Oh Boy, Now We’re Really In Trouble
Everything the US has touched (to “fix”), they have made worse….now it’s our turn…US security delegation comprising a congressman and military veterans has asked President Bush to give Bangladesh “high priority” as a strategic partner in US foreign and national security policies against the backdrop of its exposure to Islamist extremism.
“Bangladesh is potentially a crucial player in the struggle against Islamic extremism, and this is a crucial period for that country. The US has rare opportunity now to help shape the future of an important nation,” the delegation said in a recent letter to Bush upon returning home after a protracted visit to Bangladesh last month.
The five-member delegation last month visited Bangladesh and held a series of high-level meetings with senior government leaders, civil and military officials and businessmen.
The delegation comprised US Congressman Curt Weldon, former deputy assistance secretary of defence W Bruce Weinrod, retired US Air Force major general Ronald J Bath, retired US Army colonel Timothy D Ringgold, and retired US Coast Guard commander Michael D Kearney.
They came to Bangladesh to develop the framework for a major conference on homeland security issues to be held in Bangladesh later this year.
By making Bangladesh a priority the US could help “ensure a democratic and pro-Western nation, and prevent the emergence of another highly unstable Islamic nation vulnerable to extremism”, the letter said.
It warned that given the economic underdevelopment in that national along with political instability in recent years, “Bangladesh is vulnerable to extremist efforts to impose a violently anti-US regime on that nation”.
“Bangladesh’s positive role and potential makes it all the more important that the US take a pro-active role in assisting Bangladesh to improve its political and economic situation so that Bangladesh will not provide fertile ground for extremist fanaticism.”
The delegation observed that Bangladesh is now in a period of “political and economic transition” when key leaders are seeking to strengthen and deepen the national democratic political system and also crack down on “endemic” corruption.
Star Online Report
May 17th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
The Daily Star story is incomplete and poorly researched.
Please note that Curt Weldon is no longer a US congressman. He was defeated last year by Joe Sestak.
Weldon was not representaing the US government but a shady little neo-con outfit called Global Alliance For Homeland Security. Weldon is considered a bit of a kook in the US and is under investigation by the FBI for trading favors for lobbying contracts. Weldon’s visit to Bangladesh bears watching because it has neo-con written all over it. He was there shilling for Defense Solutions, trying to drum up business. Ringgold heads up Defence Solutions and Weldon is a paid lobbyist there.
Here’s a little more info about Weldon’s trip from the blog TPMCAfe:
http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/mrs_panstreppon/2007/may/13/keeping_an_eye_on_former_rep_curt_weldon_r_pa
May 17th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Thanks Mash. Now I’m Really worried!
May 17th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Hey Mash, thanks for another gem! (what would we do without you?)
Going through the informative comments and analysis in the blog it is clear that Global Alliance of Homeland Security – the org represented by Walden, Ringgold et al, is not a government org of U.S., (there is no reason to call the group “delegates”.) but rather an entity that was established by someone named Awal Chowdhury sitting in an apartment in Queens, NY. The same person formed another org named America Bangladesh Friendship Club from the same address.
It was formed in Sep 2006, only a few days after the workshop held by Imam Anwar Hossain (chairman of Prime Bank) on corporate governance, paneled by Farooq Sobhan (as director of BEI), and only a few months before the March visit of Walden.
Imam Anwar Hossain convened the meetings of this party-of-five with BD high officials (including Foreign adviser Iftekhar Chowdhury) in March.
This trip was nothing but a sales-pitch by Global Alliance of Homeland Security on behalf of Defense Solutions Inc., (potentially the subcontractor to receive the job) aiming the army as the prospective client. There are interested-parties in BD who are looking forward to monetary gain by allowing this lobby to make Bangladesh govt agree to a “deal” in the name of national security.
If that should really happen it would be a gross error in judgment.
May 21st, 2007 at 7:01 am
Apparently, Indian media are suggesting that one of the angles being pursued by the police investigating the mosque bomb in Hyderabad is that it was the work of Bangladesh Huji terrorists
June 6th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Check this out!
There are also job possibilities for us “Bongo Bhais & Bons”!
Mr. Curt “Clean” Weldon will certify that Bashundhara is clean!
Hmm!
Bashundhara Group Retains U.S. Firm Defense Solutions for Anti-Corruption Examination
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/6/prweb531010.htm
June 6th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
To read about who is Curt and what he’s up to read the following:
http://www.newagebd.com/2007/jun/02/oped.html
Weldon’s visit to Bangladesh
June 7th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Nice to see Congressmen (current & ex) standing up to protect the livelihoods of 100,000 (hmm?) bangladeshi workers. Albeit at the expense of the rest 140m who obviously don’t count.
More on busy Mr Weldon: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/7878361.html
Then throw in Congressman Joseph Crowley:
http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/05/18/d70518012213.htm
Add ex-congressman Gregory Laughlin:
http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=5/13/2007§ion_id=2&newsid=60971&spcl=no
…I’d say we have enough members to launch the All Bangladesh Congress Party.