'US-Bangla military diplomacy up'

[eastwatch]

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

Allah has made some people blind, deaf and dumb. No amount of education will ever change your unintelligent one track mind. Learn to post logically and do not please glorify your employer RAW although I know you are doing a high paying job to do that. It is not about yiur employer RAW, it is about US-Bangla thread. Stick to it.

 

[BanglaBhoot]

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.

I suggest you read my earlier posts on this thread as your comments are completely irrelevant to what I have said .....

 

[Jobless Jack]

so the way i see it we are the next pakistan ? in the eye of uncle sam

 

[idune]

so the way i see it we are the next pakistan ? in the eye of uncle sam

There is a saying - its hard to be uncle sam friend than enemy. But then again we are dealing with immediate enemy india as well. We have fragmented and narrow path and have to choose carefully.

 

[Jobless Jack]

There is a saying - its hard to be uncle sam friend than enemy. But then again we are dealing with immediate enemy india as well. We have fragmented and narrow path and have to choose carefully.

so is that a yes or a no ?

 

[eastwatch]

I suggest you read my earlier posts on this thread as your comments are completely irrelevant to what I have said .....

Mr. Munshi I have high respect for your opinion, but you have deviated from your usual line of argument by unnecessarily inputting elements like general elction, AL and Indian influence. I was expecting a more rational analysis. I certainly do not believe your one will match line by line with my one.

But, if every important thread is taken in an India-centric line then the discussion loses its flow and ends into an unknown desert. I think US-BD relationship is part of a US string of pearls that Idune said in his post. Purpose is to bottle up the China dragon in itself.

I personally belive USA as a saviour, but that country is late by more than fouir decades. By this time, BD has aligned with China as a deterrent against India. I feel Indian pressure we feel is more psychlogical than it is physical. Only a strong, both in economy and military, country can counteract against Indian hegemony. India has a kind of understanding with USA. But, India has also shaped its foreign policy before 1971 war. It has aligned with USSR (Russia). So, USA does not really trust India nad vice versa.

I do not believe US is hear to grab BD and throw it to India's lap. US foreign policy does not certainly move in that line. Except for NATO, which a collective defence treaty, US aligns with individual countries. So, USA is not asking India to work in BD on its behalf. Rather, it is engaging BD directly. It is conducting so many joint military exercises with BD. All wars are fought psychologically before the real war starts, therefore, it is possible that US wants:

1) BD to align with China when it is a tripartiate psychological relationship among BD, China and India.

2) But, in a real India-China war situation US may want BD to allow Indian logistics to pass through BD rivers. If not, it wants BD to remain neutral, at the minimum, both to India and China.

3) I certainly do not believe, all of a sudden USA will bring in its troops to be mobilized through BD land. The last thing USA will want is to see a BD direct assistance to Chinese war afforts in the north and NE.

4) USA wants BD help by not allowing a basing facilities in the BoB. If Burma agrees, US may not allow a direct road/rly link between BoB and Yunnan.

5) USA will not stop India from using Sittwe port in Myanmar, but it will be watchful no huge amounts of arms go to NE via this route. This is how USA will keep India at its mercy.

USA wants a kind of military facilities in BD/BoB, no doubt, however small it may be to keep the nearby country under its satellite watch.

 

[idune]

so is that a yes or a no ?

yes or no for what - US turn Bangladesh like Pakistan? The scenario and context of US relation and intention is quite different than Pakistan. So, you can not compare. But there is good and bad in this venture and I would say its bad is long term effect and good is at minimum and perhapa will minimize indian interference. Trick is the balancing act.

 

[idune]

In the backdrop of US over reach, following development is interesting:

Khaleda attends dinner at Chinese envoy’s residence
UNBconnect... - Khaleda attends dinner at Chinese envoy

 

[DarkPrince]

bhai janera nijeder moddhe bokar moto jhogra kora bondho koren aida akta serious bepar

amader onek dekhe sune podokhep nite hobe

 

[Jobless Jack]

yes or no for what - US turn Bangladesh like Pakistan? The scenario and context of US relation and intention is quite different than Pakistan. So, you can not compare. But there is good and bad in this venture and I would say its bad is long term effect and good is at minimum and perhapa will minimize indian interference. Trick is the balancing act.

personal opinion bro i think bd's best balance act should be between USA and china.


ecnomic and trade deals with USA that will favour bd and keep buying higer and sophisticated weopons from china and also use USA to help BD achieve its goals in the international arena.
just my line of thought ,



what i am saying is that BD must not lose the chinese under any circumstance

 

[BanglaBhoot]

Mr. Munshi I have high respect for your opinion, but you have deviated from your usual line of argument by unnecessarily inputting elements like general elction, AL and Indian influence. I was expecting a more rational analysis. I certainly do not believe your one will match line by line with my one.

