Comments on Clandestine arms trade and the trial
Ref: http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/05/21/news0798.htm
The disclosure by the top former Army directors puts to rest the controversy that the BNP government was directly involved in arms shipment to rebel groups. While transparency with all government activities is much desirable, such a disclosure in an open court is sometimes viewed as compromising national interest. Not surprisingly that former U.S. Vice President Cheney is so upset with the Obama Administration for releasing torture memos and photos.
As the New Nation report shows such clandestine activities are rather common and very few countries with problem neighbors or hegemonic aspirations can escape from being embarrassed from such disclosures. For decades, India had her hands full with the LTTE and the Shanti Bahini collaboration to destabilize Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, respectively. Pakistan was involved with the Taliban. During our own nation's bloody struggle for liberation in 1971, although India had not officially committed to our independence before August of that year, she was involved in not only providing training to our Muktijoddhas but sent them with arms to destabilize the Pakistan regime months earlier. It is not difficult to understand why at one time Bangladesh government may have allowed shipment of arms to the ULFA rebels.
Knowing that such engagements are often counter productive and can only cause tension with neighbors, it is important that such activities are abandoned and instead all efforts are made toward improving bilateral relationships with a problem neighbor. Bangladesh should be able to discuss her love-hate relationship with India and find out a workable formula that aims at strengthening the bond at equal footing. Realizing Bangladesh's geo-strategic location, India can ill-afford to treat Bangladesh as her new Sikkim. With an Awami League government in power, she should waste no time to revising her policies in respect to Bangladesh and desist from activities that are mutually destructive. Let wisdom and not narrow self-interest guide leaders on both sides to cement the bilateral relationship and create an atmosphere of mutual trust and prosperity for both peoples - Bangladeshis and Indians.
The disclosure by the top former Army directors puts to rest the controversy that the BNP government was directly involved in arms shipment to rebel groups. While transparency with all government activities is much desirable, such a disclosure in an open court is sometimes viewed as compromising national interest. Not surprisingly that former U.S. Vice President Cheney is so upset with the Obama Administration for releasing torture memos and photos.
As the New Nation report shows such clandestine activities are rather common and very few countries with problem neighbors or hegemonic aspirations can escape from being embarrassed from such disclosures. For decades, India had her hands full with the LTTE and the Shanti Bahini collaboration to destabilize Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, respectively. Pakistan was involved with the Taliban. During our own nation's bloody struggle for liberation in 1971, although India had not officially committed to our independence before August of that year, she was involved in not only providing training to our Muktijoddhas but sent them with arms to destabilize the Pakistan regime months earlier. It is not difficult to understand why at one time Bangladesh government may have allowed shipment of arms to the ULFA rebels.
Knowing that such engagements are often counter productive and can only cause tension with neighbors, it is important that such activities are abandoned and instead all efforts are made toward improving bilateral relationships with a problem neighbor. Bangladesh should be able to discuss her love-hate relationship with India and find out a workable formula that aims at strengthening the bond at equal footing. Realizing Bangladesh's geo-strategic location, India can ill-afford to treat Bangladesh as her new Sikkim. With an Awami League government in power, she should waste no time to revising her policies in respect to Bangladesh and desist from activities that are mutually destructive. Let wisdom and not narrow self-interest guide leaders on both sides to cement the bilateral relationship and create an atmosphere of mutual trust and prosperity for both peoples - Bangladeshis and Indians.
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