UNB, Dhaka
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday said her government would keep the Armed Forces above all controversies and build up them as a patriotic, brave, efficient and invincible force.
Referring to her party’s election manifesto she said a National Defence Policy will be formulated to ensure security of the people and the country.
The premier explained her newly elected government’s plans for building a new-look defence force and policy while addressing the certificate-awarding ceremony for 2008-09 sessions of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) at Mirpur cantonment.
Ministers, Advisers to the Prime Minister, Chiefs of three services, diplomats, and high civil and military officials were present.
On her arrival in the morning at the college ground, DSCSC Commandant Maj. Gen. Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan received her.
Sheikh Hasina noted that the Armed Forces are the symbol of country’s independence and sovereignty, and a rethinking about upgrading their capabilities suiting newer security paradigms is an imperative.
“In the backdrop of the changed security scenario in the present-day world, the roles of the armed forces have become multidimensional. In my view, this should be reflected
realistically in the education and training programmes of the armed forces,” she told the function.
She said the principle of competence, merit, fitness and seniority will be strictly followed for recruitment, appointment and promotion. Autonomy as consistent with the Constitution will be granted in the matters of internal discipline, administration and management. Welfare-oriented projects will be undertaken for the members of the defence forces.
Government’s intention is to build up strong, efficient, and modern armed forces within the available resources. “We need to emphasize advanced training and exercises to attain the goal,” the PM said.
She observed that Bangladesh believes in the peaceful resolution of all bilateral, regional and international disputes in all corners of the globe.
“The basic principle of Bangladesh’s foreign policy is ‘friendship with all and malice to none’. We are committed to the establishment of international peace and security. Our standpoint against all kinds of terrorism is very clear. Armed forces must move forward imbued with that ideal,” she told her military audience.
Praising the quality and effectiveness of the Defence Service Staff College, she said with the passage of time this institution has been acclaimed in the international arena as a unique military educational institution.
She hoped that the knowledge the officers gathered through the training would be helpful in discharging their professional responsibilities and in facing any challenge in future.
To the officers of the foreign countries, the PM said through the foreign military officers’ participation in the Staff-College training courses friendly relations between Bangladesh and the foreign countries would be deepened.
“I firmly believe that your positive impressions have been imprinted in your minds about the people and culture of this land while studying here. I hope that, as goodwill ambassadors, you will convey the good wishes of our simple and hospitable people to your government, armed forces and your countrymen,” she said.
A total of 170 officers, including 90 from Bangladesh Army, 16 from Bangladesh Navy and 28 from Bangladesh Air Force, and 36 overseas officers from Brunei, China, India, Jordan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Turkey and the USA attended the graduation course.
Earlier, the Prime Minister distributed certificates to the officers of the armed forces.
Courtesy of www.nation.ittefaq.com
