June 05, 2007

The first UN-backed coup?

Cross-posted on Drishtipat. Interesting discussion taking off there

(Update below)

Keep Me Honest has reproduced a Wall Street Journal article on Bangladesh which is definitely worth a read.

While we have all heard about the to-and-fro movements of Western diplomats (in all fairness, only Beauty Apa and Anwar Chacha!), we have heard very little of the statement issued publicly by the Resident Coordinator of UNDP, Renata Lok Dessallien, the highest-ranking UN official in Bangladesh:

"In a formal statement released in Dhaka, the most senior U.N. official in Bangladesh, Renata Lok Dessallien, cautioned that the scheduled election “would not be considered credible or legitimate.” Because of this, her statement warned, there may be “implications” for the Bangladesh army’s future participation in U.N. peacekeeping should the election be allowed to take place."

There's quite a bit to be said about the information in this one paragraph alone.

Let's start with the U.N. for example. The UNDP and DPKO are separate entities. The former is an agency under the Economic and Social Council, while the latter is a department in the Secretariat. Indeed, traditionally such has been the disparate nature of the U.N. that when they go into peacekeeping missions, they need a non-coercive, advisory body called OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) to coordinate the different bureacracies. So how does the UNDP Resident Coordinator make veiled threats about peacekeeping quotas?

(And since when does an election, no matter how farcical, ruin any country's peacekeeping prospects. If it did, then Pakistan would not be the second-highest troop contributor under Musharraf. More in the update below.)

Now this is only my humble opinion, but part of the reason lies with the restructuring of the U.N. SG's office that took place under Kofi Annan in 2005 to make it more of an executive cabinet. One assumes that this "cabinet" has control over peacekeeping quotas as well as the UNDP. An influential member of this "cabinet" is Kemal Dervis, the UNDP Administrator and Dessallien's boss, sometimes also referred to as the third-most powerful person within the U.N. system. However, he is not in charge of peacekeeping operations, the under-secretary for which is Jean-Marie Guéhenno.

Mr. Dervis is a former Economic Minister for Turkey, having served in the Cabinet of a Bangla-speaking, Tagore-translating Turkish Prime Minister (not relevant, just funny). More importantly, he is a former World Bank official, much like boss man (or is that an "epistemological" error?) Dr. Fakhruddin . Dervis is also said to have drawn some comparison with military interventions in Turkey
when he met Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury in Feburary.

So what am I trying to say? That this obviously secular, Kemal-loving, pro-soft coups Turk orchestrated our current state of emergency? No, not at all. Nor do I believe that the Security Council Permanent Five decided to play their Great Game through the U.N. As reported, their embassies were not too shy about doing so without the cover of the U.N. This is less of a statement and more of a question. Or perhaps, several.

What possessed the normally reticent and divided U.N. to issue this statement, one clearly meant to influence a country's military and thus undermine its sovereignty? For anyone who knows the history of the U.N., sovereignty is a cornerstone of the system, and the U.N. has generally been reluctant to undermine it. Yes, I echo the sentiments of the American right-wing when I worry about the U.N. undermining sovereignty. But the truth is that the U.N. does not have the power to undermine U.S. sovereignty, and has historically restrained itself from violating the sovereignty of its weaker member states. Bangladesh-2007 could indicate a major policy-shift.

Secondly, who pulled the strings behind the scenes? Not only does the U.N. lack legitimacy in the form of popular representation (otherwise it would be the "sovereign"), it is also notoriously opaque to the stakeholders. I've already fingered Dervis as a possible mastermind. But it could be pretty much anybody else! Perhaps Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, who also serves on the "cabinet" and hails from Bangladesh? The possibilities are endless. The important thing is, we don't know and they have left it open to speculation. Much like the CTG, and with the same long-term consequences: a gradual deterioration of the people's trust in these institutions.

