Positive remarks
Shibly Azad, Columbia University
For their positive remarks (Nov. 16 and 22) about Bangladeshi people, I thank both Dr. Richard Benkin and Mrs. Roxane Rosemarie respectively. Dr. Benkin especially deserves our deep appreciation, as in his pragmatic, rational, and provocative yet humane article, he contends that despite its low profile in international politics, because of her inherent dynamics, by assuming to become an interlocutor, to solve the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict, Bangladesh can contribute positively. This gesture towards Bangladesh, for an American, is a rarity as much as Mrs. Rosemarie's comments about Israeli responsibility to consolidate the peace process evince her recognition of political reality.I believe that should Bangladeshi foreign policy makers heed to the weight of Dr. Benkin's logic and with serious intent, contemplate as to how Dhaka can play its role in solving the crisis by initiating say, an informal dialogue among OIC member countries, for the benefit of the innocent people of Palestine and Israel in particular, and humanity in general, it would be a great service. And this tradition of preference for mediation, as Dr. Benkin points out, is the core value of Bangladeshi foreign policy, as evident in Dhaka's meditative roles in resolving Iran-Iraq War and to defuse regional tension, in proposing the formation of SAARC. In this respect, as a first step, to deal with the Arab-Israeli conflict, to form a consultative forum within the OIC framework, Bangladesh can initiate a dialogue with OIC member nations such as Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, who already maintain diplomatic relation with Israel, and to make the forum effective, eventually, can bring in other member countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and others, as directly they are not part of the conflict; therefore, would not mind in getting involved in the process. In this process, to maintain communication with Tel Aviv, OIC member countries that already maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, can work as a feedback channel; on the other, rest of the forum members can serve as envoy to the Middle Eastern nations in which Dhaka would play the role of co-ordinator in the process, moderator in negotiation, and venue for consultation. To solve the decade long ethnic conflict, should Bangladesh takes the initiative to break the inertia of non-communication and contribute to create an atmosphere for thaw, to the service of humanity, it would become a milestone of which one day, as a nation, would become proud of, and given that for half a century, the extent of senseless sufferings through which these two ethnic people have lived by, I am sure, the majority of Bangladeshis believe that they deserve an everlasting peace and that with great joy and pride, Bangladeshis would like to contribute to the peace process.
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