Musharraf
Leaves A Sympathetic Bangladesh
 |
|
President
Musharraf inspecting guard of honor on arrival in Sri Lanka |
By
Md. Zeyaul Haque, Special to IslamOnline
NEW
DELHI, July 31 (IslamOnline) - Despite bitter memories of civil war
and partition still fresh in Pakistani and Bangladeshi minds, Pakistan
President, General Pervez Musharraf’s 3-day visit to Bangladesh has
turned out rather successful.
Musharraf’s
expression of regrets for the Pakistan army’s excesses in what was
East Pakistan (today’s Bangladesh) in 1971 was an attempt to put the
past behind. Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia thanked him
for his "candid expression on the events," saying "this
will, no doubt, help mitigate the old wounds."
On
a deeper level, Bangladesh’s position on Kashmir has veered closer
to Pakistan’s. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Morshed Khan said
Bangladesh supported “effective dialogue” between India and
Pakistan to solve the Kashmir problem. Incidentally, Pakistan too
wants an effective dialogue on the issue.
Khan
described the Pakistan-Bangladesh dialogue as "excellent,
fruitful and constructive." Musharraf’s penchant for straight
talk and emphasis on shared values brought a healing touch to the
relations of the two countries that were one before December 1971. He
talked about the common tragedy that caused pain on both sides.
The
Pakistan president said, referring to the division of their country,
that people of common religion, vision and culture were torn by events
of 1971.
The
two sides agreed to work more closely in the SAARC to promote regional
cooperation. The two countries also decided to work together to combat
terrorism, "an enemy of mankind." They also agreed that
terrorism had to be "stopped in all its forms and
manifestations."
Gen.
Musharraf, whom the U.S. State Department spokesman recently described
as “a very stalwart ally against terrorism,” concluded his talks
with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia with a special focus on fighting
terrorism.
Morshed
Khan declared Tuesday, July 30, that the two sides had decided to hold
regular meetings of the Joint Economic Commission.
The
two sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of science
and information technology. A focal area of agreement was trade,
including duty-free access of Bangladeshi jute, jute products and tea
to Pakistan.
The
visiting team categorically said that it would take up the case of
"Biharis" after the return of three million Afghan refugees
from Pakistan. The Biharis, numbering 250,000-400,000, are
Urdu-speaking people living in Bangladeshi camps. They have refused to
take Bangladesh citizenship, and see themselves as
"Pakistani" citizens.
The
two sides also signed two agreements on cultural exchanges between
2003 and 2007 and on regular consultations between the foreign
ministers of the two sides.
Gen.
Musharraf left for Sri Lanka Wednesday, July 31, morning.
|
