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Editorial

Thank you, no

In committing troops to any foreign war, we would be guided by our national interest
29 September 2010, 18:00 PM
EDITORIAL

Photo: AFP

In the face of the reported warning issued by the Taleban against Bangladesh not to send troops to Afghanistan at US request, we deem it necessary to boldly assert our position on the matter. As a sovereign independent country, Bangladesh will only adopt a policy based entirely on its own national interest. Threat or warning notwithstanding, we will pursue our national interest as we think fit. In this context, we strongly decry the Taleban warning asking Bangladesh to refrain from getting involved in Afghan war. Having said that, we most respectfully but categorically say no, thank you to the US request for our troops in Afghanistan. Without harbouring an iota of sympathy for the type of the society the Taleban wishes to establish or the extremist interpretation of Islam they spearhead, we would like to recall that this paper has been thoroughly opposed to the US intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan and the policies being followed there. We are far from convinced that the war against terror as waged by the US had any justification whatsoever. America by such war has only alienated the Afghan people, while the Karzai government that is running the affairs there is a symbol of corruption. There is no evidence to suggest that the US-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and its policies have won the hearts and minds of the people in any way. On the contrary, it has created more problems than solved. Let us make it abundantly clear that Bangladesh troops in foreign missions are mainly involved in maintaining peace under UN mandate. Bangladesh troops have only operated under the UN flag in the context of UN negotiated peace. And even under UN flag we would apply our discretion, if the mission in any way smacks of aggressiveness. While we are extremely appreciative of the help and assistance of the US government in our economic development, and consider the US as a tested friend in many ways. However, in the same breath, we also urge our government categorically to desist from involving our troops in any way either directly or indirectly in the Afghan situation. Besides, we can only learn from the mistakes of Pakistan.

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