But, if every important thread is taken in an India-centric line then the discussion loses its flow and ends into an unknown desert. I think US-BD relationship is part of a US string of pearls that Idune said in his post. Purpose is to bottle up the China dragon in itself.

I personally belive USA as a saviour, but that country is late by more than fouir decades. By this time, BD has aligned with China as a deterrent against India. I feel Indian pressure we feel is more psychlogical than it is physical. Only a strong, both in economy and military, country can counteract against Indian hegemony. India has a kind of understanding with USA. But, India has also shaped its foreign policy before 1971 war. It has aligned with USSR (Russia). So, USA does not really trust India nad vice versa.

I do not believe US is hear to grab BD and throw it to India's lap. US foreign policy does not certainly move in that line. Except for NATO, which a collective defence treaty, US aligns with individual countries. So, USA is not asking India to work in BD on its behalf. Rather, it is engaging BD directly. It is conducting so many joint military exercises with BD. All wars are fought psychologically before the real war starts, therefore, it is possible that US wants:

1) BD to align with China when it is a tripartiate psychological relationship among BD, China and India.

2) But, in a real India-China war situation US may want BD to allow Indian logistics to pass through BD rivers. If not, it wants BD to remain neutral, at the minimum, both to India and China.

3) I certainly do not believe, all of a sudden USA will bring in its troops to be mobilized through BD land. The last thing USA will want is to see a BD direct assistance to Chinese war afforts in the north and NE.

4) USA wants BD help by not allowing a basing facilities in the BoB. If Burma agrees, US may not allow a direct road/rly link between BoB and Yunnan.

5) USA will not stop India from using Sittwe port in Myanmar, but it will be watchful no huge amounts of arms go to NE via this route. This is how USA will keep India at its mercy.

USA wants a kind of military facilities in BD/BoB, no doubt, however small it may be to keep the nearby country under its satellite watch.

I have taken a more domestic viewpoint on the issue of US involvement in Bangladesh on the basis that Bangladesh has no way of influencing the wider geo-strategic calculations of the US, China and India. Our influence is entirely domestic. I understand the US thinking and also the Chinese and Indian perspective. My concern is how all of this affects Bangladesh internally as we cannot do anything externally.

 

[eastwatch]

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.”

Mr. Munshi, now about the reporting made by UNBconnect. It is a little different than the 1st reporting we have been discussing about. One point is the visiting dignitary is an Admiral of the US Navy and the Commander of US Pacific Command (PaCom).

Note what he said about the BD-US relationship, "“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.

I just do not understand why really the military representative of a country like USA should speak in such a blant way about the importance of BD unless there are good reasons to say so. This person is man who like to talk blunt.

So, I am pondering what he really meant by his words. Were these only to flatter Bangladesh, one of the poorest countries of the world? No, it cannot be. There must be something that must be read out from the lines he spoke and from all other US military top brasses and diplomats who have been visiting and talking similar things all along.

 

[Avisheik]

You guys are forgetting the most important thing:- BoB Has Oil. Uncle sam plays his cards right.

If i am not wrong US wants a bigger share of our energy market. Conocophillips got 9 offshore gas blocks for exploration. Thus, they are trying to cosy up to us.

Anyway i am more interested in the military equipment they said they will offer us. (anyone interested in chinooks and f 16s ). As for ships i hope the rumor of getting the USCGC Rush is true.

 

[BanglaBhoot]

You guys are forgetting the most important thing:- BoB Has Oil. Uncle sam plays his cards right.

If i am not wrong US wants a bigger share of our energy market. Conocophillips got 9 offshore gas blocks for exploration. Thus, they are trying to cosy up to us.

Anyway i am more interested in the military equipment they said they will offer us. (anyone interested in chinooks and f 16s ). As for ships i hope the rumor of getting the USCGC Rush is true.

You are all forgetting the most important thing .... Bangladesh has uranium and zirconium and many other rare metals and minerals ...... It is also strategically located and will be the new front for the United States military to control and contain China and India and also the sea lanes that flow through the Indian Ocean and the Malacca Straits ...... The Pentagon has already identified the region as the most important and contentious in the world at this moment ....

 

[CaPtAiN_pLaNeT]

You are all forgetting the most important thing .... Bangladesh has uranium and zirconium and many other rare metals and minerals ...... It is also strategically located and will be the new front for the United States military to control and contain China and India and also the sea lanes that flow through the Indian Ocean and the Malacca Straits ...... The Pentagon has already identified the region as the most important and contentious in the world at this moment ....

I have been hearing about the Uranium stuff for a while. Can you tell me how much uranium deposit does Bangladesh have if it really has a reserve.