Worse, parts of the U.N. are highly in favour of a bottom-up development agenda, in which governments discuss issues with stakeholders to hear their concerns and get their inputs. By putting forward this example of top-down, opaque politicking on a global scale, in which the U.N. RC starts making veiled threats to incite the armed forces, the U.N. has probably lost the moral high ground for preaching its development model vis a vis future host governments in Bangladesh. Amartya Sen and Mahbubul Haque's "Human Development": R.I.P.

Shifting away from the U.N. to our domestic politics: one keeps hearing that the potential loss of peacekeeping revenue stops them from taking over completely. yet from the article, it seems that that possibility is what made them act in the first place! It does indicate however that when Chief Advisor Fakhruddin says, "I'm in charge", he's not being altogether dishonest. He might just mean that (Bangladeshi? More on this below) bureaucrats with U.N. experience are calling the shots. If this is true, then so far they have managed to control the army by being able to influence DPKO. Once they are unable to do so anymore, elections might be an option because I don't think they want a total military takeover any more than the politicians do.

Lastly and perhaps most importantly, what does the UN RC statement say about our military? One hopes that it did not have too much of an effect on their decision to do what they did. Because if it did, then we might just be in big trouble as a sovereign nation. I'd rather have a patriotic but inefficient and disorderly military as we did in the late 70's, than have an efficient one whose loyalties are less to their nation and their people than to foreigners with cash. Again, it's the opacity and bureaucratic tangle of the U.N. that prevents us from knowing who was calling the shots: people with little investment - personal, emotional, economic, political - in our country (like Dervis) or our citizens serving in New York (like Chowdhury). If the military are not under Bangladeshi civilian control - bureaucratic or political - far better they are their own masters than controlled by faceless, nameless bureacrats across the seas.

They used to have a name for that in the old days...

Update: Googling "Renata Lok Dessallien"+statement leads first to this site and then to her original statement. Needless to say I'm flattered.

From the Handbook on United Nations Multi-Dimensional Peacekeeping, pg. 73:

As soon as DPKO becomes aware of the need for a military element in any particular situation, it establishes informal contacts with potential troop and personnel-contributing States. Based on a proposed concept of operations, DPKO identifies the type and capability of military elements needed. DPKO must also consider a number of political issues when selecting contributions for a specific situation, including the stated preferences of the parties to the conflict, the need for broad geographic representation and the historical or cultural ties a potential contributor may have with the region or State in question.

One can see, if further proof were needed after Pakistan, that the local political conditions of the troop-contributing country is not exactly on the list of priorities especially with U.N. peacekeeping missions are at an all time-high.

68 comments:

Asif said...

Is there any truth to the statement?

According to human-rights groups, scores of others, seized by the troops in the middle of the night, have been tortured to death or summarily executed.

If its referring to RAB, then this is not something that just started.

a said...

probashi,

Just a bit confused. Yes, the statement does not talk about human rights violations perpetrated by RAB. The UN has generally remained silent on that, mostly because it needed our troops almost as much as we need the revenue. Plus, I'm not sure RAB higher-ups are eligible for UN missions except in policing capacities. So far, the UN has sent a police force only to Kosovo, and that was during the very early days of RAB.

Is this what you were asking?

Anonymous said...

Have you thought of interviewing Renata on this? You should really try or at least send her your questions letting her know that you wrote this piece in the blog on this just in case she wants to defend herself.

Anonymous said...

Hello !.
You may , perhaps curious to know how one can reach 2000 per day of income .
There is no initial capital needed You may begin earning with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you haven`t ever dreamt of such a chance to become rich
The firm incorporates an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

Its head office is in Panama with offices everywhere: In USA, Canada, Cyprus.
Do you want to become really rich in short time?
That`s your choice That`s what you really need!

I feel good, I started to take up real money with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. It`s all about how to choose a proper partner who uses your funds in a right way - that`s it!.
I take now up to 2G every day, and my first investment was 500 dollars only!
It`s easy to start , just click this link http://qajupavoro.s-enterprize.com/asixevu.html
and lucky you`re! Let`s take this option together to become rich

Anonymous said...

Please, leave me alone.
---------------------------------------------------------
Signature:buy levitra professional online lsl

Anonymous said...

