Bernicat remark draws MPs’ unwitting ire

Parliament yesterday witnessed a heated debate between two groups of ruling Awami League MPs over the recent remark of the US ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat and absence of most members of the cabinet from parliament, reports UNB. Standing during an unscheduled discussion, veteran AL lawmaker Suranjit Sengupta initiated the debate at around 8pm protesting the remark made on Wednesday by US Ambassador Marcia S. Bernicat that the US ‘does not want’ to occupy Bangladesh.
"It was not decent to make such a statement. It has gone beyond diplomatic norms. We hope that the Foreign Minister or the Foreign Ministry would issue a strong note of objection in this regard," he said. Turning his attention to the absent ministers, Suranjit said it was as if they fled following what he called ‘the threat’ issued by the top US diplomat.
"If the parliament sessions are to continue in this way, better not bother. Otherwise please ensure the presence of at least one front-bench minister in each session,” Suranjit said.
Not that he spared those who were present. Pointing at one of them, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, the Workers Party boss, Suranjit said, "Mr Menon is looking at me. But he is the bhejailla (contaminated) minister. It looks very odd."
Later AL MPs Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Hasan Mahmud also protested Bernicat's remarks, but Chief Whip ASM Feroz defended the remarks while two AL MPs Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Shamim Osman demanded Suranjit's remarks regarding the ministers and Menon be expunged  from the proceedings of the House.
Drawing attention to Suranjit, Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah  said, "There were ministers in front of you, behind you and beside you. So you can't say that ministers are absent."
About the remark of US diplomat, Fazle Rabbi said he would ask the Foreign Minister to make a statement in this regard at his convenient time.
Sheikh Selim said “Bangladesh is a small country, but we have dignity.” He questioned how a US diplomat having the status of just an assistant secretary could make such a ‘threat’ to occupy Bangladesh, even though Ambassador Bernicat’s reported remarks indicate the exact opposite.

 

Bernicat remark draws MPs unwitting ire

Parliament yesterday witnessed a heated debate between two groups of ruling Awami League MPs over the recent remark of the US ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat and absence of most members of the cabinet from parliament, reports UNB. Standing during an unscheduled discussion, veteran AL lawmaker Suranjit Sengupta initiated the debate at around 8pm protesting the remark made on Wednesday by US Ambassador Marcia S. Bernicat that the US does not want to occupy Bangladesh. It was not decent to make such a statement. It has gone beyond diplomatic norms. We hope that the Foreign Minister or the Foreign Ministry would issue a strong note of objection in this regard, he said. Turning his attention to the absent ministers, Suranjit said it was as if they fled following what he called the threat issued by the top US diplomat. If the parliament sessions are to continue in this way, better not bother. Otherwise please ensure the presence of at least one front-bench minister in each session, Suranjit said. Not that he spared those who were present. Pointing at one of them, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, the Workers Party boss, Suranjit said, Mr Menon is looking at me. But he is the bhejailla (contaminated) minister. It looks very odd. Later AL MPs Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Hasan Mahmud also protested Bernicats remarks, but Chief Whip ASM Feroz defended the remarks while two AL MPs Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Shamim Osman demanded Suranjits remarks regarding the ministers and Menon be expunged from the proceedings of the House. Drawing attention to Suranjit, Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah said, There were ministers in front of you, behind you and beside you. So you cant say that ministers are absent. About the remark of US diplomat, Fazle Rabbi said he would ask the Foreign Minister to make a statement in this regard at his convenient time. Sheikh Selim said Bangladesh is a small country, but we have dignity. He questioned how a US diplomat having the status of just an assistant secretary could make such a threat to occupy Bangladesh, even though Ambassador Bernicats reported remarks indicate the exact opposite.