RAW and the Present BNP-led Government
Mohammad Zainal Abedin.

It is very unfortunate that Mr. Munir Quddus, in an opinion 'BNP-Jamat serving Indian interest' published in the News From Bangldesh website on May 23, 2005 (http://bangladesh-web.com/view. php ? hid Date = 2005-05 23&hidType=OPT&hid Record=OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO45816), used my write up ('Indian designs to hann Bangladesh using Islamic militancy as pretext'http://bangladeshweb. com/view. php?hidDate=2005-05 21&hidType=OPT&hidRecord=OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO45438), as a weapon to express his disgust and apathy against the BNP-Jammat-Ied alliance government of Bangladesh. My article indicated RA W involvement in creating so-called Islamic militant outfits in Bangladesh. The Ba..11gladeshis who are aware of Indian hegemonistic designs will certainly agree with my explanation which I mentioned in my article. Yet any person, including Mr. Munir, has the right to criticize and even condemn my arguments. But he instead of doing so he expressed his deep anguish against the government in power and such a person who is not, in fact, a part of the government. He also raised J ammat's role in 1971. In my articles I did not praise any individual or the present government. Even I did not mention their names in the article. I do not fmd any logic why Mr. Munir used my article to spread slanderous allegations. I would have been glad, if he could say that RAW was not the mastermind of the so-called Islamic militant outfits. But he went out of track and talked off the subject. I would request Mr. Munir to comment on my topic, whether RAW had a hand in floating fake Islamic militant outfits to tarnish the image of Bangladesh abroad a..11d isolate her from t..1}e international community. I have no intention to counter his allegations about the individuals and parties. He alleged that the current government is backed by RAW. The RAW might have its agent/agents within the government. It is very natural. Foreign agents and mercenaries may be there within the governments of India, USA, Israel though they maintain strong intelligence networks around the world. Foreign agents, including RA W, were there even in Sheikh Mujib's government. Mr. Munir should go through at least a book on RA W by an Indian journalist Ashok Raina('Inside RAW'). He could read books of Masudul Hasan ('RA W and CIA in the Liberation War of Bangladesh') or of mine ('RA W and Bangladesh') to get detailed information how RA W infiltrated in our national life. He may also go through the weekly 'Jaijaidin' of 21June 2005(www.jaijaidin.com). I believe RA W disturbed all the governments of Bangladesh, right from Shikh Mujib to Khaleda Zia. Bangladesh is cordoned by India not only by its territory, but also its agents. No government can set aside RA W influence overnight. But one should see whether a government tries to overcome this vicious clique. Let me cite one example to prove that the government is not controlled by RA W.

The- present government rejected the Indian plan of diverting the Asian Highway from Bangladesh to the Northeast region of India. The original plan of Asian Highway was to connect capital of one country to the capital to its immediate neighbouring country. It cannot enter the territory of any country twice. It means the highway should enter Bangladesh from India and it should go to Myanmar through Bangladesh territory. But. India to implement its ulterior designs of having the transit facility persuaded the then Hasina government to amend the plan and divert the Asian Highway. According to the amended plan, highway will come from India and again enter India (Assam) and go to Myanmar through the Northeast. By changing the plan India designed to to Kill many birds by one stone. Firstly, it technically denies Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign country. India tried to change the basic and original principle of Asian Highway of connecting one capital to other direct. India wanted to connect New Delhi and Yangoon direct, not Dhaka and Yangoon. Secondly, Asian Highway, if enters from Bangladesh to Assam it could be used as a corridor without seeking Bangladesh's consent. Thirdly, India will be in a position to impose embargo by deny the entrance of Bangladeshi vehicles to its territory, if Bangladesh does not act upon its prescription. That is, Bangladesh could be bounded totally and squeezed and it would have no other alternative, but to surrender to India. Fourthly, Bangladeshi vehicles will have to ply a long detour of hundreds of kilometres through mountainous region of Northeast India, which is infested with many secessionist and terrorist outfits. It will also be time and energy consuming journey to enter Bangladesh's immediate eastern neighbour --Myanmar. What a vicious plan India made for Bangladesh! The present government rejected the Indian design. If, according to Mr. Munir, India backs the present government, it would have never denied the Indian design. The present government undertook the policy of opening a door to its eastward near and distant neighbours. Those who know a little diplomacy and strategy will appreciate the government's 'look east policy. ' Under this policy government undertook a historical decision to construct a road through Myanmar which will connect Bangladesh with the South Asian and Fareast countries. India's fatal design of imposing economic blockade on Bangladesh will be of no use if the proposed road is constructed. If the government is controlled by RA W, why some Bangladeshi nationals and even the Indians suggested Indian government to impose economic blockade on Bangladesh or launch military invasion. This decision would be considered as the most prudent and patriotic one, once the country and the people will start to derive and enjoy its far reaching benefits.