May I join you?
---------------------------------------------------------
Signature:lipitor 10mg dvtgu
lexapro 10mg yjrgq

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.feedagg.com/feed/630062/Baume-Mercier-Watches]Baume Mercier Watches[/url]
[url=http://www.feedagg.com/feed/630192/Baume-Mercier-Mens]Baume Mercier Mens[/url]
[url=http://www.feedagg.com/feed/630101/Baume-Mercier-Capeland-Watches]Baume Mercier Capeland[/url]
[url=http://www.feedagg.com/feed/630065/Baume-Mercier-Classima]Baume Mercier Classima[/url]
[url=http://www.feedagg.com/feed/631860/Cartier-Watch-Link]Cartier Watch[/url]
[url=http://www.feedagg.com/feed/632245/Cartier-Watches-Sale]Cartier Watches[/url]
[url=http://www.feedagg.com/feed/458720/Cartier-Tank-Solo-Watches]Cartier Tank[/url]
[url=http://www.feedagg.com/feed/458552/Cartier-Roadster-Automatic]Cartier Roadster[/url]
[url=http://www.feedagg.com/feed/411327/Cartier-Pasha-Watch]Cartier Pasha[/url]

Anonymous said...

The everyone eternally makes the assumption that the publication of an error is comparable with the conception of truly - that the howler and actuality are plainly opposite. They are nothing of the sort. What the world turns to, when it is cured on entire literal, is almost always absolutely another solecism, and maybe one worse than the first one.

Anonymous said...

Jokes of the right well-intentioned, well told, can do more to make aware questions of diplomacy, values, and data than any number of doltish arguments.

Anonymous said...

Eating, loving, singing and digesting are, in actuality, the four acts of the jocose opera known as way of life, and they pass like bubbles of a hem in of champagne. Whoever lets them contravene without having enjoyed them is a done fool.

Anonymous said...

Eating, loving, singing and digesting are, in fact, the four acts of the jocular opera known as freshness, and they pass like bubbles of a grit of champagne. Whoever lets them break without having enjoyed them is a done fool.

Anonymous said...

May your passion be the kernel of corn stuck between your molars, always reminding you there's something to watch over to.

Anonymous said...

May your passion be the kernel of corn stuck between your molars, perpetually reminding you there's something to have to.

Anonymous said...

Well done is well-advised b wealthier than spectacularly said.
[url=http://invicta-collection.webs.com/apps/blog/]invicta collection[/url]

invicta collection

Anonymous said...

I surface reference an olive branch in solitary around, and the range fighter's gun in the other. Do not let the olive offshoot capitulate from my hand.

Hotel Albena
[url=http://hotelalbena.webs.com/]Hotel Albeana[/url]

Anonymous said...

I surface mien an olive diversify in sole around, and the self-determination fighter's gun in the other. Do not detonate the olive subdivision become lower from my hand.

Hotel Albena
[url=http://hotelalbena.webs.com/]Hotel Albeana[/url]

Anonymous said...

We should be careful and particular in all the intelligence we give. We should be strikingly prudent in giving opinion that we would not about of following ourselves. Most of all, we ought to escape giving counsel which we don't tag along when it damages those who woo assume us at our word.

cutter

[url=http://cutter-36.webs.com/apps/blog/]cutter[/url]

Anonymous said...

We should be painstaking and discriminating in all the information we give. We should be strikingly aware in giving guidance that we would not about of following ourselves. Most of all, we ought to refrain from giving advisor which we don't tag along when it damages those who transport us at our word.

incra

[url=http://incra-34.webs.com/apps/blog/]incra[/url]

Anonymous said...

We should be painstaking and fussy in all the par‘nesis we give. We should be strikingly prudent in giving information that we would not about of following ourselves. Most of all, we ought to evade giving advisor which we don't tag along when it damages those who depreciate us at our word.

grinder

[url=http://grinder-19.webs.com/apps/blog/]grinder[/url]

Anonymous said...

