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USA’s Efforts For A New Election To Restore Democracy In Bangladesh

By M Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury

15 February 2014
Countercurrents.org

Bangladesh is going to face impact of globalisation, which has real ground for that as well. This is because of recent one sided non-participatory parliamentary election held by the ruling party. The country has to face the world pressure to dissolve unaccepted parliament and hold a fresh election in the present era of globalisation. In particular, South Asia has been the world’s attention, what was time and again disclosed by Obama administration, Chinese and Indian leaders. Consequently, one of the major countries of South Asia, Bangladesh has been struggling with democracy especially based on elections. Evidently, Bangladesh, as of South Asia, is in the centre point of this focus. It is obviously the country is heading towards unknown destination where government acts against the will of people as well as ignores United Nations and Western World. Bangladesh participates in UN peace keeping mission around the world whereas chaos and anarchy continues for a quite long time within the country. Eventually, the country cannot avoid effect of globalisation. Globalisation became a blessing for Bangladeshi people over the years, which is now a popular cause for western world as well. Moreover, recent political turmoil of Bangladesh has justified the external actor’s intervention. Conversely, globalisation does not always work in the interest of people in various countries. Sometimes, it comes as challenge too.

In South Asia, the different countries have different problems. Sri Lanka and Nepal inherits ethnicity crises while Pakistan and Afghanistan have sectarian issues. On the other hand, India and Myanmar have been facing communal riots since long. Most of the South Asian nations belong to different caste, creed, tribes etc. In fact, the problem of Bangladesh is of a different attribute. Over time, Bangladeshi society has been developing as violent. It becomes highly politicised as well as intolerant. Only politics divides the nation.

With this in mind, it can easily be argued that, people of Bangladesh are quite different from its other neighbouring nations. They are neither fundamentalists nor fanatic. Instead, this homogenous nation is liberal and moderate what Islam, indeed, itself is. Despite continuous efforts of secularisation by a section of political parties and a group of society, without mandate of the people, Islam yet retains a strong political position in Bangladesh. Still it maintains as strong social bondage. Without understanding the characteristics of Bangladeshi people, it is really difficult to carry forward politics for this emerging nation in both home and abroad. Similarly while pursuing any research works on Bangladesh politics it needs to understand its people's value and ethos.

It will be very pertinent to mention here that since two decades, Mittelman (1994:429) argues, political globalisation centres on ‘emerging worldwide preference for democracy’. Haynes (2005:11) echoed with him regarding this.

Regarding globalisation’s impact on Bangladesh, we can find rationality from Jagdish Bhagwati’s article titled “In Defence of Globalisation” (2010). Bhagwati (2010:526) argues in favour of his thoughts (here he mentioned lines) saying: “and so, while globalisation has a human face, can be made to glow yet better with appropriate governance along these lines. Globalisation works; but we can make it work better. That is the chief task before all of us today”.

Haynes noted, “more recently, some comparative analyses of democratisation outcomes were more interested in the impact of external actors in both country-specific and regional organisations, such as the EU, not only proclaimed a general and theoretical commitment to encourage democracy around the world but also, in some cases, were able to back up their rhetoric with hard cash” (Haynes: 12).

What Fareed Zakaria (2010:220) discusses about some Arab countries is now applicable to Bangladesh. According to Zakaria, “they would happily come to power through an election, but then would set up their own theocratic rule. It would be one man, one vote, one time”. It’s dissimilarity in Bangladesh was recently occurred by the ruling party with a staged drama type ‘election’ without allowing opposition to participate by annulling Caretaker Government, detaining opponent political leaders, manipulating various government institutions especially judiciary and election commission and managing partisan administration, which yielded same result. In the recent Bangladeshi parliamentary election, 153 MPs were elected without any vote, the way the ruling party’s position was secured. This was nothing but an election where ruling party would not be changed. Evidently, Caretaker Government (CTG) is justified for Bangladesh, which was established by present ruling party while they were in opposition to come to power. After coming back to power, this system became unnecessary thus obsolete to them. Hence, they annulled CTG system, what again shows similarity with Zakaria’s argument.

Recently, UN Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon and his emissaries have already started working with their mission to Bangladesh. Subsequently, USA has taken some efforts to democratisation in Bangladesh. Obviously, it works under UN’s initiative what is followed by other developed nations.

