Media pursues diplomats to speak on BD’s internal affairs

Staff Reporter :
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has accused of the media of encouraging the foreign diplomats to make comments about the internal affairs of the country.
“Some media are forcing the foreign diplomats to make comments about Bangladesh. Some envoys told me that they don’t know anything about it. Some journalists compel them to reply to their questions,” he said on Tuesday.
The Foreign Minister made the comments in reply to the queries of the journalists after delivering a speech as the Chief Guest of the district literature fair in Sylhet stadium.
“The media of other countries never ask foreigners to make comments about their internal issues. The blame goes to our media. The blame goes to our culture. So the blame goes to all. This culture has to be changed,” he added.
“People of a country know much better about their own country than those of others. Outsiders do not know much about your own family. It is shameful to tell outsiders about your family’s story,” he continued.
He also said that the foreign envoys would abide by the code of conduct of diplomacy while delivering speech in public domain.
“The foreigners come here for some days. They come here to develop bilateral relations. They do not come here to deliver any message,” the Foreign Minister said.
Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki recently in an event “Meet the Ambassador’ in the capital said, “I have heard that in the last election police personnel stuffed the ballot boxes at night before the voting. I have never heard of such an instance in any other country.”
Such comments drew flaks from the government saying that the foreign diplomats should not make comments about the internal issues of Bangladesh.
Regarding the escaping of the two militants from court premises, Foreign Minister said, “It is unfortunate. The law enforcers are carrying out their responsibilities skillfully. It was a mere accident.”
Asked about if such incidents tarnish a country’s image, he said, “Such incidents take place in all countries. It is not a matter that can tarnish an image.”
Regarding the recently concluded BNP’s grand rally in Sylhet, he said, “I have information that they expected the participation of one lakh people. But their hearts have been broken for poor participation.”
“They (BNP) expected they would hold a big movement here. It has not been fulfilled. People are very aware. People will elect Sheikh Hasina again for the development she has made. A stable government is needed for the country’s development,” he observed.