The Bangladesh Crisis & The Role United Nations Must Play One more time Bangladesh has eclipsed in its cycle of chronic violence that repeats every five years of interval, as to decide how to conduct the general election to ensure transfer of political power. The crisis remains acute, as each incumbent government intends to circumvent its constitutional obligation by legal manipulation, constitutional amendment, and unethical trickery; to solve the crisis, it eventually requires an active involvement of Washington, the EU, and India. The international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the World Bank (WB), and other respective parties also have played a pivotal role in the past. The ongoing violent phase is no exception, as the crisis was single handedly created by the incumbent Prime Minister, as she intends to perpetuate her hold on power by any means necessary, including, among others, hacking constitutional arrangement, abusing judiciary, personally intimidating, employing violence, and enforcing political thugery on the opponent. The United Nations therefore again became active, in order to find a solution to hold the election. Seemingly, the UN is yet to declare officially its modus operandi, should the Secretariat of the United Nations decides either to mediate or intervene, so as to prevent the ongoing political crisis that is about to spill beyond the control of the incumbent inept regime, jeopardizing security of its neighbors. It is observed that in the past, the UN involvement in Bangladesh has been on an ad hoc basis principle, as holding a free, fair, and transparent election received its immediate priority, and once the election was over, the UN coiled back to its desk. Because of its focus on instant solution, the United Nations has failed to develop a permanent solution to the problem; the same cycle of violence, as a result, has been repeated for last twenty years. Two reasons can be offered for that lapse, on the part of the United Nations policy. First, The UN involvement in Bangladesh operates on the principles and values of constitutional liberalism that is only practiced in the developed world. As opposed to third world countries, ethics, etiquette, and promise are followed earnestly by the policy makes in the West; consequently, projecting a Western prescription based on idealistic values of the Occident fails to inspire the despotic Orientals, since the Orientals are moved only by fear factor than any philanthropic spirit. Second, being fascist by nature per se, Bangladeshi politicians violate their promise that they make prior election, once they assume power. It also evinces that politicians in Bangladesh have not learnt any lesson from history, and is bent to repeat the same folly, one more time. But the question is can the United Nations afford to become engaged in Bangladesh, again, given that the UN involvement means spending of dollars, pledged by the taxpayer citizens of the Western world, specifically, of the United States. Besides, is there any point of getting involved repeatedly? This being the case, I believe, this time, the United Nations should pursue a long term policy of social engineering, so as to transform Bangladesh for good, involving the regional and international parties with stake in the process. The UN therefore must pursue the policies as follows: First, classify Bangladesh as an emergent “Failed State” officially under a Security Council resolution, as all the signs of a failed state have already appeared on the surface, under the mismanaged and mishandled regime of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The UN must decide to take charge of Bangladesh literary under its mandate, and with that intention, make a minute preparation for a long-term humanitarian intervention, involving a multinational military force, as necessary, under the UN supervision and authority. Second, the UN should develop the coalition force consisting of contributions made by the member countries of the region which send troops to respective UN mission regularly: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, etc. Bangladeshi defense forces would assist as an auxiliary to the UN Force. Third, the UN multilateral force should be assigned to rebuild Bangladesh. The Force must stay in Bangladesh for 10 to15 years at the minimum in which period the Commandant of the UN force would direct the nation building project, under the guidance of the Security Council. Fourth, the Commandant of the UN force should be selected from a Commonwealth country, as to ensure a better coordination with Europe and America. An Australian or a Canadian could lead the motley crew better as the CnC to whom the defense forces of Bangladesh would pledge their allegiance. Fifth, the UN Force must draw the majority of its soldiers from India, followed by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with few senior ranking officers from ANZ, SA, and Canada. It would save money to conduct the operation. Besides, as both India and Pakistan are adjacent to Bangladesh and have historical ties, as they have ruled over Bangladesh earlier, their mutually coordinated physical presence on the land would counterbalance the supporters of the rival political parties, as India and Pakistan would work in mutual consultation. The experience of ruling the country in the past would also provide the policy makers in New Delhi and Islamabad an additional edge over other contributing member states. Sixth, during 10-15 years of UN supervised rule, the echelons of the civil administration and the judiciary must be run by a team of international bureaucrats, to ensure bureaucratic reconstruction and quality of service. The majority of these bureaucrats should be drawn from Indian and Pakistani civil, judiciary, military, and security services, with occasional drawing of personnel from other Commonwealth countries. Seventh, the UN administration should initiate the development of major infrastructural and institutional capability building projects in the country, as this would ensure the desired qualitative progress, to lay the future foundation of the self-rule by the Muslim natives. Seven, because of its extended stay in Bangladesh and as the size of the force would range from 4- 6 divisions of soldiers, meeting the cost of the ongoing operation is a serious concern. Financing should be carried out by Dhaka, extracted from Bangladeshi exchequer. The civil and judiciary cadre from foreign countries should also be paid by the government of Bangladesh. Eight, because of strategic position, historical affinity, and the role played out to its genesis, the future of Bangladesh is tied to the Indian trajectory of regional politics and its national interest. India has an inherent right to determine and to demand that policy of Dhaka does not hurt the regional interest of India. Therefore, India must participate actively in order to shape the future of Bangladesh, to suit interests and aspirations of New Delhi. To ensure Indian commitment to the cause and offer provisions for her subsequent leadership role, New Delhi must be compensated fairly. The UN must ensure, once it leaves, India safeguards Bangladesh from reeling into the hands of the barbarians. Nine, to tie New Delhi to the future development of Dhaka, a deep financial incentive must be provided to New Delhi. The UN must pressurize Dhaka to allow India enjoy the special political, economic, and military rights over Bangladesh. In domestic market, Bangladesh must be turned into a combination of Indian dumping ground, sweat factory, and market for the Indian products. Arrangements must be made, as to allow duty free entry of Indian products into Bangladesh. The trade policy must favor India asymmetrically, as New Delhi desires. India will have transit access to conduct trade using air, water, and land of Bangladesh with a nominal fee. Tenth, Indian military and security forces should have a prominent role in deciding the security matters of Bangladesh. The Pakistani military force would assist the Indian Army, to pursue the UN policy and Islamabad would receive its share of financial incentives for the humanitarian service as well, paid by Bangladesh. Finally, under the Rome Treaty of which Bangladesh is a signatory member country, politicians of Bangladesh should be tried at the International Criminal Court. The UN Security Council can also authorize the apex courts in India and Pakistan to try Bangladeshi politicians for their alleged role in crime against humanity, attempt to create condition of genocide, and direct involvement in ethnic cleansing of the minorities. Rebuilding Bangladesh would not be an easy task, but prior to abandoning it to anarchy, the UN should give a try. If all peaceful measures fail, full-scale military intervention by regional powers can always remain an option. Again, India has to play that critical role, to shape Bangladesh. After all, Bangladesh was an Indian love child, borne out of its policies, so New Delhi must bear its burden.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Dec 2013 23:35:20 +0000
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