Hillary Clinton due in Dhaka on May 5

[Roybot]

India is too big a player to be anyone's ally(read sidekick). India and US will cooperate in areas which are of mutual interest but that's about it.

 

[TopCat]

Similarly, no decision has been made about signing a “strategic partnership” or defence deal with Washington at this moment.

I read it in Prothom Alo that Bangladesh did not like the word Strategic in the name of the agreement. They changed that to "US-Bangladesh Partnership" agreement. How you guys read that?

 

[Mehnab Khan]

ONE ELEVEN GHOST RETURNS IN BANGLADESH

 

[eastwatch]

Friendship with US sees new era

Saturday, May 5, 2012Front PageFriendship with US sees new era
Hillary due today; economic, security cooperation high on agenda
Rezaul Karim

Bangladesh hopes Hillary Clinton's visit will take Dhaka's political, economic and security cooperation with Washington to a new height and clear the clouds that recently shrouded the ties over Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus.

The US Secretary of State will arrive in Dhaka today. During her less-than-24-hour stay, Hillary would hold talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia, said official sources.

She is also expected to meet Yunus whose removal as the managing director of Grameen Bank prompted Washington to warn that the government move might affect the bilateral relations unless he was allowed to have a respectable exit from the bank he founded to pull millions of poor rural women out of poverty.

Since then Dhaka and Washington worked patiently to overcome the tension spawned from the Yunus issue and took some significant steps to warm up the relations.

Hillary's visit, which is seen here as a major diplomatic triumph for Sheikh Hasina's government, follows a series of high-level visits by US officials in recent months.

Last month, the US and Bangladesh held their first-ever security cooperation talks in Dhaka. It signified that Washington was keen on moving forward despite concerns over the Grameen Bank without Yunus' leadership and the state of human rights in Bangladesh.

Hillary is due to arrive from Beijing at 4:10pm leading the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue for her country. Foreign Minister Dipu Moni will receive her at the VVIP Lounge of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. After Bangladesh, the US secretary of state will go to New Delhi.

Dhaka has taken unprecedented security measures centring the visit. Hillary will be hosted like a head of state with Special Security Force deployed the whole time of her stay.

Her visit will coincide the visit of Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is due to arrive in Dhaka from Manila today at 9:00pm. Mukherjee will be given the same status of reception as of Hillary.

The US secretary of state will lead a 38-member delegation, including 14 media personalities. As per the programme schedule, Hillary will first join the bilateral talks with her Bangladesh counterpart Dipu Moni at 6:00pm at the Prime Minister's Office.

Dhaka is expected to request for duty- and quota-free access of readymade garments, Bangladesh's inclusion in the Millennium Challenge Account, development assistance and economic cooperation, and reiterate the long-standing demand for the deportation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's condemned killer Rashed Chowdhury from the USA.

The US side will raise the issues of political stalemate, human rights situation, governance and killing of labour leader Aminul Islam at the talks. Besides, it will push for inking the Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (Ticfa), engagement and cooperation between the two militaries, strategic collaboration to tackle militancy in South Asia and elsewhere, regional counterterrorism, energy cooperation and security in the Bay of Bengal.

The two countries are expected to strike a joint document styled “Declaration of Bangladesh-US Partnership Cooperation”, which will work as a platform to discuss all bilateral issues and cooperation.

After the meeting, Hillary and Dipu Moni will address a joint press briefing at 7:00pm on the outcome of the talks.

The US secretary will then call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for half-an-hour at her office which will be followed by about an hour's meet with Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office.

Hillary and Khaleda will discuss different bilateral issues, the country's political stalemate over the mechanism of holding the next general election, human rights situation, disappearances of BNP leaders, including that of Ilias Ali's, repression on the opposition activists etc.

Bangladesh foreign minister will host a dinner in honour of the US secretary. Hillary is expected to meet the representatives of the civil society and Prof Yunus tomorrow.

She will leave for New Delhi Sunday around noon.

 

[Zabaniyah]

I read it in Prothom Alo that Bangladesh did not like the word Strategic in the name of the agreement. They changed that to "US-Bangladesh Partnership" agreement. How you guys read that?

The term, "strategic partnership" is vague. In fact, it doesn't mean anything. Small countries are of no consequence. She probably just dropped by to see Dr. Yunus

 

[eastwatch]

I read it in Prothom Alo that Bangladesh did not like the word Strategic in the name of the agreement. They changed that to "US-Bangladesh Partnership" agreement. How you guys read that?

1) The word 'Strategic Partnership' implies a military partnership. This should not be the case when it is the relationship between BD and USA. So, it is ok if it is 'US-Bangladesh Partnership.' However, I expect a kind of military cooperation relationship between the two unequal countries as it has been during the last few years.

2) I expect, the BD-USA relationship will certainly not be revolving around Delhi. Rather, there will be a separate BD-US relationship that will work to dissuade BD not to provide any base facilities to China.

3) BD can provide a very important linkage to China's naval ambition in the BoB. Without a base/anchorage facility in BD, China's sea trade route is vulnerable in the Indian Ocean. This is why the USA will keep on discouraging such a base in BD.

4) BD and USA have already established a permanent military consultative body to look after the defence issues of BD. USA will also see that India does not meddle in the BD affairs. US declaration that BoB security is the sole responsibility of Bangladesh is the newest input in the US position vis-a-vis Bangladesh.

 

[ebr77]

Clinton arrives


Sat, May 5th, 2012 4:45 pm BdST

Dhaka, May 5 (bdnews24.com) — The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, arrived Saturday afternoon on a 24-hour trip during which Bangladesh would vigorously pursue duty-free access for its garment products.

She was greeted by foreign minister Dipu Moni after her plane touched down Hazarat Shahajalal International Airport around 4:45pm.

