Staff Reporter :
Former US diplomat Jon F. Danilowicz admitted significant missteps in US government policy and the role of the US Embassy in Dhaka during the military-backed caretaker government of the One-Eleven period.
“As a former US diplomat, I fully acknowledge that the United States made major errors in 2007-08. However, neither Ambassador Patricia Butenis nor my colleagues orchestrated One-Eleven.
I do not believe any secret ‘coffee group’ dictated decisions for Bangladesh,” he stated.
Envoy Danilowicz commended the people of Bangladesh for their role in the July-August uprising that led to the removal of Sheikh Hasina from power.
He made these comments during a discussion titled “A New Dawn in Dhaka: Navigating the Dynamics of Bangladesh-US Relations after the Mass Uprising,” organised by the Center for Governance Studies (CGS) at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
“July movement was initiated, led, and ultimately succeeded due to the people of Bangladesh.
They alone deserve credit for ending the previous dictatorship and seizing this fourth opportunity to establish democracy,” Danilowicz remarked.
Former US Ambassador to Bangladesh, William B. Milam, also spoke at the event, which was attended by diplomats, politicians, academics, business leaders, representatives of international organisations, civil society members, journalists, and students.
“At the time, the perspectives of generals and brigadiers were prioritised, while the voices of the Bangladeshi people were overlooked.
We engaged with civil society and political parties, as well as with the caretaker government.
However, we listened more to the military, which may be why democratic progress did not materialise as expected,” he added.
Outlining the mistakes made during the military-backed caretaker government, Danilowicz, who served in Dhaka as a diplomat on three occasions, said, “Our second major mistake was placing excessive focus on the election timeline.”
“Elections are, of course, essential. No government can function without a long-term mandate from the people, and an elected government must fulfil its promises.
At that time, fundamental reforms were necessary, and the caretaker government was advancing a reform agenda.
However, it eventually became evident that their primary goal was merely to hold elections and transfer power,” he explained.
He continued, “As a result, the caretaker government lost influence over political parties.
Negotiations were conducted in secrecy, and we were unaware of the conditions under which the former prime minister had reached a settlement with the caretaker government. The United States was not involved in that agreement.
At the time, we assumed that Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League had learned from the past and were committed to democratic progress.”
Danilowicz admitted that these assumptions were incorrect. “History proved us wrong.
The information we were given did not reflect reality. We witnessed the gradual erosion of the democratic process, culminating in the 2024 election.”
When asked whether the Awami League should participate in the next election, Danilowicz responded that the decision lies solely with the people of Bangladesh.
“This is a question that only Bangladeshis can answer. I acknowledge that it is the country’s most difficult challenge at present,” he said.
Addressing the issue of accountability, he stressed that elections alone do not ensure responsibility.
“The International Crimes Tribunal and legal mechanisms also play a crucial role in holding individuals accountable,” he noted.
Danilowicz acknowledged past failures in US policy towards Bangladesh, particularly during the One-Eleven political crisis, admitting that Washington had not done enough to push for institutional reforms.
However, he expressed optimism that Bangladesh’s interim government is learning from past mistakes, with strong public support.
Regarding US policy towards Bangladesh, Danilowicz reiterated that American policy has remained consistent since 1971.
He identified the absence of accountability within ruling parties as one of the country’s most significant political challenges.
“A strong relationship between the military and civilian government is crucial for democracy. Authoritarian rule is never beneficial for democratic governance,” he stated.
He also addressed the increasing issue of misinformation in Bangladesh, referring to it as “information warfare.”
He dismissed former US President Donald Trump’s allegation that Washington was funding specific individuals in Bangladesh, describing it as a false narrative promoted by groups aiming to damage bilateral relations.
Similarly, he rejected former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s claims that the US military was planning operations on Saint Martin’s Island, labelling such rumours as baseless and politically motivated.
Danilowicz emphasised that the United States and the European Union should align their financial aid with Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic reforms.
He also urged Bangladesh to recover assets that had been illegally transferred abroad over the past 17 years and reinvest them into governance improvements.
Meanwhile, former US Ambassador William B. Milam highlighted ongoing efforts in the United States to raise awareness about Bangladesh’s democratic progress.
