Diplomatic Correspondent :
Former US President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday (US local time), announced his foundation the Carter Center. A long term friend of Bangladesh, Carter served as the 39th president from 1977 until 1981.
He was aged 100, making him the longest-lived president in US history.
Jimmy Carter invited the then President of Bangladesh Ziaur Rahman, first Bangladeshi President to the White House as a president’s guest.
Zia visited Carter at the Oval Office on August 27, 1980. They had a tete-a-tete 20-minute-long meeting at that time.
In his speech while receiving Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Carter said, “It’s a great pleasure for me this afternoon to welcome to the White House and to our Nation, President Ziaur, the very fine leader of Bangladesh. Since their war of independence in 1971, tremendous progress has been made under his leadership.
And with the courage and determination of the people of his great country, with a population of about 90 million, and with tremendous opportunities for economic improvement, President Ziaur has been in the forefront of making the lives of the Bangladesh citizens better each year.”
“We also had a chance to discuss the advantages of democratization of the Bangladesh political system.
The open and free election process which resulted in the election of President Ziaur has been an inspiration to the world. Also we have been very grateful at the leadership that President Ziaur has played personally, not only among the Moslem nations and the community there but indeed throughout the entire world community,” he added.
Expressing gratefulness, Ziaur Rahman said, “… the people of our country are to the people of your great country for the moral support that was rendered to us, in fact, support in all possible manner.
Those were rendered to us during our war of independence in 1971, and the massive economic aid that we received from you, from your great country thereafter to meet the many necessities, which otherwise would have, if not met, would have created tremendous problems for us.”
After meeting with key officials of Carter’s cabinet, he escorted Zia to the South Grounds of the White House premises where they exchanged remarks in the presence of the press and addressed each other.
Meanwhile, Chief Adviser to the Interim Government Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday stated that the former US President Jimmy Carter was a true friend of Bangladesh.
“With profound sadness, I write to extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing away of Nobel Laureate President Jimmy Carter, a remarkable leader, a champion of human rights, and a tireless advocate for peace and democracy across the globe,” he wrote a heartfelt condolence message sent to US President Joe Biden.
During Presidential tenure of Carter and beyond, Prof Yunus said, the Bangladesh-US relationship was strengthened and broadened in multifarious arenas.
Prof Yunus also remembered Carter’s immense contribution, particularly in field of empowering women, good governance and advancing democracy through his Carter Center, bear the testimony of his love and passion for Bangladeshi people.
“We fondly recall his visit to Bangladesh in 1986 and that was a source of great inspiration for our people,” the Chief Adviser said.
He said President Carter was not only an iconic figure in the United States and global politics but also a cherished friend of mine.
“Over the years, I had the distinct honor of meeting him on numerous occasions at the gatherings of Nobel Laureates. His unwavering commitment to human rights and social justice always encouraged me,” he said.
Recalling their close relation he said that their conversations were marked by his deep humility, wisdom, and firm belief in the empowerment of people, while there is no doubt that his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Bangladesh, I express our deepest condolences to the people of the United States and particularly to the bereaved family of President Carter. We also pray for the salvation of his departed soul,” he added.
Meanwhile, US Embassy in Dhaka on its twitter handle wrote, “The nation will miss President Jimmy Carter dearly, and it’s up to each of us to carry on his legacy.”
Mentioning a quote of Jimmy Carter, the US Embassy Dhaka uploaded a photo with the quote “America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, it is the other way round. Human rights invented America.”