We should be painstaking and perceptive in all the par‘nesis we give. We should be especially careful in giving advice that we would not dream up of following ourselves. Most of all, we ought to refrain from giving recommendation which we don't tag along when it damages those who take us at our word.

jointer

[url=http://jointer-79.webs.com/apps/blog/]jointer[/url]

Anonymous said...

We should be painstaking and particular in all the par‘nesis we give. We should be extraordinarily painstaking in giving guidance that we would not think of following ourselves. Most of all, we ought to escape giving advise which we don't tag along when it damages those who take us at our word.

shredder

[url=http://shredder-86.webs.com/apps/blog/]shredder[/url]

Anonymous said...

We should be chary and fussy in all the par‘nesis we give. We should be extraordinarily aware in giving information that we would not about of following ourselves. Most of all, we ought to evade giving recommendation which we don't tag along when it damages those who depreciate us at our word.

blowgun

[url=http://blowgun-86.webs.com/apps/blog/]blowgun[/url]

Anonymous said...

We should be painstaking and fussy in all the information we give. We should be signally careful in giving information that we would not think of following ourselves. Most of all, we ought to evade giving recommendation which we don't mind when it damages those who take us at our word.

detail sander

[url=http://detail-sander-60.webs.com/apps/blog/]detail sander[/url]

Anonymous said...

We should be painstaking and perceptive in all the advice we give. We should be extraordinarily painstaking in giving information that we would not dream up of following ourselves. Most of all, we ought to refrain from giving recommendation which we don't mind when it damages those who take us at our word.

band saw

[url=http://band-saw-4.webs.com/apps/blog/]band saw[/url]

Anonymous said...

We should be careful and perceptive in all the intelligence we give. We should be strikingly careful in giving opinion that we would not about of following ourselves. Most of all, we ought to refrain from giving advise which we don't imitate when it damages those who depreciate us at our word.

price pfister

[url=http://price-pfister-9.webs.com/apps/blog/]price pfister[/url]

Anonymous said...

It's not callous to institute decisions when you know what your values are.

[url=http://Gadgetopter.info]Electronics Shop[/url]

Anonymous said...

But right away I have be stricken to allow that the uninjured domain is an problem, a non-toxic conundrum that is made terrible not later than our own mad effort to explicate it as allowing it had an underlying truth.

Anonymous said...

But now I contain be stricken to feel that the all in all world is an problem, a innocuous poser that is made regretful on our own out of one's mind strive to simplify it as in spite of it had an underlying truth.

Anonymous said...

I believe I allready have been informed about this subject
at work 1 day ago by a colleague, but at that time
it didn't caugh my attention.

Anonymous said...

I feel I allready have been informed about this subject
at work yesterday by a mate, but at that time
it didn't caugh my attention.

Anonymous said...

As your faith is strengthened you will-power find that there is no longer the requisite to have a intelligibility of oversee, that things commitment flow as they see fit, and that you purpose course with them, to your great appreciate and benefit.

Anonymous said...

A gink begins icy his discernment teeth the initially often he bites off more than he can chew.

Anonymous said...

As your obligation is strengthened you determination declare that there is no longer the dire to have a sense of oversee, that things thinks fitting flow as they at one's desire, and that you discretion flow with them, to your great joy and benefit.

Anonymous said...

A humankind begins cutting his insight teeth the initially without surcease he bites out more than he can chew.

Anonymous said...

To be a noble human being is to procure a amiable of openness to the far-out, an gift to group aleatory things beyond your own manage, that can lead you to be shattered in unequivocally outermost circumstances pro which you were not to blame. That says something uncommonly important thither the fettle of the honest compulsion: that it is based on a corporation in the fitful and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a spy than like a sparkler, something somewhat fragile, but whose mere item beauty is inseparable from that fragility.

Anonymous said...

To be a good benign being is to from a make of openness to the mankind, an cleverness to trust uncertain things beyond your own pilot, that can lead you to be shattered in very extreme circumstances for which you were not to blame. That says something remarkably important with the condition of the righteous life: that it is based on a trust in the up in the air and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a weed than like a treasure, something fairly dainty, but whose acutely particular beauty is inseparable from that fragility.

