On
Bangladesh
Violence, US
Speaks, UN
Merely
Answers, Uses
Nation's
Soldiers
By
Matthew
Russell Lee
UNITED
NATIONS,
February 5 --
Amid the
violence in
Bangladesh,
the US State
Department
after 6 pm on
February 5
issued this
statement
(earlier Inner
City Press
asked the UN,
video
here). The
US:
“The
United States
is gravely
concerned by
the ongoing
unrest and
violence in
Bangladesh. We
deplore the
unconscionable
attacks
including bus
burnings,
throwing
incendiary
devices, and
train
derailments
that have
killed and
wounded
innocent
victims. We
condemn in the
strongest
terms the use
of violence
for political
objectives.
There is
simply no
justification
for such
actions in a
democratic
Bangladesh.
All
Bangladeshis
must have the
right and the
ability to
express their
views
peacefully. We
call on the
government to
provide the
necessary
space for
peaceful
political
activity, and
for all
parties to
instruct their
members to
refrain from
violence.”
When Inner
City Press asked the UN, which uses
Bangladesh
soldiers as
peacekeepers,
this ensued:
Inner
City Press: In
Bangladesh,
the… things
seem to be
getting
worse.
Former Prime
Minister has
been charged
with arson
and… which she
says she
doesn't
do. The
power's been
turned off to
the opposition
party and
basically the
authorities
are using
violence on
protestors.
So, I'm
wondering,
what's the
response of
the
Secretary-General?
Is there any
[Department of
Political
Affairs] or
other UN
involvement in
trying to
mediate
it? And
with senior
military
officials
making
statements
about what
they'll do to
civilians,
what's the
impact on
Bangladesh as
a peacekeeping
contributing
country?
Deputy
Spokesman
Farhan
Haq:
Well, the
political
process is
separate and
apart from the
issue of
peacekeepers
in UN
missions, who
are under the
control
ultimately of
the
mission.
Regarding the
situation in
Bangladesh,
we've made our
concerns
known.
As you know,
officials,
including the
senior
officials from
our Department
for Political
Affairs, have
repeatedly
visited
Bangladesh,
trying to meet
with the
leaders there
and make sure
that the
crisis can be
resolved
peacefully.
As you know,
we continue to
have our
concerns that
that hasn't
happened and
that there has
been
violence.
We have
continually
encouraged and
continue to
encourage the
authorities to
allow for
peaceful
protest and
for the right
to peaceful
assembly.
And beyond
that, we'll
continue to be
in touch with
the leaders of
the two main
parties,
trying to make
sure that they
can resolve
their
differences.
So what if
anything is
the UN doing?
Watch this
site.
, 
