'US-Bangla military diplomacy up'

[PlanetSoldier]

'US-Bangla military diplomacy up'


Wed, Oct 10th, 2012 10:08 pm BdST


Dhaka, Oct 10 (bdnews24.com)—Military diplomacy has increased manifold between Dhaka and Washington as the US has key interest in Asia Pacific and South Asia region, Commander of US Pacific Command Admiral Samuel J Locklear said on Wednesday.

"We did an assessment and ask us a pretty simple question – what part of the world is our key interest for future and the answer is Asia Pacific and South Asia," Locklear said while exchanging views with a group of selected journalists at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in Dhaka.

He met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Army chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan and Navy chief Vice Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed.

Secretary of US Navy Ray Mabus, Commanding General of US Army Pacific Command Lieutenant General Francis J Wiercinski, Seventh Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Scott Swift and Deputy Commander of Army National Guard of US Army Pacific Major General Joseph J Chaves visited Bangladesh this year.

The first-ever Bangladesh-US security dialogue was held in Dhaka in April while military dialogue was held in Hawaii in September.

Rebalancing in Asia

Washington is rebalancing its engagement as its focus has been shifted from the Middle East, Admiral Locklear said.

"In the last decades our military focus is primarily on the Middle East due to counterterrorism but these activities have come down," he said.

There is a rebalancing of engagement in not only about military but also about diplomatic and economic arena.

"Because of rebalance, you are seeing more activities by senior leadership devoted to Asia Pacific and South Asia and I think you should expect to see it continued," said the four-star admiral, who joined the Navy at 17 and would turn 58 next week.

Bangladesh engagement>/b>

The Admiral sees no problem if Bangladesh has military engagement with other powers in the region including China.

"Of course, Bangladesh can have productive role in other powers in the region," Locklear said, "In the end, we will have security environment where everyone participates."

The US admiral categorically said Washington would only help Bangladesh if its government asked for it.

He emphasised having more joint military exercise and said Washington might provide defence equipment including ships to Bangladesh.

Special forces

Admiral Locklear said US special forces have been operating in some countries with the consent of the respective governments.

His predecessor Robert F Willard once said the special forces were working in five Asian countries including Bangladesh.

"We have some special force operations but it is within the full concurrence of the governments of those countries."

US Pacific Command covers 36 countries, 3.6 billion people and five of out seven allies of the US are located in the area.

bdnews24.com/ssz/bd/2134h


'US-Bangla military diplomacy up' | Bangladesh | bdnews24.com

 

[Zabaniyah]

The Admiral sees no problem if Bangladesh has military engagement with other powers in the region including China.

"Of course, Bangladesh can have productive role in other powers in the region," Locklear said, "In the end, we will have security environment where everyone participates."

The US admiral categorically said Washington would only help Bangladesh if its government asked for it.

He emphasised having more joint military exercise and said Washington might provide defence equipment including ships to Bangladesh.

What!?

 

[PlanetSoldier]

What!?

They've long been saying this, no wonder. They now anyhow want military attachment with BD...did you ever see before like almost everyday there's a report on US-Bangla military or US ambassador's relentless statement on BD prospect etc.?

 

[Zabaniyah]

They've long been saying this, no wonder. They now anyhow want military attachment with BD...did you ever see before like almost everyday there's a report on US-Bangla military or US ambassador's relentless statement on BD prospect etc.?

I wonder what they'd offer.

Although, it doesn't hurt to have an 'insurance policy'. Can anyone specify what these 'prospects' are?

Very difficult and complicated environment indeed given the nature of Sino-US relations now! And there is our next door Dada.

And here we are run by a leader who's clearly mentally ill. But we are still breathing! Are we bloody awesome or what?

By the way, China has also tried to woo us before.

 

[idune]

This is much bigger than just military cooperation. This US out reach is very strategic in nature and defense is central part of it. This topic requires through review and analysis. Munshi bahi do you have time for joint effort?

