Editorial
EU absence from Savar
We expect greater sensitivity on these historic occasions
EU countries have been tested and trusted friends of Bangladesh, and we have been greatly appreciative of all their efforts. It is perhaps for this very reason that we were shocked when EU as a body decided to stay away from the Victory Day programme at the Savar Memorial. We expect our close friends to share our sense of pride with us at the millions of lives laid down in our struggle for Independence. This is exactly where we find the EU decision was so very disappointing.
The excuse given, that they had an urgent report to write for Brussels, is something, we believe, our efficient EU diplomats could have easily worked around. Our Victory Day observance and the Wreath laying ceremony at Savar Memorial is a fixed calendar event and therefore attendance in it should not have been subjected to last minute collective cancellation. However, we note with satisfaction that they attended the President's reception in the evening.
It is said that diplomacy is as much about clear cut positioning as it is about symbols and nuanced messages. The symbolic value of Victory Day to our people seems to have been totally lost on our EU friends. The nuanced message that their collective absence may send to those who do not share our sense of pride of this day -- like those who opposed our Liberation War -- did not seem to have been seriously considered. Yes, even last year many EU ambassadors absented themselves on security grounds but it was not a collective decision, which makes yesterday's absence unprecedented and hence unwarranted and unfortunate.
Given our long standing friendship with the EU, we would hope that greater sensitivity is shown in the future in participating in our National events, especially those with immense historical and emotional significance.
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