Anonymous said...

To be a good human being is to have a philanthropic of openness to the world, an ability to trusteeship undeterminable things beyond your own control, that can take you to be shattered in hugely exceptionally circumstances pro which you were not to blame. That says something remarkably outstanding with the get of the ethical passion: that it is based on a trust in the up in the air and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a spy than like a jewel, something kind of dainty, but whose acutely special attractiveness is inseparable from that fragility.

Anonymous said...

To be a good human being is to from a kind of openness to the mankind, an cleverness to trusteeship aleatory things beyond your own pilot, that can front you to be shattered in hugely exceptionally circumstances on which you were not to blame. That says something remarkably impressive about the condition of the honest autobiography: that it is based on a trust in the uncertain and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a spy than like a jewel, something somewhat feeble, but whose acutely special attraction is inseparable from that fragility.

Anonymous said...

To be a upright lenient being is to have a kind of openness to the in the seventh heaven, an gift to guardianship undeterminable things beyond your own control, that can lead you to be shattered in uncommonly outermost circumstances for which you were not to blame. That says something uncommonly important relating to the fettle of the righteous passion: that it is based on a corporation in the uncertain and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a spy than like a prize, something kind of fragile, but whose mere precise beauty is inseparable from that fragility.

Anonymous said...

To be a noble benign being is to procure a make of openness to the mankind, an cleverness to group aleatory things beyond your own pilot, that can take you to be shattered in unequivocally outermost circumstances for which you were not to blame. That says something remarkably outstanding with the condition of the principled life: that it is based on a conviction in the fitful and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a plant than like a prize, something rather feeble, but whose acutely item beauty is inseparable from that fragility.

Anonymous said...

To be a noble benign being is to from a make of openness to the far-out, an ability to group unsure things beyond your own pilot, that can lead you to be shattered in very outermost circumstances pro which you were not to blame. That says something remarkably outstanding thither the get of the righteous passion: that it is based on a trustworthiness in the uncertain and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a weed than like a prize, something fairly dainty, but whose extremely special beauty is inseparable from that fragility.

Anonymous said...

To be a adroit lenient being is to be enduring a amiable of openness to the far-out, an cleverness to trusteeship uncertain things beyond your own control, that can lead you to be shattered in uncommonly exceptional circumstances on which you were not to blame. That says something exceedingly outstanding about the prerequisite of the ethical life: that it is based on a trustworthiness in the up in the air and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a weed than like a prize, something rather tenuous, but whose extremely precise beauty is inseparable from that fragility.

Anonymous said...

To be a upright lenient being is to from a kind of openness to the world, an skill to group aleatory things beyond your own control, that can govern you to be shattered in uncommonly extreme circumstances on which you were not to blame. That says something very impressive thither the condition of the righteous autobiography: that it is based on a corporation in the unpredictable and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a weed than like a prize, something rather fragile, but whose acutely precise attractiveness is inseparable from that fragility.

Anonymous said...

To be a adroit human being is to have a philanthropic of openness to the far-out, an cleverness to trust unsure things beyond your own pilot, that can govern you to be shattered in very exceptional circumstances pro which you were not to blame. That says something exceedingly important relating to the fettle of the honest life: that it is based on a trustworthiness in the uncertain and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a shop than like a sparkler, something fairly dainty, but whose mere item beauty is inseparable from that fragility.

Anonymous said...

To be a noble charitable being is to be enduring a make of openness to the mankind, an gift to group unsure things beyond your own pilot, that can lead you to be shattered in unequivocally outermost circumstances on which you were not to blame. That says something very important with the fettle of the righteous life: that it is based on a trust in the fitful and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a weed than like a treasure, something fairly fragile, but whose very precise handsomeness is inseparable from that fragility.

Anonymous said...

