Foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni has described BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman, now in London, as a non-political person and fugitive, saying that the government has informed the UK government and the Interpol about the arrest warrant issued against him.
Without mentioning Tarique’s name, she also told a press conference on Tuesday at the foreign ministry that the BNP leader had gone abroad by giving up his political post and signing an undertaking that he would not participate in politics anymore.
Asked about the foreign ministry’s efforts to bring back Tarique, the foreign minister said, “Is he still occupying the political post you just mentioned? I have seen in the undertaking that he had left the country after relinquishing the post and responsibility.” The minister also added: “He signed an undertaking that he would not take part in politics. In that sense, he is not a political person.”
Dipu Moni went on to say, “An arrest warrant has been issued against him quite some time ago, in connection with the case that is under trial. But, he did not come, appear or surrender. Therefore, he is a fugitive….To bring him back, the UK government and the Interpol have been informed about the arrest warrant.”
The press conference was held at the ministry to apprise journalists of the foreign minister’s recent visit to Belgium and Singapore. In Brussels, she talked with the European Union leadership about the issues relating to garments industry. In Singapore, alongside attending the Asian Security Summit, she hold a meeting with EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton on the sideline.
Replying to a question, Dipu Moni expressed hope that the US decision with regard to the GSP benefits for Bangladeshi products would be positive. “Based on the positive response we received from the US officials during our interactions with them, we hope that the decision would be positive for Bangladesh,” she said.
Regarding the GSP facilities for the EU market, Dipu Moni said that the EU had expressed satisfaction over the steps taken by the government to address the issues relating to labour rights and workplace safety.
“They appreciated the measures the government is taking along with all the stakeholders. They assured me that they would be with us to make it a labour-friendly industry,” she added.
Replying to a question on the US’ Country Reports on Terrorism 2012, the foreign minister rejected outright the notion that Bangladesh’s domestic and foreign policies are influenced by regional powers, especially India.
In the report released on Thursday, it was stated that ‘Bangladesh’s foreign and domestic policies are heavily influenced by the region’s major powers, particularly India’.
“The US prepares reports on different issues from their own perspectives through their own mechanism. It is their affairs. Sometimes, they admire us profusely, sometimes not,” she said.
“Despite the negative campaign by different quarters, the Dhaka- Washington relationship has been very good and effective in recent times. The ties are wider and deeper now. We try to scrutinise criticisms from our friendly countries,” the foreign minister added.
“I want to state clearly that the foreign policy of Bangladesh is entirely Bangladesh’s own, centring the interest of the country and people. So, no question arises about the foreign policy being influenced by anybody,” she said.
Responding to a query, Dipu Moni said that the government has no plan to lodge any protest against the report. “I cannot remember that we have protested in the past regarding any such reports,” she added.
To a question regarding the feasibility study by an Indian company to set up an inland container port in Narayanganj, the minister said, “We feel that it (the explanation by the Indian high commissioner) is okay,”
About the shipment of rice to Tripura through Bangladesh, she said, “We have received a request from the Indian government to allow this shipment on humanitarian grounds. We have responded positively on certain conditions. We will let them know what the conditions will be.”
In reply to a question on Bangladesh’s gains from India in return for different positive gestures by Dhaka during the tenure of the government, the foreign minister said, “The relationship between the two countries is very extensive. So, it cannot be calculated like an equation that if we give A, they will give us B. The issue must be seen in a broader context.”
She, however, mentioned about some gains from India like trade expansion, USD 1 billion line of credit and data sharing of river flow for flood forecasting.
The foreign minister admitted that things would have been much better if the Teesta water sharing agreement could have been signed as well as the ratification of Land Boundary Agreement. “I hope these two will be done,” she said.
The foreign minister expressed hope that the amendment to the Labour Law would be placed and passed in Parliament’s current session. “After the passage of the amendment to the labour law, we hope we will able to introduce Better Work Programme in Bangladesh,” she said.
-With The Independent input
