Bangladesh's Islamic heritage, tolerance lauded

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA, MARCH 20. The U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton, has lauded Bangladesh for its Islamic heritage, unique culture, commitment to tolerance and democracy and active participation in the world community. He praised Bangladesh's role as a peacekeeper and its courageous example in sending peacekeepers to end conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo.

The U.S. leader also appreciated the country as the first nation in South Asia to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). ``Today is only the beginning of a stronger partnership,'' Mr. Clinton said in a press statement announcing a $ 97 million food aid to Bangladesh. He announced an aid of another $50 million for Bangladesh and other South Asian countries in harnessing clean energy resources, reducing air pollution and fighting climate change.

Three agreements were signed after the business conference was over. A protocol was signed with World Tel for installation of three lakh telephone lines in Dhaka involving an estimated cost of $300 million. Another MOU was signed to design, manufacture and instal an undersea fibre optic cable system which will connect Bangladesh and Singapore, giving Bangladesh worldwide connectivity.

The U.S. President, at another function, said his day-long visit to Bangladesh has convinced him that poverty should not be anybody's destiny. ``Bangladesh, in traditional economic consideration, is still poor but after what I saw today... in spirit, this country is full of riches,'' he told a gathering of several hundred beneficiaries of the government-run Ashrayan Project and Grameeen Bank at a function arranged at the U.S. Embassy here.

Mr. Clinton, who joined the hurriedly-arranged programme after the abrupt cancellation of his scheduled trip to Joypura village in Savar due to security reasons, said in view of the success of the micro-credit programmes and development initiatives he would like to tell his country that Bangladesh was a unique land for investment.''

`Deport Mujib killers'

Ms. Hasina has requested Mr. Clinton to speed up the deportation of the killers of the country's founding father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujabur Rahman, most of whom are now reportedly living in the U.S. Mr. Clinton, however, did not respond to the request directly.

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