Ambassador Chowdhury in an interview with The New Nation expressed his happiness and thanks to the Government of Bangladesh for the recognition of Kosovo. In this context he lauded the role of Bangldesh Kosovo Forum (BKF) particularly its Secretary General Prof Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Zillur Rahman of Tritiyo Matra fame (Channel i) and others for their tiring efforts which contributed significantly to the recognition of Kosovo. He feels that BKF should continue to play an active role for building cooperative and friendly relationship between Bangladesh and Kosovo. In a quiet evening at his office, Ambassador Rashed along with Prof Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah the Secretary General of BKF who is also the Pro Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) touched on the potential and possible direction of relationship between the two countries including establishment of diplomatic relationship which should open up prospects for mutually beneficial relationship in political, economic, trade, cultural and other areas.
First we asked Ambassador Rashed, about his personal feelings following recognition of Kosovo by Bangladesh. Ambassador Chowdhury said that while posted in Kosovo he dreamt that Kosovo would one day become an independent state with strong bond of friendship with Bangladesh as Kosovo and their peoples achieved freedom and independence through long political struggle backed by bloody war of independence through untold sufferings, sacrifices, toil and tears of their brave masses.
NN: How do you evaluate the government’s policy in recognition of Kosovo?
Ambassador Cowdhury: The recognition of Kosovo by Bangladesh is a positive development. I would like to thank the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and her Government and the peoples for giving Republic of Kosovo official recognition. This would pave the way for building a strong ties of friendship between the two countries, the governments and the peoples. We should now follow a two track diplomacy involving Government to Government and People to People relationship of the two countries. This is an age of public diplomacy Pro-active private initiatives are needed to backup the governmental efforts including interaction at all levels involving business, cultural, media and intellectual exchanges among others.
NN: We know that you are a career diplomat and former Bangladesh ambassador to Japan. As you know Kosovo was a special assignment to you. Can you please tell us your experience as the UN Regional administrator to resolve the Kosovo conflict?
Ambassador Chowdhury: I was fortunate to be able to make my modest contribution to the process of peaceful resolution of the Kosovo crisis. As the Regional Administrator of Mitrovica I sustained the process of direct negotiations initiated by my predecessor David Mitchels involving the elected presidents of three Albanian municipalities in the south of Mitrovica region and three presidents of the Serbian municipalities in the north of Mitrovica.
Mitrovica was characterised by a de facto partition between the Kosovo Albanians in the South and the Kosovo Serbians in the North separated by the river Ibar and connected by a bridge on the river. The bloody Kosovo conflict started from this region. Even after the conflict was over there were frequent interethnic clashes on the bridge between the two ethnic groups. The agonising negotiations and dialogue took place in the UN Regional head quarters in Mitrovica and lasted for months.
This painstaking process of dialogue and negotiations between Kosovo Albanians and the Serbian leadership in Mitrovica region significantly contributed to the eventual resolution of the complex issue of the status of Kosovo. Kosovo eventually declared its independence through a vote of the parliament on February 17, 2008.
NN: What is the thinking of the Kosovans after getting independence?
Ambassador Chowdhury: The Kosovans are committed to built a democratic multi religious and multi cultural nation which would become a model of peace and progress for the rest of the countries in the Balkans given its troubled past history of conflicts and wars. Apart from the Trepca mine and fertile agricultural land Kosovo does not have much material resources. However it is rich in human resources; the people are hard working, brave, energetic and enterprising. Particularly Kosovo is fortunate that its population characterized by overwhelming young, dynamic, forward looking people with modern outlook; they constitute the bedrock for a developed and progressive Kosovo. Currently their emphasis is on revamping their education sector to lay the foundation of an enlightened society, among other priorities. When I asked a gathering of young people as to what kind of University they want to have. They said that, they want first class English medium Universities along with Albanian ones so that they can integrate with modern world and become competitive.
NN: What can we learn from the Kosovo lesson?
Ambassador Chowdhury: Of the lessons learnt from UN experience in Kosovo is that there is no durable military solution to essentially political, religious, sectarian ethnic and such conflicts. It is time for the world to opt for patient negotiations and diplomacy. The outcome achieved through such peaceful means are generally more lasting as violence, conflicts and wars create perpetual hatred in the hearts and minds of the people.
It is said ‘If war begins in the hearts and minds of the people, it is in their hearts that defenses of peace should be built.’ In the ultimate analysis nations and peoples cutting across geographical boundaries and all forms of divides and differences will have to work collectively to find non-violent resolutions to all problems, conflicts afflicting humanity to achieve peace and development, banish the scourge of poverty, illiteracy and to overcome man-made and natural disasters.
As the interview was progressing, Prof Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Pro Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) and also the Secretary General of BKF joined Ambassador Chowdhury and expressed his valuable opinions on the issues regarding Bangladesh-Kosovo relation.
NN; Sir, could you please tell us the background of your interest about Kosovo?
Dr Kalimullah: Kosovo is one of the dream destinations for me, not just for now, but it stimulated me from the very beginning of my study in Europe. When I was in London, I thought where Europe begins and where it ends. How does it look like as I see the sun rising in Europe from Kosovo. And finally that happened. Kosovo became independent. It is the third Muslim majority country in Europe with secular views in state policy. That is why we have a sort of shared identity with Kosovo. With shared mindset, religious background and social structure of Kosovo in many ways resembles Bangladesh.
NN: What are the impacts of the recent recognition of Kosovo by Bangladesh?
Dr Kalimullah: The recognition of Kosovo by Bangladesh would be mutually beneficial. Politically, the vision of two countries is more or less identical. Both Bangladesh and Kosovo are Muslim majority countries with secular orientations. About 90 per cent of the Kosovo people are Muslims but they are secular and tolerant like Bangladeshis. They are more proud of their Albanian culture than their religion, which they consider as a personal matter. They are a culturally rich nation. Music, dance, art, literature, painting etc. are part of their life like Bangladeshis. Kosovo is an excellent example of multi cultural, religious, tolerant, and democratic society in the heart of Europe. This is significant. Bangladesh is also multi cultural, religious, tolerant, democratic, and secular state. Hence two Muslim majority tolerant democratic and secular states would have favorable impact on other emerging nations with Muslim majority populations.
NN: Can we have some economic gains from Kosovo?
Dr Kalimullah: A war ravaged economy needs everything to rebuild their economy for development. Kosovo is seeking economic cooperation involving joint venture projects, investments, banking and need help in agriculture sector etc. Kosovans see Bangladesh as model of war ravaged country, which has achieved remarkable development since its independence. Kosovo can, therefore, be a promising destination for our businessmen and Private sector investments in particular as the price of goods in Europe are increasingly becoming costlier. Bangladesh would need to tap the opportunity in Kosovo given its needs.
Thank you Ambassador Rashed Ahmed Chowdhury, thank you Dr Kalimullah for giving us your most valuable time with The New Nation. n
(The Interview was taken by Farrukh Khosru)
