Sears Towers a manifestation of what US, Bangladesh can achieve together: US Secretary of State Blinken

[Black_cats]

Published on 12:09 PM, April 04, 2022

Sears Towers a manifestation of what US, Bangladesh can achieve together: US Secretary of State Blinken​

Blinken says in message marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries​

Reuters file photo
Star Digital Report
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cited the example of the iconic Sears Tower to refer to what the Bangladeshis and Americans can achieve together – in a message marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In a video message posted on his Twitter account, he said that for generations, Bangladeshis have made tremendous contributions to the United States.

In 1952, Fazlur Rahman Khan was the first Bangladeshi to receive the Fulbright Scholarship to study in the US, completed his PhD and two master's degrees in structural engineering and mechanics. Later, he joined an architecture firm in Chicago where he designed an office building for Sears Corporation.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1510821962376953859

In 1973, just a year after the US and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations, the iconic Sears Tower was finished in downtown Chicago.

"Since then, the tower has defined a classic American skyline and it represents just one manifestation of what Americans and Bangladeshis can do together," Blinken said.

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen is now in Washington and will hold a bilateral meeting with Blinken in his office today, marking the 50th year of diplomatic relationship.

He recalled that in February 1972, Senator Ted Kennedy visited Bangladesh and spoke to the students at University of Dhaka and the values that tied the peoples of the two countries – the similar struggles for independence, love for liberty and journeys to follow the star of freedom.

Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower. Photo: Wikepedia
">
Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower. Photo: Wikepedia
Soon after, on April 4, then US President Richard Nixon sent a letter to Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, establishing the diplomatic ties, predicting that the ties and good will between the two peoples would grow for years to come, Blinken said.

He said 50 years later, the two countries collaborate virtually on every issue that matters to the people and the ties between Bangladeshis and Americans grow deeper and more intertwined with every generation.

"Our countries have forged partnership to improve public health, strengthening local health systems, bringing down the maternal mortality by two thirds over the last two decades, and providing 61 million of Covid-19 vaccines to combat pandemic," Blinken said.

In 2021, the US bought more Bangladeshi products than any other country did, representing some $8.3 billion.

He said the US encourages Bangladesh to make progress on workers' rights to deepen the robust economic partnership.

"We are tackling the climate crisis together, strengthening the resilience of the communities that are already affected by the rising sea level and more severe storms, investing in clean energy and protecting wetlands and forests in Bangladesh for future generations," the US Secretary of State said.

He said the US and Bangladesh address humanitarian conflicts and crises together, from responding to natural disasters to supporting Bangladesh's role as one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations.

The two countries are also working together to help the Rohingyas, who fled genocide and crimes against humanity committed by the Myanmar military, Blinken said.

He also commended Bangladesh for sheltering a million Rohingyas and for continuing to support for those efforts as they have been doing since the crisis started in 2017.

"I look forward to seeing what our people will build together in the decades ahead as we continue to follow that 'star of freedom'."

 

[bluesky]

I have read somewhere American critiques calling F. R. Khan the "Einstein of Structural Engineering", he was such a genius. But, he died too early in SA in a plane accident while visiting there, unfortunately.

Guys, do not please forget that Engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan hailed from my native district Faridpur.

A photograph of Sears Tower/ Willis Tower

 

[Tom-tom]

So America steals brains, keeps poor countries poor, uses the brain power to makes itself better. The poor countries just sit in slums. Oh the pedestal and delusions the west sits on.

 

[MIRauf]

So America steals brains, keeps poor countries poor, uses the brain power to makes itself better. The poor countries just sit in slums. Oh the pedestal and delusions the west sits on.

That's one way of looking at it, flip side is that these individuals got the chance of a life time to show off their capabilities which in their own homeland ( place of birth ) would have been either rejected / dejected / or had deprived them off it.

 

[SQ8]

More a manifestation of what a hardworking talented immigrant can achieve in the US

 

[K_Bin_W]

So America steals brains, keeps poor countries poor, uses the brain power to makes itself better. The poor countries just sit in slums. Oh the pedestal and delusions the west sits on.

Its called brian drain... Its one of the reasons why poor countries do not develop.

 

[Tom-tom]

Its called brian drain... Its one of the reasons why poor countries do not develop.

That's one way of looking at it, flip side is that these individuals got the chance of a life time to show off their capabilities which in their own homeland ( place of birth ) would have been either rejected / dejected / or had deprived them off it.

That's partly because of western backed imf and world banks have crippled developing countries and keeping them poor and In debt.

