Reminiscence of the role of Ambassador Khairul Anam

Mohammad Amjad Hossain :
It is neither exaration that the concept of diplomacy and role of diplomat are not properly evaluated by many political leaders in Bangladesh. Since diplomacy is communicating in foreign relation, it would be fair to analyze the need and objectives of foreign policy of a state. I am planning to write today about Mr. AKM Khairul Anam, retired diplomat from Bangladesh who began his career as a Pakistan diplomat in 1965 and having served in Moscow and Brassel from where he switched over his allegiance to emerging Bangladesh in December in 1971. I would like to quote from the Guardian of London which in fact said that “there is a powerful witness,diplomats are normally among the last people to regine. When it happens it commands attention. “The editorial of Guardian of 9 August1971. A.S.M Khairul Anam switched over his allegiance to Bangladesh in
December as reported by London Times of 21 December in 1971. Possibly he was the last Pakistani diplomat to declare his allegiance in favour of newly emerging Bangladesh.
It seems interesting to note that Ambassador Khairul Anam was the only personality who happened to serve in Brussels three times which was unusual indeed in the history of diplomacy. None has served in one foreign station three times. Incidentally, Khairul Anam had served Brussel during critical time of newly independent Bangladesh when sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with all members of his family was assassinated on 15 August in 1975 except his two daughters including Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana who were on a visit to Brussel and Germany. Mr. Khairul Anam, counselor in Brussel embassy of Bangladesh took two daughter of assassinated Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for a ride in Brussels. According to retired Ambassador late Humayun Choudhury requested Ambassador Sanaul Haque to provide a car to send two daughters of late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Germany from Brussel. Having seen the negative attitude of the Ambassador Sanaul Huq late Humayun Choudhury had to send a car from Germany to bring the daughters of late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Germany as reported by Motiur Rahman chowdhury in his book :Kutniti AndorMahal.
Having served as Joint secretary in the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Bangladesh Mr.Khairul Anam took a bold decision to accord sanction to organize a trade fair for the first time in Moscow as proposed by Bangladesh Ambassador retired Major-General AMSA Amin. As a matter of fact Bangladesh had sanctioned only thirty lakh and the rest was contributed by Bangladeshi expatriate residing in Russia. The Soviet Federation was broken apart in 1991 as a follow up of President Gorbacheb’s perestroika and glasnost policy.President Gorbachev ruled the Soviet federation from 1985 to 1989and reigned in December in 1991.Following the breaking up of the Soviet Union Bangladesh gave $ 15 million loan to Russia.
Mr. Khairul Anam represented the Ministry of foreign affairs to have a meeting with the visiting foreign secretary of the United Kingdom DouglasHurd at Padma guest house sometime in 1993. The British Foreign secretary was on a visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.S. Mustafizur Rahman. This writer was one of the participants in the discussion as Director of the Ministry of Foreign affairs. They discussed different aspects of Bangladesh and United Kingdom relations including climate change and bilateral trade relation and critical food situation.
Having joined as Ambassador in Brussel Khairul Alam took initiative to revive GSP in Bangladesh which was suspended during the rule of BNP in 1991. Ambassador Kharul Anam was possibly an exception to serve three times in one foreign station. Ambassador Khairul Anam was a go-getter type of gentleman who never rests unless an assignment is completed.
This winter remains grateful to Ambassador Khairul Anam for helping me for the issuance of a National ID card in 2019 when this writer was on a visit to Bangladesh.Ambassdor Khairul Anam speaks apart from Bangla, English and French.

(Mohammad Amjad Hossain, retired diplomat from Bangladesh, former joint Director of Central Kachi-Kachar Mela and former President of Nova Toastmaster International Club of America, writes from Falls Church, Virginia.)