USA is one of the core components of United Nations (UN). Wherever, UN has taken action against any country USA played vital role. Like the world body, USA is pledge bound for democracy in home and abroad. Under the leadership of USA developed nations, in other words established democracies, are working together to hold an acceptable as well as credible election and democratise the existing faulty system of authoritarianism in Bangladesh.

Why USA to intervene in Bangladesh?

According to US State Department, Bangladesh is one of the major ‘Moderate Muslim Role Model Countries’. Recently United States of America takes interest on Bangladesh. Strategically, Bangladesh stands at a very important position. As a result, USA, China and India’s eyes are on Bangladesh. Before 1971 liberation war of Bangladesh, this nation has been under Indian hegemony both overtly and covertly. Most recently, based on a farcical parliamentary election in Bangladesh relations between USA and India turned into ‘not good’ (Prothom Alo 2014).

For instance, Bangladesh connects SAARC and ASEAN, bridging a divide between South Asia and South East Asia. Although Bangladesh is locked by India in its three sides, it has a window through Myanmar which reaches China through Kunming. Nonetheless, the country has a wider gateway (through waterway) at Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh established the SAARC to spread cooperation among South Asian nations, which inherits legacy of South Asia. Indeed, South Asia has a value. SAARC starts from Afghanistan to Sri Lanka. Arch rivals India and Pakistan have been escalating tensions through this regional organisation. Although SAARC represents one-fifth of world population, success of this regional body is little. Furthermore, the international world is keen to see progress of SAARC.

Concurrently, founder of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) former President of Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman has established absolute trust and faith in Allah and inserted ‘Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim’ (Starting any deed in the name of Allah) in the beginning of constitution. Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad has declared ‘Islam’ state religion. BNP led by its Chairperson Begun Khaleda Zia, wife of late President Zia, and her alliance continued following the above ideology. For obvious reason, secular political party Awami League (AL) declares before all elections from 1970 to 1973 led by the founding President of the country Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, during Pakistan period that, no law will be framed against Quran and Sunnah. The AL, led by Sheikh Hasina, daughter of late President Sheikh Mujib, pursued same policy with respect to its election pledge. On the eve of 2007 planned parliamentary elections AL signed 5 points treaty with Khelafat Majlish to implement Islamic laws and to annul anti Islamic laws. Islam is considered as values, culture, identity and ethos in Bangladesh. This country is also champion of Asian values. Pakistan and Bangladesh became independent from British India based on Islam, which is way of life in this land. Pakistan remained Islamic Republic and Bangladesh inherits Islam as identity and deviated to People’s Republic. Present Bangladesh was pioneer in establishing Pakistan in 1947. The Pakistan proposal (then it was called ‘Lahore Proposal) was thrown by a Bangladeshi legendary leader A K Fazlul Huq (who was awarded title- ‘Sher-e-Bangla’, which means Tiger of Bengal for his brave role). Thus, Bangladesh bears three legacies. They are ‘British legacy’, ‘Pakistani legacy’ and a legacy of ‘War of Secession’.

As I mentioned earlier about recent parliamentary election of Bangladesh, which held on last 5 January 2014, the whole world is well aware that this was a flawed election. However, why USA is interested to restore democracy in Bangladesh through a new election? On this much discussed issue, Sean M. Lynn-Jones noted: “After the cold war ended, promoting the international spread of democracy seemed poised to replace containment as the guiding principle of U.S. foreign policy. Scholars, policymakers, and commentators embraced the idea that democratisation could become America’s next mission” (Lynn-Jones 1998).

According to the UN charter, “we the people’s, reflect the fundamental principle of democracy that the will of the people is the source of legitimacy of sovereign states and therefore of the United Nations as a whole” (Democracy and United Nations). It may be mentioned that the World body (UN) plays role in fostering democracy through elections in respective countries. Under Secretary General for Political Affairs is designated by the General Assembly as the UN Focal Point for Electoral Assistance Activities. It has been seen in USA point of view that, “the international spread of democracy will offer many benefits to new democracies and to the United States” (Lynn-Jones 1998). Previously USA played role in African, Latin American and some European countries where the UN imposed sanctions, used UN troops or UN Peace Keeping Forces to solve political problems of many countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sudan, Bosnia, Rwanda, Cambodia, Namibia, Haiti, Mozambique, Nicaragua, the former Yugoslavia, Syria and Sierra Leon. Against the backdrop of the prevailing volatile political situation in World focus South Asia‘s centre point Bangladesh opens gateway to end authoritarianism and foster democracy by Western World.