India became crazy to frustrate the pragmatic policy of the government. The road will act as a guarantor of our sovereignty and independence, as it will help the future governments to get out of Indian claws. India knows it well and tries her best to topple the present government as soon as possible .If that is not possible just at the moment, it will try to create such a situation so that it cannot return to power in the next general elections to complete road. If a pro -India party returns to power it will send the road linking project to a deep fridge. The dismissal of the immediate past state minister for energy and mineral resources Mosharraf Hossain may possibly considered yet another blow on RA W designs in Bangladesh. 'The Daily Star', which is soft to India, on June 20, 2005, said, " the ousted state minister for energy had fallen from grace within the government about two months ago for a number of reasons, including persistently holding a stand for gas export that went against the prime -minister's stand. " The daily added, "The reasons behind Mosharrafs' resignation' Under orders from the prime minister, include his resistance to assurance of 20 years of gas supply for Indian giant Tata's investment in Bangladesh, while advocating to export of gas to India through a new deal. This had angered the Board of Investment and a powerful lobby in the ruling BNP." Quoting a PMO official 'The Daily Star' said, "The PMO received complaints that Mosharraf is tarnishing the image of the prime minister by persistently telling foreign companies and diplomats that he wants gas export (to India), but the prime minister is resisting the move..(www.thedailystar.net). Let all of us work together to end RAW influence. It will be of no use to tarnish the country's image and serve the interest of those adversaries that do not believe in our existence and sovereignty. If we work hard with patriotism we can be free from foreign influence. *
(*Mohammad Zainal Abedin is a Bangladeshi researcher & journalist.)
 

Sri Lanka: Elections ahead

With elections around the corner in Sri Lanka, Kumaratunga is mending fences with her Prime Minister.

by FRANCES BULATHSINGHALA

Sri Lanka’s 13 million voters will cast their vote on November 17 to elect the country’s fifth executive President.

And out of 13 candidates who registered with the Elections Commission for the race, only two are the main focus of the public – Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse representing the ruling party and the Opposition and United National Party leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

With the minority parties, the Muslim Congress and the CWC, representing the Tamil plantation workers pledging their support for Ranil Wickremesinghe (and the pro LTTE TNA largely expected to do the same) the bid for the Presidency will no doubt prove to be a political mathematic quiz.

For Premier Mahinda Rajapakse who has carefully cultivated his ‘man of the masses image’ who supposedly has a majority of support of the 74 percent Sinhala community, the obstructions and pitfalls come from none other than his own President.

While Rajapakse has the Marxist JVP and the monk party the JHU on his bandwagon, the burden is proving too heavy for the SLFP’s presidential hopeful who has amply earned the enmity of President Chandrika Kumaratunga for linking with the radical forces without her consent.

Nevertheless Kumaratunga is continuing to don the garb of cordiality, at least outwardly but displayed the clear divide in the thinking between herself and her Premier in her first public address on Rajapakse’s campaign platform last Tuesday. Her campaign address focused on the devolution of power as a solution to solve the ethnic issue and appeasing the LTTE, while the Prime Minister’s stand is that of a unitary state, with no powers to be given to the LTTE.

Now it seems to be a battle of the manifesto. With the Premier wanting the SLFP manifesto to emphasize the unitary state concept the President has insisted that the manifesto to be released this Sunday focus on devolution.

The consequences that Rajapakse will have to face will be dire if the President in the making of the manifesto gives no regard to the clauses in the agreements between him and the two radical parties, the JVP and the JHU.

The plus point for the suave Ranil Wickremesinghe, whose charm is appreciated by the more urbane classes, is that his campaign is free of the intrigue and uncertainty that grips Rajapakse.

Focusing on economic prosperity in his manifesto, Wickremeinghe kicked off his campaign from the historic city of Kandy on October 8, a day after the acceptance of nominations. The highlight of his inaugural public address was a soulful pledge to the Buddhist hierarchy that he will work towards unity between the UNP and the SLFP.

