thanks to shonpapri for providing this eye witness account of the evening at the Asia Society in New York.

About 50 AL activists outside shouting for SH’s release. They clench
their fists and shout Joy Bangla each time someone photographs them.

Interestingly no BNP. Mainly professional New York based
professional crowd inside event itself.

Asia Society President (Visakha Desai): “BD is lucky to have you at
this critical juncture. People don’t realize that BD is doing so much
better than other countries in its neighbourhood … Nepal, Myanmar
and Pakistan …They don’t realize that you came in legally as
permitted by the constitution”. She also points out that he is the
second VIP to visit in Asia Society in a couple of days, the other
being Thailand’s leader.

Fakhruddin reads a prepared speech, very academic (keeps talking about
rent seeking as what was destroying Bangladesh before it is clear to
most that he is talking about corruption). Probably recycling what was
prepared for US think tanks and policy makers and not adapting it for
South Asian/BD audience. Outlines why it was essential for his
administration to save the nation because of unbearable status quo
affecting economic growth and impeding BD peoples’ unquenchable thirst
for development, progress etc. Kept re-iterating that elections will
be held by Dec 2008 no matter what.

FA referred to BD having dynamic NGO community, highly energetic and
free press that has no censorship and restrictions, and vibrant
intellectual community all facilitating open exchange of ideas. Soft
murmurs and groans throughout the audience at this point. Likewise
when he refers to a “minor disturbance at the university recently
which got out of hand when vested interests intervened despite the
great restraint shown by govt and army”

BD will never tolerate fanaticism. In fact, his govt is now appealing
to Imams to get involved in spreading message that terror and Islam
are not compatible and especially so in BD. Also, Fakhruddin’s govt is
apaarently responsible in some part at least for declining infant
mortality, rising female employment, etc. Seems a stretch to claim this
in 8 months, more likely follow-through of previous policy.

Fakhruddin was v impressive during Q&A. Skillfully avoided parts of
questions or entire questions and answering his own. Questions
included “As a 2nd generation BD, I’m so impressed that you left
America to go back, what advice would you give us who are thinking of
doing the same”. Followed by AL activist asking “I don’t understand
what is minus two, can you please explain it?” His reply “I don’t
understand it either” (howls of laughter - Fakhruddin won me over at
that point by his speed of response if nothing else). Then standard
questions about NRB voting rights etc.

American think tank representative challenges FA on his statements
about press freedom and mentions Arifur Rahman. Whole room goes
silent. FA’s response (after awkward pause - only time he showed
discomfort the whole evening): “You don’t realize that things could be
a lot worse. We would have been within our rights to have much tighter
controls on media, not that we have any controls at all - press is
totally free. I understand that “some journalist may have been
apprehended” and often this is for his own protection. But this is
nothing that would not have happened at another time as well”.

There was a harsh silence after his response. That was one of the last
questions and the American was surrounded by grateful BDs as the event closed
thanking her for asking the qn. I wonder if they were scared to do the
same, but it was clear that she represented the thoughts of a large #
of the audience