US Senate asked Bangladesh to hold a fresh election soon in its third hearing on last 11 February. Nisha Desai Biswal, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W. Mozena commented: relations between Bangladesh and America are not normal. Besides, USA is sending a team to assert on this issue. Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, China, Germany, UK are, among others, pursuing on this issue very seriously in line with America’s mission. Bangladesh faces problem with USA on GSP issue. USA most recently stopped training facilities for Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) due to gross violation of human rights has been committing by this force. In the context of globalisation, World Bank closed one of the biggest projects in Bangladesh namely Padma Bridge for reported corruption, where Canada police intercepted it and conducting the investigation. WB was followed by International Monetary Fund (IIMF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Japan.

Following the hearing of the US Senate Committee, as Nisha Desai briefed the media:

“On January 5, the government held a deeply flawed election in which one of the two major political parties did not participate. As a result, over half of the 300 members of parliament were elected unopposed, and most of the rest faced only token opposition. The election did not credibly express the will of the Bangladeshi people. This could have serious ramifications for stability in Bangladesh and the region”.

The US spokesman further added:

“Immediately after the election, we issued a strong statement noting that the election was not a credible reflection of the will of the people and called for immediate dialogue to agree on new elections as soon as possible.”

US Senate passed another resolution on Bangladesh 11 December, 2013. US Ambassador recently reported to his government while he was in his country on both leave and official tour and he has been engaged to go ahead with US’s mission of democratisation in Bangladesh.

During the week of December 8, 2013, United Nations Assistant Secretary General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco visited Bangladesh to foster political dialogue between Bangladeshi political parties and leaders in order to bring a halt to violence and allow for a credible peaceful election.

Similarly, UK House of Commons has also arranged three hearing on Bangladesh issue. Canada and Australia are also following the same. Commonwealth issued official letter to Bangladesh government regarding this. EU’s position has not been changed like USA. These are all the result of globalising world.

Flashback: The role of UN and USA in 2007

USA helped in continuing democratic practice during our governance. Lieutenant General Moeen U Ahmed wanted to declare martial law by 12 January 2007. I sought help from both UN and USA to stop that military intervention. US Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis extended whole hearted cooperation in this regard. We used to meet regularly those days, sometimes at my office at “Bangabhaban” and sometimes at her official residence at Gulshan’s “Habib Villa” in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Butenis was saying me one day: “although you are doing many good deeds for the sake of democracy, however, you need to do something visible”. Evidently, when she saw that I have compromised a lot for continuity of democracy, she connected me to US State Department. One fine morning, Under Secretary of State of USA Nicholas Burns called me. US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs in the Department of State Richard A. Boucher spoke with me to my mobile phone and also spoke with President Professor Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed to the same cell phone through me. My relations with the UN Secretary General Kofi A. Annan also worked. He sent a small but important delegation led by his special envoy Craig Gennes. On the other hand, following our parley Richard Boucher visited Bangladesh with a US delegation. Similarly, we had contact with Secretary of State of USA Condoleezza Rice as well. The role of some diplomats’ was mysterious and some other played dubious role whereas most of them were managed by Butenis. There was a diplomatic club called ‘Tuesday Group’. UN Resident Representative Reanata Lok Dessallien’s role was controversial. Lt. General Moeen availed this advantage. Although Renata made her position clear when she completed her assignment to Bangladesh as UN Resident Coordinator that she did not support Moeen (Ittefaq 2011; Daily Star 2011), but by the time situation would be compared as ‘the patient had died before the doctor came’. Canadian High Commissioner Barbara Richardson’s attitude was not right. Australian High Commissioner Douglas Fosket told me once that “we used to discuss about you as you are the main contact point of the government. We do appreciate your role for your country. On our behalf Butenis maintains contact with you”.

There was a negative perception about the then British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury, who used to speak much. Butenis told me, “Don’t worry. I will manage him”. I convinced UN and US led different countries diplomats thus international world that martial law is going to be declared soon. At one stage, India had to tell Moeen that if America does not support, it will be difficult for India to help any army rule in the unipolar world with globalisation context.

