Where is Uncle Sam?
As an expatriate covering the region since the 1960s, I am intrigued at the silence maintained by the US government or its messenger Mr. Dan Mozena at the recent developments in Bangladesh. For someone who travels great distances to give speeches about every incident in this country, whether it is his business or not, Ambassador Mozena's lack of public appearances or a statement is way out of his trait. Is he waiting for the next embassy vehicle to be vandalised that will be promptly apologised by the dreaded picketers and its bosses anyway? A close look at Bangladesh's history will, of course, suggest how the US administration had sided with Pakistan in 1971 that effectively endorsed the atrocities by the Pakistan army and its collaborators, better known as Razakars. It should not therefore surprise anyone if the US government decides to back these people once again even if it is to save its own face. I am, however, at great pains to remind the Jamaat-e-Islami and its partners about the fates of Saddam Hussein and Shah Pahlavi of Pakistan who were once great allies of the US and how the latter had turned on them when its needs were fulfilled.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments