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Bangladesh Condemns Pakistani Diplomat Amid Protests
by Golam Tahaboor
DHAKA (AFP) - Bangladesh on Tuesday condemned the "derogatory" remarks of a Pakistani senior diplomat about atrocities committed during the country's 1971 independence war as angry activists torched a Pakistani flag.
"I am angry, I express my anger and condemnation at the audacious and derogatory remarks" made by the diplomat, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad said.
"His remarks are uncalled for on our soil," he said, adding that they were also "provocative."
Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner Irfan-ur-Raja reportedly said at a seminar Monday that atrocities committed during Bangladesh's 1971 independence war were sparked by "Awami League miscreants," the current ruling party, and not by the Pakistani army.
Raja went on to question the demand, made also by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, that Pakistan apologize to Bangladesh for crimes against humanity.
"I hope the Pakistani government will take immediate action to arrest the irreparable damage done to bilateral relations," Azad, visibly upset, told reporters.
Azad said the comments were unfortunate given that they came when the prime minister was endeavoring to bring about peace and stability in South Asia.
The minister said the Pakistani High Commissioner Iqbal Ahmed Khan had been summoned Tuesday to the foreign ministry and a formal letter of protest handed to him.
Azad said the Pakistani high commissioner was told his deputy's comments "reflected a total lack of understanding of the history of the freedom movement of Bangladesh."
Asked what steps would be taken against the diplomat, a senior foreign ministry official said further action was being considered.
Meanwhile, members of the left wing Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal torched a Pakistani flag in front of the National Press Club, shouting anti-Pakistan slogans, witnesses said.
Raja's comments led to calls that he be declared "persona non grata."
Amid continuing public and media protests, several Bangladeshi educationists, quoted by the official BSS news agency, demanded Tuesday the diplomat's immediate expulsion and said the government should even consider ending diplomatic relations with Islamabad.
"Bangladesh should re-think about maintaining diplomatic ties with Pakistan as it is always involved in anti-Bangladesh activities," BSS quoted Dhaka University professor Arefin Siddique as saying.
A Pakistani diplomat told AFP earlier Tuesday that Raja was a seasoned diplomat with Dhaka his sixth overseas posting.
Former Bangladesh foreign secretary Abul Ahsan said Raja "in fact challenged the tested and established history."
Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, won independence after a bitter and bloody nine-month war led by the Awami League and headed by the country's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of the current prime minister.
Dhaka-Islamabad ties have been strained since Sheikh Hasina spoke against military dictatorships at the United Nations this year and later went on to demand Pakistan's apology for the 1971 crimes.
A meeting between her and Pakistani military ruler Parvez Musharraf on the sidelines of the September U.N. summit was cancelled by Islamabad, a move seen here as a response to the premier's comments.
Pakistan later urged Bangladesh to put the "tragic past" aside and forge ahead with stronger relations.
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