South Asian Security: A U.S. Perspective

Released by the U.S. Embassy - Dhaka

Thank you Ambassador Osmany and General Mubeen for your welcome, and thanks to BIISS for inviting me to speak today about developments in South Asia and U.S. policy toward this important region of the world. It is a pleasure to be here today and I welcome the opportunity to exchange ideas with you on the unique challenges and opportunities in the South Asian region. The United States intends to remain fully engaged in South Asia, and we look forward to working with Bangladesh to reach shared goals.
 
What I would like to do this afternoon is to briefly touch on some of the main issues in South Asia from a U.S. perspective. My comments, of course, reflect U.S. policy and will be familiar to those of you who follow statements by Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca and others who deal regularly with South Asian issues. And I will also make some specific observations about U.S. policy toward Bangladesh.
 
In recent years South Asia has often been in the headlines in the United States, both as a focus of the war on terrorism, and because of periodic crises between India and Pakistan. This is, frankly, something of a change from the decades of the Cold War, when South Asia was not normally at the top of our foreign policy agenda. Today I would like to discuss with you our broad policy concerns in South Asia, and how those concerns relate to the “headline” issues of the war on terrorism and tensions between India and Pakistan.
 
South Asia is home to 22% of the world’s people. That fact alone makes it an important foreign policy focus for the United States. But I think it is fair to say that the political and economic ties within the region and between the region and the rest of the world do not yet reflect this demographic weight. The percentage of people in South Asia who live in poverty is also very high; and yet outside development assistance to South Asia, on a per capita basis, is only about one third of what it is for Africa.
 
The presence of nuclear weapons in South Asia is of course, one of the “headline” issues I referred to earlier. South Asia is a region that is also facing other, less publicized challenges such as HIV/AIDS, which is spreading in parts of the region, and long-standing scourges like tuberculosis and malaria.
 
Trafficking in persons is another serious problem, and one that must be looked at in the regional context, as traffickers do not respect borders or national boundaries.
 
Counter terrorism
 
Against this backdrop of challenges South Asia is facing, the events of September 11, 2001 made counter terrorism a new key factor for U.S. policy in South Asia – and elsewhere in the world. Of course we were aware of the problem of terrorism before September 11 but those terrible attacks sharpened our focus and put South Asia on the counter-terrorism map, as it were. Counter-terrorism, frankly, is bound to remain a focus of U.S. South Asia policy for the foreseeable future, until we and our friends and allies here can be sure that terrorists can no longer target innocent civilians and open societies. As President Bush has made clear many times, the U.S. is committed to this goal, and is in this fight for the long haul.
I want to make clear that the U.S. understands that the threat of terrorism must be combated in different ways if it is to be rooted out. As National Security Adviser Dr. Condoleezza Rice said in a recent speech:
 
“The war on terror is as much a war of ideas as a war of force. To win the broader war, we must win this war of ideas by appealing to the just aspirations and decent hopes of people throughout the world -- giving them cause to hope for a better life and a brighter future, and reason to reject the false and destructive comforts of bitterness, grievance and hate. Terror grows in the absence of progress and development. It thrives in the airless space where new ideas, new hopes and new aspirations are forbidden.”
 
The U.S.’s goal in South Asia is to ensure that progress and development can continue, so that the “airless space” Dr. Rice describes cannot serve as an incubator of hatred and terror.

India-Pakistan
 
Beyond counter-terrorism, the other “headline” issue is of course the tension between India and Pakistan, primarily over Kashmir. The encouraging progress in South Asia toward prosperity and democracy is too often overshadowed by the specter of war between these two countries, now both possessing nuclear weapons. The U.S. continues to discuss with both India and Pakistan ways to minimize the risks that nuclear weapons might actually be used, and steps they can take to bring the arms race in South Asia to the earliest possible close. We continue to urge India and Pakistan to help prevent the spread of technologies that could assist WMD/missile programs in other regions of the world.

India
 
Let me provide a description of developments in our relationships with the individual countries of South Asia, starting with India.
Home to more than 1 billion people, India is naturally an important player in world affairs. From the start of his Administration, President Bush has sought to transform the U.S. relationship with India, to engage on a wide range of issues. From counter-terrorism, to security, climate change, commerce, strengthening democracy and fighting HIV, we are looking to India as a partner. I see this not so much as a startling development but rather as the correction of the anomaly of the Cold War years, during which the relationship between the U.S. and India was unnaturally limited. We are now, in a way, making up for lost time in a way, as we build the kind of ties that two of the world’s large democracies ought to have had all along but for the constraints of the bipolar world we lived in for four decades.
 
Along with new areas of cooperation, nonproliferation remains an important item on our bilateral agenda, which we hope to address through cooperation and mutual understanding. We are confident that the Indian government shares our concerns about preventing the spread of sensitive technologies since the diffusion of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and missiles could pose such a serious threat to the security of all countries in the region and the world.
 
U.S.-India counter-terrorism cooperation is rapidly maturing and has contributed to the arrest of terrorists around the world.
 
On broader law enforcement issues, we signed a new bilateral treaty last October providing for mutual legal assistance and cooperation that makes it easier for American and Indian law enforcement agencies to assist each other in investigating international crime. And the United States and India have a new extradition treaty containing modern, updated provisions.
 
An area of great potential for Indo-U.S. relations is in trade and commercial cooperation. India’s economy has expanded rapidly since reforms in the early 1990s. Exports to the U.S. have more than doubled since 1995. But our view is that this commercial relationship is growing too slowly. We are looking to New Delhi to continue to pursue important second-generation economic reforms.
 
Pakistan
 
Now the U.S. also maintains a close relationship with Pakistan. In Pakistan, of course, counter-terrorism tops our bilateral agenda. Pakistan authorities are working closely with U.S. agencies in tracking and capturing remaining al Qaida elements that have fled Afghanistan to Pakistan. Pakistani police have made numerous arrests of al Qaida and other extremists throughout their country, as I know all of you have read frequently in the press.
 
President Musharraf’s government recognizes that extremism feeds on economic and social dislocation. It is taking positive actions on economic and social reform and has in fact completed an IMF program. USAID has also begun implementing programs to improve basic education in Pakistan and to support President Musharraf’s educational reforms.
 
The U.S., of course, supports Islamabad in its efforts to root out extremism and to promote economic, social, and political reform.
 
It is in our national interest, and I think in the interest of all of Pakistan’s neighbors, for Pakistan to develop into a more stable, prosperous, and better-educated society. We view the restoration of democracy and civilian rule within a constitutional framework as crucial to long-term stability in Pakistan.
 
Afghanistan
 
Now I would like to turn to Afghanistan which, of course, has been much on our mind in the last few years and beyond. Long a source of instability in the region and beyond, Afghanistan is now moving toward stability and peace – slowly and haltingly at times, but the direction is clear.
 
But much remains to be done. Continuing instability and violence are constant reminders of this. We and the rest of the international community must remain fully committed to Afghanistan’s security, political stability, and socio-economic recovery from a quarter century of war. The International Security Assistance Force in Kabul is helping the Afghans consolidate a lasting peace, and NATO’s recent commitment to that force will help bolster its capabilities. We also intend to continue assistance for reconstruction and recovery; and promote respect for human rights by working with new Afghan groups that are trying to recreate a culture of tolerance and respect for all Afghans, including women. We are also working with the Afghans to eradicate opium poppy. Bangladesh’s role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction has been an important one; the contribution by the government and civil society is particularly appropriate and welcome.
 
Nepal
 
Nepal continues to confront a violent Maoist insurgency which has left thousands dead. The Maoists have shown themselves to be a ruthless enemy by their tactics in the field and through terrorist attacks against both government and innocent civilian targets. U.S. programs in Nepal are intended to facilitate the government’s efforts both to restore security and to focus on development and poverty eradication.
While fighting terror, Nepal’s citizens must simultaneously plan for the future. They must continue to hold their officials accountable for good governance, ending corruption, and finding the common ground on which they can begin rebuilding what the Maoists are seeking to destroy. The U.S. will assist in that reconstruction by continuing to aid Nepal’s economic development. Peace is needed to provide the space in which Nepal can diversify its economy, attract foreign investment, and seek sustainable and environmentally sound ways to tap the potential of its natural resources.
 
Sri Lanka
 
We are watching developments in Sri Lanka very closely and hope that talks between rebels and the government will eventually bring to an end the bitter ethnic conflict that has plagued this small country for nearly two decades. What a shame it is that the country with the highest per capita GDP in South Asia should have suffered this civil violence for so long!
 
The Norwegian government has played a key role in bringing the two sides in the Sri Lankan conflict together, and we wish them every success in their efforts toward peace. A negotiated political settlement to this conflict would be the best demonstration that negotiation — not violence — provides the most effective means for dealing with contentious issues that divide and separate peoples throughout the world. We will continue to urge a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Sri Lanka.
 
Bangladesh
 
Now let me turn to the country closest to me, both literally and figuratively, Bangladesh.
Secretary of State Powell’s recent visit was a very tangible affirmation of the strength of our bilateral relationship. As the Secretary said when he was here: “Bangladesh’s democracy, Bangladesh’s economic progress, Bangladesh’s friendship and the Bangladeshi people all matter to us.” And, after three years here, I could not agree more.
 
As I conclude three years here, I look back on many positive developments. But I must be frank and say that there are also many areas where the people of Bangladesh deserve better.
 
The United States has demonstrated and will continue to demonstrate our concern for Bangladesh’s economic development. Our development assistance has made a significant impact in the 30-plus years of Bangladesh’s independence. During that period, Bangladesh has halved its birth rate and infant and child mortality rates, and has become nearly self-sufficient in food production. It has virtually eliminated polio through child vaccination programs, a considerable achievement compared to the high rates of new cases seen just 15 years ago. Bangladesh has also made impressive strides in women’s empowerment through education and employment. Micro-credit was invented in Bangladesh and the rural electrification program here could and has served as a model for other countries. These are just a few of the achievements your country can be proud of in its relatively short life.
 
Trade and investment are now recognized as the keys to economic development and in these spheres, too, the United States has shown its commitment to Bangladesh: The United States is the largest foreign investor in this economy, and we have consistently given Bangladesh higher allocations for garment exports, enabling your garment industry to develop from virtually nothing to a multi-billion dollar export business. As I think most of you know, the U.S. receives one half of all exports from Bangladesh’s garment industry and one third of all Bangladesh exports in general. More importantly, entrepreneurs are looking to the future and exploring new areas of growth. One in particular is information technology, where Bangladeshi firms are competing for and winning contracts with U.S. and other international firms. Thousands of Bangladeshis live, work and study in the United States, enriching both of our economies and cultures and this should not be overlooked.
 
At a speech earlier today to the American Chamber of Commerce I described what I saw as the important factors for sustaining and improving our economic and commercial relationship, so I will not go into detail about that here. What I want to focus on in the time remaining to me is the topic of security, as is appropriate at the Bangladesh International Institute for Strategic Studies (BIISS).
 
The United States appreciates Bangladesh’s support in the war against terrorism, and I want to reiterate
Secretary Powell’s thanks in that regard. Speaking personally, I am grateful to the previous government, the caretaker government and current government for their unhesitating cooperation on issues regarding the safety of American citizens over the past few turbulent years. Although many American Embassies around the world have had to draw down or evacuate staff since September 11 or during the Iraq war, I am grateful that we in Dhaka have not seen the need to do so.
 
We look forward to further work and cooperation with Bangladesh on security issues: we seek to improve police professionalism and raise skills through various training programs, some of which are underway and some of which will be starting in a few months. We hope to assist your government to improve the security of the Bangladesh passports in the coming months as well. And our military to military engagement is steadily increasing, with U.S. and Bangladeshi soldiers, sailors and airmen regularly exercising together on peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance operations. The reputation of Bangladesh’s military has grown internationally with participation in peacekeeping operations in some very tough spots, and U.S. military forces value the opportunity to work with their Bangladeshi counterparts to learn and to teach.
 
And while I am on the subject of military cooperation, let me go on the record to lay to rest – I hope for good – a canard that continues on occasion to circulate in the press. The United States has no plan, no requirement, and no desire for a military base on St. Martin’s Island, Chittagong or anywhere else in Bangladesh. Stories to the contrary are nonsense.
 
When I look at security in the broad context, I see several key challenges ahead for Bangladesh:
 
-- Bangladesh’s well-known commitment to countering terrorism can be visibly demonstrated by prompt ratification of all United Nations anti-terrorism conventions. There are 12. Bangladesh has ratified three, but there are still nine left that could be ratified.
 
-- Government must continue to be vigilant in ensuring that Bangladesh’s banking system does not become a haven for money launderers and those who would finance terrorism. New anti-money laundering legislation is in place, but resources are necessary to ensure that it is properly enforced.
 
-- The culture of political violence must be addressed. When combined with corruption this culture can spawn a lack of respect for the rights of citizens and the rule of law which can only have a negative impact on the security of individuals and of Bangladesh as a whole.
 
-- I also want to reiterate that we do not understand or condone the continuing use of hartals as a means of venting political grievances. While hartals arguably had a place in the days before independence and democracy, as an expression of popular feeling, they now seem to be an anachronism and gratuitously harm the economy and the country’s image abroad. The fact is that hartals usually have to be enforced and compliance coerced, which is not fitting in a democratic society.
 
-- Finally, universities need to be separated from politics. So-called “session jam” should be done away with. Students enrolled in the universities of this country and who pursue their studies with diligence have a right to plan their future and a right to know when they will be able to graduate. The many bright young people of this country deserve that consideration.
 
-- Returning to the South Asian security context, I believe Bangladesh and its neighbors need to work seriously together to address regional challenges, from cross-border terrorism to HIV/AIDS and water issues. Confidence among neighbors is essential to improving the overall security of the region and that will have added benefits in terms of heightened trade and investment. This is particularly true in making any comparison with countries participating in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the European Union, which derive a benefit from their increased cooperation.
 
Conclusion
 
In conclusion, let me say that it is clear that South Asia has become a major focal point of American foreign policy. This is for reasons that go well beyond our immediate concerns related to terrorism and proliferation. Our bilateral engagement with all the countries of the region will continue to grow as they continue to grow and develop. A large part of our agenda will be to support the efforts of the nations of the region to improve standards of living and strengthen democratic institutions and to work together to improve the outlook for the whole subcontinent. The U.S. will remain committed to a better future for Bangladesh and for all of South Asia.
 
(end text)