The best of US-Bangladesh ties yet to happen: Frank Wisner

A former US ambassador Frank Wisner has said that the best of the US-Bangladesh ties is “yet to happen” as he profusely praised Dhaka’s progress since independence.

Wisner, currently an international affairs adviser at the US-based global law firm Squire Patton Boggs, served in the US embassy in Dhaka in 1973 in the economic desk. He retired in 1997 after serving in Zambia, Egypt, the Philippines and India as ambassador.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh of AmCham invited him to speak at ‘August luncheon meeting’ on Thursday. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was also present at the meeting chaired by its President Nurul Islam.

Wisner recalled his days in Bangladesh and compared that with the present Bangladesh. He also spoke on the global and regional politics.

He said when he was posted here in Dhaka, the relationship was “very narrowly based”, referring to the US’s position against Bangladesh in the 1971 war of independence.

“Today, it’s a broad-based relationship. And it provides ample scope for addressing and tackling problems like exports, terror threats,” he said, “Future, I recognise the best is yet to happen”.

He said when he came to Bangladesh after the 1971 war of independence, it was “profoundly disturbing and challenging”. “Scourge of war and years of neglect from Pakistan rule was evident”.

“There was an existential crisis in people,” he said. “I stand today absolutely delighted to see how far you had come,” he said, “So, well done”.

He, however, listed some challenges for Bangladesh including the threat of terror, emergence of religious extremism and intolerance, and to make the economy competitive to face the fast changing world.

He said he was also devastated by the looting of the Bangladesh central bank.

Countering violent extremism is a standard work to do between the countries.

But he said it was also important that human rights were protected for “your reputation, for ours”.

“We need to work hard so that we keep each other informed, share each other’s best practices.”

On the region, he said Washington’s policies towards the South Asia region would be “heavily” influenced by the decision they would make on two American priorities -- war against terror and Afghanistan.

On China, he said their relationship with the rising power of China remains the “most important” challenge for American foreign relations.

“We seek no confrontation…a balance in the security arrangement in the region…cooperation with China that is achievable.

“We also recognise the strategic autonomy of every country in the littoral,” he said.