 

[BanglaBhoot]

This is no surprise. The US has been pushing for military cooperation for the last two years. They have increased military diplomacy with Bangladesh ever since Hasina came to power. The objective of 1/11 and allowing the AL to win the rigged elections of 2008 was so that India and the US could gain. However, India quickly double-crossed the US and have tried to keep the Americans out of Bangladesh. Hasina also has been a great disappointment to America. The AL made many promises so they could come to power but broke all of them. Now that elections are ahead the US is making a new push. While the naval cooperation appears to be aimed at China it also affects India. China is keeping quiet as they do not need to protest as the Indians are doing that anyway behind the scenes. The interesting development is that the BNP is likely to come to an agreement with India to keep the US out of Bangladesh provided they are allowed to win the next elections with New Delhi's assistance. Please read the latest issue of PROBE news magazine. Khaleda Zia is also making an extended trip to India at the end of October to settle this and also get India's agreement for Tareque Rahman to re-enter Bangladesh politics. This agreement will possibly be not acceptable to the US or China. In effect the BNP has become the party of India as policy makers in New Delhi have already discounted the AL. The Indians also have a secret plan of bringing Ershad to power with the possibility of making Barrister Andaleeb Rahman a future PM and so keeping Tareque and Joy away from politics. That is as much as I can say right now .......

 

[idune]

While you focused on domestic politics and developments let me expand on regional and extra regional developments that is also influencing US overreach.

Aside from indian double crossing and China factor, US is also looking into post 2014 scenario in Central Asia and middle east. Given US position is greatly undermined in middle east and position in Central Asia is shaky at best, US is looking for new anchors for these regions. Indian ocean was important but it became more important given diminishing influence US and also for Asia Pacific pivot. We also have to factor in China already has base making and monitoring capability in Myanmar, SriLanka and at mouth of Persian Gulf through Gwadar. India already been double crossing and cannot be trusted with its intension.
In these backdrops, US is moving its sphere of power projection centers further south but not far from middle east or from busy shipping corridor of Malacca strait. Myanmar is already been probed by US and some inroad has been made, Bangladesh is pursued persistently and latest is US is on its way to secure a Maldives island to use as a base/air base. Now if you connects these dots in Diego Garcia, Maldives, Bangladesh, Myanmar an US string of pearl emerges. That gives a glimpse of from where US will pursue military backed diplomacy for south Asia and Middle East region in coming years. Not to mention all these places US looking to insert itself China is main or major contender. At policy making level in US there has been growing thrust (not just election rhetoric) to isolate China while they can.

All these vectors driving US push southward and Bangladesh happens to be in the strategic path of big power contention.

Now what can country like Bangladesh do in such situation? Neither traditional political leadership nor military can be counted to uphold people interest. Perhaps, Central Asian states can provide some examples how they are living between contention of big powers.

 

[eastwatch]

Some people see India every nook and corner of the country, and unfortunately PDF has been hijacked by many of them. I wonder if there were millions of Indians in the last election who posed as BD voters. People are making childish statements by putting too much emphasize on India in our domestic matters and now about the BD-US relationship. These are those people who opposed an independent BD country in 1971.

We should be more objective in our assessment of the BD-US military and diplomatic relationship. People will laugh if someone implies all these relationships are to give an election win to AL. Some people love India so much that they keep on glorifying that country for nothing.

 

[BanglaBhoot]

Some people see India every nook and corner of the country, and unfortunately PDF has been hijacked by many of them. I wonder if there were millions of Indians in the last election who posed as BD voters. People are making childish statements by putting too much emphasize on India in our domestic matters and now about the BD-US relationship. These are those people who opposed an independent BD country in 1971.

We should be more objective in our assessment of the BD-US military and diplomatic relationship. People will laugh if someone implies all these relationships are to give an election win to AL. Some people love India so much that they keep on glorifying that country for nothing.

You deliberately underestimate India and their involvement in our domestic politics .... Clearly you have an Indian agenda which you promote on PDF ......

 

[Bhairava]

Its always funny seeing two bangis accuse each other of being Indian dalali while both wrongly accuse India..

 

[BanglaBhoot]

Its always funny seeing two bangis accuse each other of being Indian dalali while both wrongly accuse India..

Well I have the better credentials of not being an Indian dalal ......

 

[BanglaBhoot]

Now what can country like Bangladesh do in such situation? Neither traditional political leadership nor military can be counted to uphold people interest.