They are scheduled to have formal talks at the prime minister's office later on the day.

The meeting is expected to be followed by a joint press briefing.

Hillary stayed at the airport for some time instead of going straight to the hotel as scheduled as her entourage arrived a bit late.

Ambassador Dan Mozena briefed Clinton on the plane as they had not enough time to first go to the hotel before reaching the Prime Minister's Office for the formal talks, officials said.

Clinton will go straight to the PMO from the airport for her meetings and a joint press conference.

A declaration on Bangladesh-US Partnership Cooperation is also expected to be signed during the visit. The US has similar partnership deals with India and China to hold regular dialogue.

Clinton will also meet prime minister Sheikh Hasina and leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia.

She will also meet Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, BRAC chairman Fazle Hasan Abed and members of the civil society.

bdnews24.com/rn/1720h
Clinton arrives | Bangladesh | bdnews24.com

 

[Zabaniyah]

Some images:

Hold talks for credible polls

Hillary spurs political actors to sort out differences for democracy, slates disappearances, hartal; annual US-Bangladesh talks pledged

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday urged all political actors in Bangladesh to settle their differences through dialogue and plan for holding the next general election in a free, fair and credible manner.

She expressed concern about the disappearance of BNP leader Ilias Ali and the killing of a labour leader, and called for independent probe into the incidents.

“We urge all political actors to work together regardless of their differences. All political actors must work together for constructive dialogue so that democracy get sustained path,” she said at a joint press briefing at the Prime Minister's Office in Dhaka after a 75-minute talks with her counterpart Dipu Moni.

The two top diplomats later signed the “Joint Declaration on Bangladesh-US Dialogue on Partnership.”

“We want to see Bangladesh as a prosperous democratic country despite challenges of democratic process,” said Hillary who arrived in Dhaka yesterday on a two-day visit.

She stressed the need for a consensus among all people in Bangladeshi on all fundamental issues for democracy, sustainable development and the rule of law. “Democracy must flourish in Bangladesh.”

“We support flourishing of democracy and the rule of law. We urge all political actors to work together for the good of this country.”

Hillary said everybody has a role to play in democracy.

“We came as a friend and partner…we raise these issues as we are friend and partner of Bangladesh.”

On the role of civil society, the top US diplomat said civil society is a model and inspiration for flourishing democracy in any country. It is essential that civil society groups operate freely in Bangladesh, she said.

Hillary said they discussed the killing of labour leader Aminul Islam and the disappearance of BNP leader Ilias Ali, and she urged the government to carry out independent investigation into the incidents.

She said Foreign Minister Dipu Moni assured that the government is probing all these incidents.

“Any violence, disappearance or repression on civil society and press is contrary to democracy and rule of law,” Hillary said.

She mentioned the deaths of five people during the recent hartals in Bangladesh. She said violent shutdowns hit the poor and vulnerable people and gives negative signal to investors and the international community.

She, however, said, “We support democracy, freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly…We urge all to settle their differences through dialogue. We want democracy to sustain in Bangladesh.”

Hillary said she believes that Bangladesh would not allow terrorists and extremists any transit or training to commit violence against Bangladesh or any other country.

On the Bangladesh-US security dialogue held last month in Dhaka, she said both the sides had very positive discussions on bilateral defence cooperation and shared the values of peace and stability in the region.

Talking about Bangladesh's triumph over a maritime dispute with Myanmar, she said “I think future of Bangladesh is extremely positive. It gives clear demarcation of the maritime boundary so Bangladesh can begin exploration of resources in the sea for the benefit of the people of Bangladesh.”

The top US diplomat said she thinks there should be a room for cooperation to protect the investments regarding natural resources. She said it is important to have protection against piracy as maritime trade and exploration continue to increase.

Hold talks for credible polls

Also to meet Dr. Yunus today:
<i>Hillary meets Yunus today</i>

 

[Luffy 500]

Wonder what's going on behind close doors. Why did Pranab mukerji chose this time to visit BD?

 

[Zabaniyah]

Awami League + Democracy? Somewhat of a mismatch if you ask me

Wonder what's going on behind close doors. Why did Pranab mukerji chose this time to visit BD?

Not much to brag/worry about really. Small countries are usually of little or no consequence for the US. She did express the three key interests of her country in Bangladesh. Democracy, Development and Denial Terrorists. That's all they are interested.

As far as the AL's relationship with India go, we just have to see Something tells me things won't be pretty for the AL after the 2014 elections.

 

[Black Widow]

Awami League + Democracy? Somewhat of a mismatch if you ask me



Not much to brag/worry about really. Small countries are usually of little or no consequence for the US. She did express the three key interests of her country in Bangladesh. Democracy, Development and Denial Terrorists. That's all they are interested.

As far as the AL's relationship with India go, we just have to see Something tells me things won't be pretty for the AL after the 2014 elections.

You are right, but the same time, BD can reap benefits from USA .

 

[Zabaniyah]

You are right, but the same time, BD can reap benefits from USA .

It already has been, and more are likely to follow. Mostly in trade.

 

[kalu_miah]

Why Mr. Pranab is coming to Bangladesh at the same time as Hilary? It shows that India's boss is US and Bangladesh is India's vassal state, so when the big boss is in town the middle manager must be there.

 

[cloud_9]

Why Mr. Pranab is coming to Bangladesh at the same time as Hilary? It shows that India's boss is US and Bangladesh is India's vassal state, so when the big boss is in town the middle manager must be there.

So according to your analysis your country is a sidekick to a sidekick country

Then let's hail THE BOSS!

 

[kalu_miah]

Pranab's India has no shame stooping so low in front of the US and Hasina's Bangladesh have no shame showing to the world who RAWamy League's real puppet master is.