Uphold reputation in UN peacekeeping missions, PM asks armed forces

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today directed the Bangladesh Armed Forces to uphold their reputation in the UN peacekeeping missions as she warned that her government won't allow any "deviation" in this regard, reports the BSS.

 

"We are still a leading peacekeeper contributor of the UN peacekeeping missions ... we won't tolerate any kind of indulgence from our peacekeepers that taints the goodwill of our armed forces," she said.

 

"We want that the reputation of our armed forces be retained ... we want who wherever are working would perform their responsibilities by maintaining dignity. We don't want that the name and fame of the armed forces be 'questionable'," she added.

 

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the graduation ceremony of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) Course 2015-16 at Mirpur Cantonment here this morning.

 

DSCSC Commandant Major General Sajjadul Haque delivered the welcome address at the function.

 

Ministers, the leader of the opposition, the chiefs of the three services, parliament members, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

 

Describing the armed forces as a "symbol" of the country's independence and sovereignty, the Premier also asked the members of the armed forces to be "constantly ready" for making any sacrifice for safeguarding independence and sovereignty.

 

"You will have to always keep prepare yourselves to face any kind of challenge and give leadership .... you will have to finish your work with self confidence and to be always ready for making any sacrifice for protecting independence and sovereignty," she said.

 

Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman presented independence and sovereignty to the nation.

 

"In the absence of Bangabandhu, we have to follow the path of prosperity showed by him to achieve economic emancipation. For that our armed forces have to be ready to face any kind of challenge with farsightedness in the battle of financial liberty," she said.

 

The Premier said alongside the noble responsibility for safeguarding independence and sovereignty, the members of the patriotic armed forces are making significant contributions to the fields of natural calamities like Sidr and Aila.

 

Sheikh Hasina said they have stood beside the people even risking their lives while tackling "manmade disasters" like Tazrin Fashion and Rana Plaza incidents.

 

"They are showing their capability of observing special development activities and massive infrastructure construction ... our armed forces act as aides of civil administration in different purposes including maintaining law and order situation," the PM said.

 

Not only in the country, she said, the members of the armed forces have also earned name and fame in foreign countries through their honesty, dedication and professional efficiency.

 

The Premier said Bangladesh armed forces are contributing significantly to restoration of democracy, social development, health and education in different countries under the emblem of UN missions.

 

"Their success has further brightened the image of Bangladesh," she said.

 

As per UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon, she said, Bangladesh is now holding the leading role of delivering UN peacekeepers at ongoing peacekeeping missions in various countries. "Bangladesh is considered as the top peacekeepers contributing country."

 

Sheikh Hasina said at present 8,501 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have been working in 11 missions of the world out of 16 ongoing UN peacekeeping missions.