US Ambassador Peter Haas has laid out Washington’s vision for US-Bangladesh relations in five general goals, including equipping the armed forces at a speech at the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Dhaka.
He recognized the role of Bangladesh's armed forces in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations around the world, and said: “International reputation you have developed as the largest contributor of personnel to supporting peace is impressive.”
The ambassador addressed a group of officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College on July 30. The embassy posted his speech on its website on Wednesday.
He gave the officers a sense of Washington’s vision for US-Bangladesh relations, and how they see them benefitting not just the two peoples, but the Indo-Pacific region more broadly.
First goal:
“Our first goal is to support a peaceful and stable Bangladesh,” US Ambassador Peter Haas said.
“We are committed to working together to ensure that the Indo-Pacific region remains free, open, peaceful, and secure. Under these conditions, the people of our two countries, and the rest of the region, can pursue their individual and collective aspirations.
“To this end, the US military regularly works with the Bangladesh military to strengthen defence readiness and to reinforce the partnership between our military forces at every level.
“Operationally, the United States has provided Bangladesh with numerous new military capabilities to support the Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Operations units. We help build Bangladesh’s capabilities primarily through grant programs such as Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, and the Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative. The key point is these are grants and not loans.”
He added: “To name a few capabilities, we have provided Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicles and bomb robots that help protect Bangladesh’s peacekeepers, additional capabilities include frigates like the Somudra Joy and Somudra Avijan, and four C-130B aircraft.
“Under US government-provided grant programs, the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard have received three different types of patrol boats to help them protect the territorial waters of Bangladesh. This past year we also delivered small Unmanned Aerial Systems to the SWADS and Para Commandos. The US has also provided these special operations units with modern weapons, ammunition, body armor, advanced radio systems, and first aid equipment.
“Over the next year, we expect to deliver the highly capable Blackjack UAS, 35-foot SAFE Patrol Boats, and additional Zodiac Rigid Hull Boats. These systems will help Bangladesh conduct UN missions and defend its sovereignty,” he said.
The ambassador added: “The United States is ready to provide Bangladesh with more advanced capabilities through Foreign Military Sales when the time is right. A mutually concluded General Security of Military Information Agreement – known as a GSOMIA – is foundational to making that happen.
“Along with these deliveries, and at the tactical level, U.S. special operations units continue to provide training to the SWADS and Para Commandos through the Tiger Shark series of joint exercises. Our armies exercise together through Tiger Lightning, our air forces through Cope South, and our navies through the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training CARAT exercise,” he said.
“We are also encouraged that Bangladesh’s Indo-Pacific Outlook declares Bangladesh’s vision for a “free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific for the shared prosperity for all.”
“There is much in the Outlook that overlaps with our own vision for the Indo-Pacific, particularly the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and overflight; promoting an open, transparent, rules-based multilateral system rooted in the principals of the UN charter; and significant discussion of environmental resilience,” he said.
Second goal:
US Ambassador Peter Haas said the second goal is building a Bangladesh that is committed to democracy, transparency, pluralism, tolerance, good governance, and respect for human rights.
“Simply put, democracies do a better job of protecting human rights and generating and sustaining prosperity than other governance regimes. This goal is particularly relevant as we look toward the upcoming national elections.
He added: “I want to make one thing very clear: the United States does not favor any particular political party. The United States supports free and fair elections conducted in accordance with international standards. Ensuring free and fair elections is everyone’s responsibility.
“From the Election Commission to the government, from the media to law enforcement agencies, from civil society to political parties, everyone has an important role to play.
“If any one of them fails to fulfill their responsibility or if any one of them prevents another from fulfilling their responsibility, free and fair elections become impossible. Incidents of harassment and intimidation of civil society and the media, as well as violent clashes at political rallies and demonstrations here in Bangladesh, remind us of this fact.
“It is important for everyone to respect the rule of law and to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation,” he said.
“As many of you may know, we announced a new visa policy in May to support Bangladesh’s stated goal of free and fair elections. This visa restriction policy would affect any individuals that attempt to impede a free and fair election. People of Bangladesh and throughout the world work hard to realize the dream of a better life for themselves and their families. Free and fair elections provide citizens the freedom to shape their own destinies,” he said.
Third goal:
“Our third goal is to support Bangladesh in its endeavor to be a socially and environmentally resilient country,” he said, as addressing climate change is a core priority for the Biden administration.
“While breathtaking in its beauty, Bangladesh’s geography on a low-lying river delta and with a long coastline and large floodplains makes it vulnerable to the effects of climate change and natural disasters. The United States applauds Bangladesh’s leadership in addressing climate change and we continue to partner with Bangladesh to meet the challenge.
Fourth goal:
Haas added US’s fourth goal is sustainable and broadly shared prosperity and improved labour standards in Bangladesh.
“Our fourth goal is for a sustainable and broadly shared prosperity, and improved labour standards that expand and diversify Bangladesh’s economy and open it to greater regional and global trade and connectivity,” he said.
Fifth goal:
“Our fifth goal is for Bangladesh to meet international standards for humanitarian protection of the Rohingya refugees and continue to host them until a safe, voluntary, and dignified return to Burma is possible.”
The ambassador also appreciated Bangladesh’s “incredible generosity and compassion” in welcoming Rohingya refugees into the country and giving them shelter.
“We hope that Rohingya will soon be able to return to their native land in a safe and dignified manner. Unfortunately, conditions in Burma do not yet allow for a safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return.”
Rohingya resettlement
The ambassador also highlighted the Rohingya refugee issue during his speech.
He said that the US is coordinating with the Bangladesh government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to establish a “resettlement program” that will enable the most vulnerable Rohingya refugees to relocate to the United States.
“Other countries are working with us to establish similar programs,” he said, adding that this reflects the United States' “longstanding leadership on refugee resettlement in the face of an unprecedented displacement crisis.”
