US general praises Bangladesh Army for leadership in UN peacekeeping

A US general has praised the Bangladesh Army for its leadership and extensive participation in the UN peacekeeping missions.

7,000 Bangladeshi troops and police personnel in UN peacekeeping missions around the world are providing security as well as assistance in the areas such as medical care and engineering expertise, Lt Gen Daniel R Hokanson, the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau of USA, said.

The international community praised Bangladesh military for its impressive achievements since its very founding, he added while speaking as the guest of honour at the 47th Armed Forces Day reception at Bangabandhu Auditorium of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, DC yesterday, according to a release issued by the embassy.

Maj Gen AC Roper, the deputy chief of Army Reserve of USA, attended the event from Pentagon as special guest.

Lt Gen Hokanson said that Bangladesh deserves high praise for its generous humanitarian efforts and providing shelter to one million Rohingya refugees.

The US general also appreciated Bangladesh’s strong support to security cooperation relationship between Bangladesh army and the US National Guard that began in 2008.

He said working together, learning from each other and sharing resources, the two forces have become stronger together to address challenges posed by increasing conflicts in regions and global security environment.

“Our security cooperation has also deepened our understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries,” he said.

Lt Gen Hokanson also lauded the Bangladesh army’s impressive contribution to defense and security not only of Bangladesh but also the international community.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Mohammad Ziauddin and Defense Attaché Brig Gen Moinul Hassan also spoke on the occasion.

Bangladesh is proud of its Armed Forces. Their sacrifices and contributions during Bangladesh’s Liberation War have been invaluable, said Ambassador Ziauddin.

Besides, in times of natural and manmade calamities, they have become indispensable for their human services, he said.

The ambassador mentioned that the Bangladesh Armed Forces are also involved in internal and external security, countering terrorism and extremism, combatting smuggling and human and drug trafficking.

On Bangladesh-US cooperation, Ambassador Ziauddin appreciated the US for its technical assistance in setting up Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) and making it a globally reputed institute for training UN peacekeepers.

He also mentioned the installation of automated identification system to enhance the capacity of the maritime security of Bangladesh. US Navy Staff Talk is planned to be held next year, he added.

Defense Attaché of the Embassy Brig Gen Moinul Hassan delivered the welcome address.

Ambassador, senior officials from Pentagon, Department of State and other US organisations, members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, Bangladeshi diaspora and officials of the embassy attended the event.

Source: thedailystar