladesh is already a member of the NAM Troika and playing a very important role in all NAM decisions. The NAM Chairpersonship is a pride and glory for all people of Bangladesh and we are grateful to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for leading us to this opportunity. The Commonwealth The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the first Bangladesh delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 1973. At that meeting Bangladesh joined to this unique group of nations in which developed and developing, sharing common political, legislative and administrative systems cooperated for economic and social development. The most remarkable aspect of the Ottawa meeting was that the members countries did not hesitate to welcome Bangladesh as a new member despite Pakistan’s decision to withdraw its membership in protest. Bangladesh’s stature in the Commonwealth was substantially raised during the ensure of the present Government. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s participation at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Edinburgh in October, 1997 and in Durban in 1999 has contributed immensely to Bangladesh playing an leading role in various Commonwealth programmes. The holding of the free and fair elections in 1996 under a caretaker government had positive impact at the CHOGM because democracy and good governance is high in the agenda of Commonwealth consultations. As a recognition of the present Government’s commitment to Democracy, Bangladesh was elected as a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) at the Durban CHOGM. The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh will represent Bangladesh in his important Commonwealth body. Besides CHOGM, Bangladesh was represented at the annual Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meetings, Commonwealth Law Ministers’ Meetings, and the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meetings at the ministerial level. Bangladesh’s active involvement in the Commonwealth produced handsome dividends for the nation in terms of training of personal and transfer of technology in the fields of Education, Agriculture, Health and Sanitation, etc. The Commonwealth Business Council setup at the Edinburg CHOGM and the fund for South Asia contributed to the development of the private sector and cooperation in trade and commerce among the developing countries. Organization of the Islamic Conference Bangladesh became a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman when held Bangladesh to the OIC Summit in Lahore in 1974. Bangabandhu’s participation in the Lahore OIC Summit laid the foundation of lasting brotherly relations with the Islamic countries and firmly established Bangladesh’s position in the Muslim world. Bangladesh’s esteem in the Organization of the Islamic Conference gained new heights with the participation of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Eighth Summit Conference of the OIC held in Tehran on 23rd March 1997 and the Ninth OIC Summit in Doha. Qatar in 2000. At these two Summits, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated her Government’s strong commitment to uphold the goals and ideals of the OIC, Bangladesh’ support to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to self determination and statehood, the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from all occupied Arab land and the urgent need for greater economic and commercial cooperation among the Islamic countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina successfully projected the huge manpower huge manpower resource of Bangladesh that contributed to greater employment opportunities for Bangladeshi skilled labour and professionals in the Muslim countries. The Bangladesh proposal for creating an Islamic Common market was also supported by the member countries. Bangladesh at the United Nations Surely, the center place for all multilateral diplomacy is the United Nations and the stage for Bangladesh’s place in the world body and the role to play in international affairs was set when the Father of the Nation addressed the United Nations General Assembly on 25th September 1974 as the first Head of Government of the newly independent and sovereign state of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu’s memorable speech was of historic significance as it not only outlined the basic tenets of the nation’s foreign policy based on peace and friendship with all nations of the world but also underscored the importance and significance of multilateralism in Bangladesh’s foreign policy. The Father of the Nation underscored the special significance of the United Nations for Bangladesh stating that ‘the noble ideals enshrined in the United Nations Charter are the very ideals for which the people of Bangladesh made their supreme sacrifices. The achievements of the present Government in the area of multilateral diplomacy to say the least have been unprecedented. Today, Bangladesh at the United National and other international organizations is held in great respect and admiration. This position can be attributed to the vision and leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her commitment to Peace, Security and Development. This is no empty boast. The tribute comes from no less a person than the Secretary General of the United Nations on the occasion of the Twenty Fifth Anniversary of Bangladesh’s membership the United Nations in September 1999: Quote: “Bangladesh is a model member of the United Nations, providing leadership amongst the least developed countries, and in the General Assembly and other UN for a, and contributing substantially to peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. At the same time its benefits from considerable assistance for development from the UN System. The United Nations recognizes the pioneering role Bangladesh is playing in development issues and programmes, as well as the country’s efforts to build a just and peaceful foundation for national development. I wish the Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the people of Bangladesh all success in their endeavors to build a ‘Sonar Bangla’, a Bangladesh in which all can live in peace and prosperity. The United Nations, which is also changing to meet the needs of the next century, is proud to be your partner is success.’ During the past four and half years, the Government has taken creative initiatives in the United Nations at the highest level involving the dynamic and charismatic leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a number of important issues and has maintained a high profile through a proactive and substantive role on global issues having in particular a direct impact on the developing countries. Besides, Bangladesh continued to remain actively involved in the institutional, policy making and thematic issues of the UN. It remained vocal, visible and active in the UN General Assembly and its Main Committees, as well as at the ECOSOC and its various subsidiary bodies and in the disarmament forums on areas related to socio-economic development, micro-credit, environmental concerns, promotion of LDC concerns, UN reforms, human rights, in particular that of women, children, minorities and other vulnerable groups, disarmament, international peace and security issues, peace-keeping efforts and in further enhancing the national image at the UN. The policy of the present Government at the UN and other international forums is designed on the vision of the Father of the Nation to firmly establish Bangladesh’s image in international relations as a peace loving country that is committed to democracy, equality, tolerance, justice and respect for human rights and human dignity. The present Government since its assumption of office in 1996, has taken a lead in South Asia to further the case of international peace, security and development through a pro-active role in the United Nations. The leadership provided by Hon’ble Prime Minister in this respect is of particular significance. Under the present government, Bangladesh’s profile in the UN has reached unprecedented heights as a result of the progressive, positive and forward-looking foreign policy and the personal commitment of the Hon’ble Prime Minister to the cause of global peace and development. Some of these achievements are reflected in:
The Hon’ble Prime Minister has attended the UNGA sessions in 1996, 1999 and 2000. The Hon’ble Prime Minister on all these occasions worked towards garnering the support of the international community for the causes of peace and development, and to project the efforts and government towards institutionalization of democracy and for the promotion of economic and social development in the country. The Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s successful participation at the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000 added a new momentum in Bangladesh’s pro-active role in the UN. At the Summit, the Hon’ble Prime Minister was successful in upholding the commitment made by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the world body 26 years ago and in contributing to a vision for the role of the UN in the 21st century. The Hon’ble Prime Minister used the occasion to raise global awareness on issues relating to poverty, socio-economic development and the linkage between peace and development. The profile of Bangladesh in international relations reached a new benchmark with Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s participation in the UN Security Council Summit in New York in September 2000. This was only the second time in the history of the United Nations that Security Council held a Summit meeting and history was made with the participation of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina to represent our country and people. This was the first time in the history of the UN Security Council that a major policy statement was made in Bangla by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In her statement, the Hon’ble Prime Minister underscored the critical importance for the Council’s support for poverty eradication, sustainable development, democracy and good governance, human rights and rule of law for ensuring durable peace. In the context of the Summit theme “ensuring an effective role of the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security, particularly in Africa"” the Hon’ble Prime Minister urged for Council action against those who capture power by illegally overthrowing any constitutionally elected government. She also proposed that the Council, which had the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, to support and sustain ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people’ as a universal system of governance and never to recognize illegal military takeover of power by trampling constitutional systems. The Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s commitment to the UN has brought in tangible results for the nation. In 1999, Bangladesh were unanimously elected to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for the term 2000-2001. Since its election, Bangladesh have been intimately involved in taking major decision concerning international peace and security In the year 2001. A further reflection of the trust and confidence reposed on Bangladesh by the international community was the unanimous endorsement of Bangladesh’s bid for hosting the 13th NAM Summit and assuming the Chair of the 115 member movement in 2002. The Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s contributions to the cause of peace and human rights both nationally and internationally brought her the honour of winning the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize in 1999. In the Hague Peace Conference, the Hon’ble Prime Minister also made a strong call for upholding the cause of peace for humanity and her winning of the UNESCO Peace Prize was yet another recognition of her contribution to the cause of international peace. Besides some of the achievements enumerated above, Bangladesh’s election to the following important bodies of the United Nations during the tenure of the present government is also reflective of the constructive and responsible role of Bangladesh in the international community and the confidence enjoyed by it: Bangladesh’s Election to various UN bodies
In addition to the above, as a member of the Security Council, Bangladesh was elected as the Chairman of the Working Group on Sanctions to review the entire sanctions regime of the UN. Bangladesh was also elected as the Chairman of the Security Council Sanctions Committee on Sierra Leon e and the Vice-Chair of the UNSC Sanctions Committee on Libya. Furthermore, Bangladesh was also elected as the Chairman of the five year review session for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD+5), Chairman of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary Questions) of the 52nd session of the UNGA, Chairman of the UNICEF Executive Board (1999); Vice-Chairman of the Decade Review of the World Summit on Children, Chairman of the Nairobi Chapter of the Group of 77 and China in 1998, Chairman of the UN Commission on Human Settlements (1998), Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (1997), five subsidiary bodies of the UNESCO (1998-2000), Executive Board of the World Health Organization (1998-2000), Vice-Chairman of ECOSOC in 1998, Vice-Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights for its 54th Session in 1999 and Chairman of the WTO Committee on Trade and Development in 1998. Bangladesh’s election to all these important and highly competitive elective bodies is a clear manifestation of the confidence of the international community on Bangladesh and its commitment and role as a responsible and effective member of the world comity. During the last four and half years. Bangladesh has continued to rank among the leading troop contributing countries in UN Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO), reaching an all-time high in the last one year with participation in 10 out of he 15 on-going peacekeeping missions and with nearly 3300 troops (both military and civilian component) deployed in various missions. Recently, Bangladesh diversified its participation UNPKOs by contributing more civilian police, including women police officers to East Timor, as well as, a naval contingent to Sierra Leone. Besides, Bangladesh is also involved in 6 ongoing projects under the Operation Kuwait Punargathan with 590 military personnel currently deployed and in 2 projects under the Skilled Technical Manpower to Kuwait, where Bangladesh has deployed so far a total of 2779 personnel. Development Issues Bangladesh bas been effectively playing the role of the Coordinator of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and has initiated major initiatives on their behalf in different international foram. As he LDC Coordinator, Bangladesh also exercises a leadership role in the G-77. As a developing country, Bangladesh have actively promoted the cause of a right to development. At the first-even Micro-Credit Summit held in Washington, DC in 1997, the Hon’ble Prime Minister as a Co-Chair had declared that her government would work towards promoting micro-credit as a important tool for poverty eradication and empowerment of women around the world. Since then, Bangladesh has taken the leadership in the UN for the adoption of a resolution entitled “Role of Micro-credit in the Eradication of Poverty”. It was on Bangladesh initiative that the UN proclaimed the year 2005 as the International Year of Micro-credit.
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