That is the point I was trying to address in my comments. Your summary was very good in considering the US and Chinese positions in regard to the Indian Ocean. The strategic map is, however, enormous and well beyond the capabilities of Bangladesh to influence. It is necessary for Bangladesh politicians to be aware of the wider context that you have presented but at the same time to uphold our national interests which they are failing to do ....

 

[CaPtAiN_pLaNeT]

Pacom wants closer military ties with B’desh Navy: Locklear


UNBconnect... - Pacom wants closer military ties with B

Reported by: UNBConnect
Reported on: October 10, 2012 20:42 PM
Reported in: National

Dhaka, Oct 10 (UNB) – The Pacom (Pacific Command) of the United States wants to build closer ‘military-military relations’ with the Bangladesh Navy to fulfill its mandate to ensure better security environment in the Asia Pacific, said visiting Commander of the US Pacom Admiral Samuel J Locklear III here on Wednesday.

Asia Pacific is the region that the US will be giving the most priority over any other in the coming days for the existence of some critical lines of communication as well as for the existence some of the largest economies of the world, he said, adding that the strategic involvement is not only about military relations, but also about the relations between governments and economies.

“As I look across this part of the world… Bangladesh is a cornerstone for the future security of the world,” added Locklear while responding to quarries by journalists at a media roundtable organised by the US Embassy at a city hotel.

The Pacom Commander also pointed out that it has a plan to observe over the next five years what progress is made in the military-military relations between the forces of both the countries through the completion of CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training) exercise.

Earlier, last month, the US and Bangladesh Navies jointly conducted the 2nd CARAT exercise in the Bay of Bengal for eight days from September 17 to 24.

Under the present status of the military-military relations, military officials of both the Navies at the lower general levels will annually meet to figure out what kind of activities to be engaged with in the future, said Locklear.

“We’ve been under a free-flowing, living kind of relations,” he said hinting at closer engagements in the future than only going through joint-exercises and exchange of defense articles.

In this regard, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena told the roundtable: “The US government has a mandate to broaden, deepen the relations between the countries as far as Bangladesh can take it.”

Asked about the presence of US special forces in the country, Commander Locklear, instead of making any direct comment, said, “The presence of any US forces are there with full knowledge and understanding, and at the invitation of the allies.”

 

[eastwatch]

You deliberately underestimate India and their involvement in our domestic politics .... Clearly you have an Indian agenda which you promote on PDF ......

It surprises me to see when you claim yourself as an intelligentia, yet you have failed to deliver a single point that is objective to the issue at hand. Your lines above show you can talk very cheap which is unexpected of you. The issue at hand is US-Bangla military tie up which has been continuing for many many years. It has nothing to do with general election, past and future.

Military in Bangladesh has a different mindset than the Awami Leaguers and any ruling Party cannot just supersede the authority of the military by the tick of two fingers when the long-term defence interest of the country is the issue. For example, Military puts strong emphasis on its covert understanig with PA because it is good for a long term defence. AL cannot do anything about it.

Note also about China, a declared enemy of India. But, SHW had to visit China after election. Do you think it had pleased India? Certainly not, but her hand was tied by the military dictate. AL govt is purchasing all the Chinese defence equipments that its two can take hold of. Jets, tanks, warships and many hundred million dollars (more than $1000 million?) worth of military goodies have been bought during AL at the certain displeasure of India. But, SHW cannot do anything about it because it is a military wish.

Military itself is one of the centers of power in the country. It is wrong to assume because AL is in power, therefore, it has the power or ability to overcome military's long-term defence wish. For this same reason, our miltary dictates the policy on defence and the Execetive Branch follows it.

Similarly, it is the BA who is playing front role in the BD-US military exercises and tie-ups. Execcutive Branch people at the embassies are only providing them with diplomatic visas at most.

 

[idune]

You deliberately underestimate India and their involvement in our domestic politics .... Clearly you have an Indian agenda which you promote on PDF ......

Munshi bahi, ignore him. He is just acting as RAW sympathiser and awami fanboy. He will justify RAW and indian acivities any chance he gets.