Analysts point out although the numbers seem to put Rajapakse in the formidable position following his links with the two radical groups, tables may easily turn, helped by the 18% Tamil support, coupled by the Muslim and non-Buddhist votes which are likely to go to Wickremesinghe.

Meanwhile Minister of Foreign Affairs Anura Bandaranaike (brother of President Kumaratunga) who earlier lashed out at Rajapakse, is finding out that he has to face reality.

Instead of continuing to lambaste the SLFP Presidential candidate for his stubborn decision to ally with the JVP, Minister Bandaranaike focuses on the most important issue at hand – the understanding that he would be made PM in the event that Rajapakse becomes the next President. He sends emissaries to patch up his rather uneasy relationship with Rajapakse and gets the assurance that he will indeed become the next PM if Mahinda Rajapakse becomes the next President.

Where the violence rigged north east is concerned the LTTE while continuing its killings at a steady pace has not yet made up its mind as to who it should support.

The chances of the rebels supporting Rajapakse seems poor as the agreement between the premier and the JVP as well as the JHU undermines the role of the LTTE in the peace process.

The deciding factor that will push the LTTE into the UNP camp will be Rajapakse’s agreement with the JVP to cancel the controversial tsunami aid sharing deal signed between the government and the rebels in June this year.

Suffering from the indignity of the travel ban imposed by the EU late September, the rebels while not making any attempt to clamp their killer fangs were instead seen putting pressure on peace-facilitating Norway to get the EU ban revoked – with a veiled threat of resuming war, if the Tigers were not allowed to romp through Europe – again.

Speculation is rife of the LTTE going for the kill once again, over a month after its last high profile assassination – of the late Foreign Lakshman Kadirgamar.

Security for the President and Prime Minister carrying out party campaigning for the November 17 polls have been tightened after Police found a cache of arms in a paddy field on Monday (Oct 10) at Marawila, Mahawewa, ahead of the President’s visit to the area to address the campaign of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.

Among the arms were a sniper rifle, two revolvers, seven hand grenades, and over 200 rounds of live ammunition.

Clearly the rebels have no intention of co-operating with the government (as requested of them through Norway) to honour the ceasefire at least in the days running up to the polls.

As far as the two main contenders of the election, Mahinda Rajapakse and Ranil Wickremesinghe are concerned, it is apparent that the euphoric battle for the hot seat has made them temporarily forget the more deadlier battle they will have to face - if elected to be the President of a country that has seen a war for twenty years and seen no peace in the past three years of the so called ceasefire.
 

Sheikh Hasina’s trip to India : Religious or Political?
----Mohammad Zainal Abedin

Sheikh Hasina once again went to India outwardly on a religious tour to Ajmer Sharif. Though Hasina and her party termed the tour as personal and religious, but available information claimed it as political and diplomatic. If she have gone to India for religious purposes, she should come back to Dhaka direct after paying tribute to the mazar of Hazrat Moinuddin Chisty. But according to available information she will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, leader of Opposition L K Advani, Defence Minister Pronab Mukharjee, Foreign Minister Natwar Singh, Security Adviser M K Narayanan, etc. in Delhi.The Indian Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) has arranged her lodging in Imperial Hotel along with her entourage who include among others Kazi Jafrullah MP, Shohel Taj MP(son of Wartime Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed), Saber Hossain Chowdhury, camera and video men. She will fly to Ajmer and Jaipur by an Indian Air Force helicopter. She will make a stopover in Kolkata where she will stay in Hyatt Regent Hotel
arranged by MEA and meet the present and past Chief Ministers of West Bengal Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and Jyoti Basu. What a religious or personal tour it is!

None should have any objection if Sheikh Hasina meets the Indian high profile personalities. But when she conceals her real motive of touring to India declaring it personal under the cover religious tour, one should have the right to question the integrity and sincerity, better to
say, honesty of a former Prime Minister. Our people still believe that a high-ranking personality like Shiekh Hasina cannot lie for political or personal gain. It is difficult to calculate why Sheikh Hasina failed to speak out the truth that she went to India to hold talks with Indian
leaders. Why she tried to hide the truth, which she can never bury? Such policy will only question her sincerity and integrity and undermine her image and acceptability.