On 7 January 2007, I sent a copy to top politicians what I received from Counter Intelligence of Directorate General of Forces Intelligent (DGFI), which echoed my prediction and analysis that by 12 January there will be a martial law in Bangladesh. Concerned politicians did not believe it (Daily Sun 2013). However, UN and USA categorically informed Bangladesh military leaders about their three points’ formulae in regard to any probable military coup. They were: 1. martial law will not be accepted, 2. if martial law is declared in Bangladesh, all Bangladeshi peace keepers in UN will be back and 3. there will be sanctions imposed on the country if this is the situation. Then army chief went back to his original option of State of Emergency (henceforth emergency), which was already supported by both parties’ top leaders, knowingly or unknowingly, which can be termed as ‘marriage of convenience’. One party supported emergency by understanding and other one without understanding. I stopped it since 29 October 2006, the following day of much talked ‘Logi-Boitha’ event (Thikana 2008; Bangla Times 2010).

When Military leaders declared a State of Emergency, I contacted with US government. Butenis informed me that martial law was stopped. But, it is not possible to stop State of Emergency as Bangladesh constitution allows President to declare it. I said President is under gun point and then I was replied if this is the case, we should be told by the President officially. Following declaration of emergency, Moeen sent a designated army officer of DGFI to US State Department seeking US support for short period of martial law if necessary for three months and if not possible for even only one day in order to make army chief Moeen President and promised, after that everything will be as usual. He would not mind if one becomes Prime Minister and other one Leader of the Opposition. US administration outright rejected the proposal saying what Presidential Adviser Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury predicted earlier on this, now it has been proved. USA did not only turn down the proposal of martial law, but also asked to hand over power to politicians after holding parliamentary elections as soon as possible (Budhbar 2009; ManabZamin 2009; Amader Shomoy 2009). Finally, Bangladesh could escape probable pro-longed third military regime through effect of globalisation.

Now in changed scenario, according to UN Charter, the world body asks Bangladesh government to hold a fresh election by dissolving the present unaccepted one, if this formula does not work then UN will organise a fresh election under its supervision comprising election experts from its different member countries and if this also does not accepted by the government, in that case UN will use its troops of UN Peace Keeping Mission and drive a cleansing programme in political field and hold elections (Chowdhury 2013; Chowdhury 2014). If the mission exercises until to the last, it will cost a lot for the country like Bangladesh and if discord continues eventually there may be a reform programme for the Bangladeshi organisations and institutions, which will not be good for politicians and political parties. Obviously government should take responsibility and protect the country by arranging a new parliamentary election and also by arranging programmes of good governance.

This is the era of globalisation and we can come to a conclusion “that a key effect of globalisation is to increase the porousness of state boarders and to enhance the significance of external actors for many domestic outcomes” (Hay 2005:3). As a result, Bangladesh cannot avoid world’s pressure to dissolve unaccepted parliament and will have to organise a new parliamentary election, which is obviously a manifestation in favour of mass people of Bangladesh. The sooner the government of Bangladesh understands this reality, the better for the country and its people.

M Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury is a London-based Researcher as well as Independent Analyst in Politics and International Relations. A Career Journalist Mukhles Chowdhury is a Former Minister and Adviser to the President of Bangladesh. Former President of Overseas Correspondents’ Association Bangladesh (OCAB) Mukhles Chowdhury has been working as the Chief Editor of the Bangladesh Worldwide and the Weekly Prekshit as well. Email: [email protected]

References

Amader Shomoy, 2009. Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bangla Times, 2010. London, UK
Bhagwati, J. 2010, In Defence of Globalisation, Essential Readings in Comparative Politics, W.W. North & Company New York. London
Budhbar, 2009. Dhaka, Bangladesh
Daily Star, 2011. Dhaka, Bangladesh
Daily Sun, 2013. Dhaka, Bangladesh
Haynes, J. 2005, Comparative Politics in a Globalising World, Page 3, Polity Press, Cambridge, UK
Haynes, J. 2005, Comparative Politics in a Globalising World, Page 11-12, Polity Press, Cambridge, UK
Lynn-Jones, S. 1998, “Why the United States Should Spread Democracy” Discussion Paper 98-07, Centre for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University.
ManabZamin, 2009. Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mittelman (1994:429), Comparative Politics in a Globalising World, Page 11, Polity Press, Cambridge, UK
Prothom Alo, 2014. Dhaka, Bangladesh
Thikana, 2008. New York, USA
Zakaria, F. 2010, Islam, Democracy, and Constitutional Liberalism, Essential Readings in Comparative Politics, W.W. North & Company New York. London

 

 

 

 



 

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