Only providing funds for development for corporations from rich countries suck up the resources from the poor countries. Whilst the poor gov pay off the loans for those funds provided.

A hand full of locals get jobs, whilst the rest suffer.

You think people in the west are so civilised and high and mighty but this pandemic and uk s shortage of distribution drivers showed the true face of people. Any slight adversity and its daggers in the back of others.

People who have modest/high incomes cleaning out shelves like it's a nuclear disaster, whilst those on living on a weekly wage found themselves with nothing buy at the end of the working week.

Then there was Karen that uses her car to go the asda twice week, full tanks her car and queues just because everyone else is doing it, and fills up a jerry can. Whilst people that work 70 hrs a week don't have time to fill their tank.


I wonder if these people got decimated their culture, resources and oppressed e.t.c for good couple hundred years I would like to see how these people turn out.

 

[Wergeland]

Published on 12:09 PM, April 04, 2022

Sears Towers a manifestation of what US, Bangladesh can achieve together: US Secretary of State Blinken​

Blinken says in message marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries​

Reuters file photo
Star Digital Report
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cited the example of the iconic Sears Tower to refer to what the Bangladeshis and Americans can achieve together – in a message marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In a video message posted on his Twitter account, he said that for generations, Bangladeshis have made tremendous contributions to the United States.

In 1952, Fazlur Rahman Khan was the first Bangladeshi to receive the Fulbright Scholarship to study in the US, completed his PhD and two master's degrees in structural engineering and mechanics. Later, he joined an architecture firm in Chicago where he designed an office building for Sears Corporation.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1510821962376953859

In 1973, just a year after the US and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations, the iconic Sears Tower was finished in downtown Chicago.

"Since then, the tower has defined a classic American skyline and it represents just one manifestation of what Americans and Bangladeshis can do together," Blinken said.

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen is now in Washington and will hold a bilateral meeting with Blinken in his office today, marking the 50th year of diplomatic relationship.

He recalled that in February 1972, Senator Ted Kennedy visited Bangladesh and spoke to the students at University of Dhaka and the values that tied the peoples of the two countries – the similar struggles for independence, love for liberty and journeys to follow the star of freedom.

Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower. Photo: Wikepedia
">
Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower. Photo: Wikepedia
Soon after, on April 4, then US President Richard Nixon sent a letter to Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, establishing the diplomatic ties, predicting that the ties and good will between the two peoples would grow for years to come, Blinken said.

He said 50 years later, the two countries collaborate virtually on every issue that matters to the people and the ties between Bangladeshis and Americans grow deeper and more intertwined with every generation.

"Our countries have forged partnership to improve public health, strengthening local health systems, bringing down the maternal mortality by two thirds over the last two decades, and providing 61 million of Covid-19 vaccines to combat pandemic," Blinken said.

In 2021, the US bought more Bangladeshi products than any other country did, representing some $8.3 billion.

He said the US encourages Bangladesh to make progress on workers' rights to deepen the robust economic partnership.

"We are tackling the climate crisis together, strengthening the resilience of the communities that are already affected by the rising sea level and more severe storms, investing in clean energy and protecting wetlands and forests in Bangladesh for future generations," the US Secretary of State said.

He said the US and Bangladesh address humanitarian conflicts and crises together, from responding to natural disasters to supporting Bangladesh's role as one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations.

The two countries are also working together to help the Rohingyas, who fled genocide and crimes against humanity committed by the Myanmar military, Blinken said.

He also commended Bangladesh for sheltering a million Rohingyas and for continuing to support for those efforts as they have been doing since the crisis started in 2017.

"I look forward to seeing what our people will build together in the decades ahead as we continue to follow that 'star of freedom'."

Alright something is really brewing.
Have never seen America giving so much attention to Bangladesh. Can we hope for Bangladesh finally getting the attention and respect is deserves from Yankees? May be finally this will make Kissinger eat his iwn hat.

Can we hope for F-15 E or F-16??

 

[MultaniGuy]

That's partly because of western backed imf and world banks have crippled developing countries and keeping them poor and In debt.

Only providing funds for development for corporations from rich countries such up the resources from the poor countries. Whilst the poor gov pay off the loans for those funds provided.

A hand full of locals get jobs, whilst the rest suffer.

You think people in the west are so civilised and high and mighty but this pandemic and uk s shortage of distribution drivers showed the true face of people. Any slight adversity and its daggers in the back of others.