Prior her visit to India, Indian High Commissioner Veena Sikri, called on Sheikh Hasina at her residence. If her tour to India was purely personal one, having no political link, why Sikri should call on her just on the eve of her visit. Shikri’s long discussion with Hasina unveiled
the real motive of Hasina’s visit to India. Critics allege that the Indian government arranged Sheikh Hasina’s visit. Veena Sikri called on her to brief her on what issues and in what way she would talk with the Indian policymakers in and outside the government.

It is mysterious why India, bypassing the Prime Minister of Bangladesh prefers to welcome the leader of the opposition. Is the leader of the opposition more important than that of the Prime Minister of a country? After the debacle of Awami League in the 2001 election, India
officially welcomed Sheikh Hasina with state status, which is generally offered to the Prime of a country. This type policy of India is very indicative and significant, which means Sheikh Hasina enjoys acceptability New Delhi more than anyone else of Bangladesh. It is to be mentioned that as India did not show any interest to develop the bilateral relations, Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's visit to India could not be materialised during the last four years.

Recalling Hasina’s old records, knowledgeable sources alleged that Hasina basically avails of her foreign tours to defame the government and the country. Whenever she visits India she obviously lodges complaints against the government accusing it for alleged minority persecution, human rights violation, advent of Islamic militancy in the country, etc. She even claimed that the Bangladeshi Hindus, to get rid of persecution migrated to India after the BNP-led alliance government voted to power in 2001. On several occasions she even invited foreign intervention to end what she called Islamic militancy in Bangladesh. What patriotism of
a former Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition it is!

Her present tour to India is very significant due to several reasons. It is believed that her main agenda during her talks with the Indian leaders is to throw the Bangladesh government to more embarrassing situation to ensure AL’s return to power in the next general election
scheduled to be held early 2007. Sheikh Hasina and her party, above all India, are worried seeing the acceptability and popularity of the BNP-led alliance government to the people despite some of their errors and failures. Hasina's AL despite, hectic and coordinated efforts, could not organize viable and effective mass movement during the last four years. All
the efforts to embarrass the government utterly flopped. The so-called ‘trump card’ of AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil, grenade attack of August 21, 2004, Kibria killing, serial bomb attacks of August 17, 2005 failed to create mass uprising in the country as expected by AL. All the hartals imposed by AL during the last four years got little response from the people. Even the most publicised 14-party hartal on September 21, had no impact on the normalcy of the country. There is no chance of so-called mass uprising against the government in near future. The demand of reforming the Caretaker Government and the Election Commission,
which needs the amendment of the constitution also failed to get people’s support. Four-party alliance retains unity despite continued conspiracies orchestrated by its adversaries of home and abroad. AL’s hope to return to power seems to be a far cry. The situation worries AL and India as well.

Knowledgeable sources believe that the main agenda of Hasina’s visit to India is to workout ways and means to ensure the victory of AL and its allies in the next election. It is assumed that Sheikh Hasina will be briefed about Indian strategy in the election year. Though India
declared to attend the postponed SAARC Summit scheduled to be held in mid-November, India and AL may explore new excuses to postpone it again to throw the government in awkward position. She might also discuss the possibility of forming a so-called national government in lieu of a care taker one as stipulated in the constitution. During her stay in India she will obtain guidelines from Indian side, while she will avail of the visit to lodge complaints against the government. She may suggest the Indians to create crisis of daily necessaries which come from India. Nation will surely see what guidelines Sheikh Hasina gets from India during her current visit. If after her visit to India, nation faces any unpredictable unease or untoward incidents , people in general and the patriotic forces of the country in particular, who do not favour hobnobbing of any individual or party with India, will ascribe its responsibility on Sheikh Hasina. One of the major causes of Sheikh Hasina and her party’s debacle in 2001 election was their excessive pro- Indian stand. People expected Sheikh Hasina and party would have analysed the reasons that contributed their defeat and avoid and amend those to gain people’s faith and support. But Sheikh Hasina’s artifice of branding and colouring a political mission to India as personal one will surely distance her from the people further. It is to be mentioned that during the last four years, Sheikh Hasina never went to Makkah to perform Hajj or Umrah, what she annually used to do before 2001. But she went to India
repeatedly in the name of visiting Ajmer. This is also a questionable change in Hasina’s policy. What explanation does she have?*

• Mohammad Zainal Abedin is a Researcher and Journalist.

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