People who have modest/high incomes cleaning out shelves like it's a nuclear disaster, whilst those on living on a weekly wage found themselves with nothing buy at the end of the working week.

Then there was Karen that uses her car to go the asda twice week, full tanks her car and queues just because everyone else is doing it, and fills up a jerry can. Whilst people that work 70 hrs a week don't have time to fill their tank.


I wonder if these people got decimated their culture, resources and oppressed e.t.c for good couple hundred years I would like to see how these people turn out.

Its no hidden secret that the West tries to hamper development in the developing world.

But the rise of China will change things hopefully.

 

[Avicenna]

Alright something is really brewing.
Have never seen America giving so much attention to Bangladesh. Can we hope for Bangladesh finally getting the attention and respect is deserves from Yankees? May be finally this will make Kissinger eat his iwn hat.

Can we hope for F-15 E or F-16??

Bro, there must be a reason for all this attention by Uncle Sam.

I wonder how Bangladesh fits in to the American plan for the region.

Also, said attention is not necessarily a good thing.

In terms of platforms, the US will probably offer Block 70/72 with limited weapons.

 

[UKBengali]

Bro, there must be a reason for all this attention by Uncle Sam.

I wonder how Bangladesh fits in to the American plan for the region.

Also, said attention is not necessarily a good thing.

In terms of platforms, the US will probably offer Block 70/72 with limited weapons.

If you were a US analyst in the State Department you would probably see this:


1. Unitary state of 165 million population that would get to near 200 million by 2030.

2. Economy may get to "middle-income" level in the 2030s and so a decent economic power by then.

3. Not anti-West at all.

To the US this looks like a large and stable state that they would like to have on their "team".

BD needs to find a way to make it clear to the US that it has no interest in joining their "team" without offending them that they apply too much economic pressure on BD.

 

[Wergeland]

Bro, there must be a reason for all this attention by Uncle Sam.

I wonder how Bangladesh fits in to the American plan for the region.

Also, said attention is not necessarily a good thing.

In terms of platforms, the US will probably offer Block 70/72 with limited weapons.

Block 72 is a quantum leap from current few mig 29. Bro i hope USA really has woken up. If it acts wisely it can have the “Princess and the Whole Kingdom” as we say in Norway.

 

[Tom-tom]

If you were a US analyst in the State Department you would probably see this:


1. Unitary state of 165 million population that would get to near 200 million by 2030.

2. Economy may get to "middle-income" level in the 2030s and so a decent economic power by then.

3. Not anti-West at all.

To the US this looks like a large and stable state that they would like to have on their "team".

BD needs to find a way to make it clear to the US that it has no interest in joining their "team" without offending them that they apply too much economic pressure on BD.

America has no interest in bd other then using it as its on the rise. On the flip side china has active interest into turning bd into an economic power house in South Asia and with some soft and hard power. In order to weaken the desperately north easter - once these states start spiting out their Hindu pacifiers then India will fall.

 

[Avicenna]

If you were a US analyst in the State Department you would probably see this:


1. Unitary state of 165 million population that would get to near 200 million by 2030.

2. Economy may get to "middle-income" level in the 2030s and so a decent economic power by then.

3. Not anti-West at all.

To the US this looks like a large and stable state that they would like to have on their "team".

BD needs to find a way to make it clear to the US that it has no interest in joining their "team" without offending them that they apply too much economic pressure on BD.

Yes, all facts.

But much of this was true before.

So, my question is what does the US want from BD now?

In very crude terms....

Trade?

Or a military base?

All this engagement is of course in relation to the US/China issue.

Just wondering what Washington is thinking.

We haven't really seen this level of attention from the US before.

 

[Wergeland]

If you were a US analyst in the State Department you would probably see this:


1. Unitary state of 165 million population that would get to near 200 million by 2030.

2. Economy may get to "middle-income" level in the 2030s and so a decent economic power by then.

3. Not anti-West at all.

To the US this looks like a large and stable state that they would like to have on their "team".

BD needs to find a way to make it clear to the US that it has no interest in joining their "team" without offending them that they apply too much economic pressure on BD.

BD needs to convince the US that its cooperation with China is necceciated by a rougue Burmese regime and overbearing policies by India. That China Bangladesh cooperation will not jeopardise US geostrageic interest. Tbh i think both USA and China is OK to some degree with BD being kinda neutral. India perhaps is the one who has most to loose from this arrangement, as Bangladesh slowly will drift out of its orbit. And that too without going full alliance with any specific camp.

If done correctly Bangladesh would have successfully played by the book of indian foreign policy in order to escape from its influence