Electricity seems to be a big deal these days. So we sell [url="http://standbygenerators.terapad.com"]power generators[/url] and various other power generation equipment for every use. Backup Generators, Portable Generators, and [url="http://standbygenerators.posterous.com"]Standby Generators[/url]. Should you be experiencing any power problems and would like to take power into your own hands and gain an advantage in your daily life or business activites, please contact us

Anonymous said...

Work out ferments the humors, casts them into their right channels, throws substandard redundancies, and helps species in those secretive distributions, without which the solidity cannot subsist in its vigor, nor the man role of with cheerfulness.

Anonymous said...

Brilliant site, I had not noticed dhakashohor.blogspot.com earlier during my searches!
Carry on the superb work!

Anonymous said...

Descendant labor and poverty are inevitably obliged together and if you endure to exercise the labor of children as the treatment on the collective disease of poverty, you inclination demand both destitution and descendant labor to the supersede of time.

Anonymous said...

Yo people! I'm new to this forum. I just saw a super looking advertisement through Google saying [url=http://austinscomputers.com/computerrepair]St. Paul Computer Repair[/url]. Do you believe that it is prudent for me to take my computer there?

Anonymous said...

Hey,

I have a inquiry for the webmaster/admin here at dhakashohor.blogspot.com.

May I use part of the information from this blog post right above if I give a link back to this website?

Thanks,
Daniel

Anonymous said...

To be a adroit benign being is to be enduring a amiable of openness to the mankind, an ability to group undeterminable things beyond your own restrain, that can lead you to be shattered in uncommonly extreme circumstances for which you were not to blame. That says something very important about the condition of the principled passion: that it is based on a corporation in the fitful and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a plant than like a treasure, something somewhat dainty, but whose acutely precise attractiveness is inseparable from that fragility.

Anonymous said...

Great Info! But I’m having some trouble trying to load your blog. 2011 scholarships

financial help

Anonymous said...

Dionne, cool story bro :D

Kendra

Anonymous said...

You can generate a great deal of funds from these tasks. They can be when considering working on online surveys, data files entryway, stuffing envelopes, forex trade, writing, affiliate marketing online, Dub Turbo, using the Adsense and also drop shipping and delivery. Generating income online doesn't need any specific classic regarding a seasoned.


[url=http://mkmusiconline.com/make-beats-fast-and-easy-with-dubturbo]dubturbo review[/url]

Anonymous said...

I am really Glad i found this web site.Added dhakashohor.blogspot.com to my bookmark!

Anonymous said...

I am Glad i came across this website.Added dhakashohor.blogspot.com to my bookmark!

Anonymous said...

watch Season of the Witch movie hd [url=http://connections.blackboard.com/people/e0d182e612]download Season of the Witch music [/url] download Season of the Witch movie rapidshare

Anonymous said...

I am Glad i ran across this blog.Added dhakashohor.blogspot.com to my bookmark!

Anonymous said...

Hey,

Thanks for sharing this link - but unfortunately it seems to be down? Does anybody here at dhakashohor.blogspot.com have a mirror or another source?


Thanks,
Alex

Anonymous said...

[url=http://ciproxin.webs.com/]buy ciprofloxacin[/url] cipro buy online
buy cipro hc
cipro hc buy

Anonymous said...

[url=http://ciproxin.webs.com/]buy cipro[/url] cipro buy online
ciprofloxacin buy online uk
buy ciprofloxacin online

Anonymous said...

[url=http://casodex-bicalutamide.webs.com/]acheter Bicalutamide
[/url] Cosudex
Bitakebir
Calutex

Anonymous said...

[url=http://casodex-bicalutamide.webs.com/]Bickam
[/url] buying Casodex
Bicamide
buy Bicalutamide online

Anonymous said...

http://www.microgiving.com/profile/lexapro escitalopram contraindications
http://www.microgiving.com/profile/ibuprofen motrin for headaches
http://www.microgiving.com/profile/ciprofloxacin ciprofloxacin buy uk
http://www.freewebs.com/ciprofloxacin500mg zofran medication assistance
http://www.freewebs.com/paxilonline paroxetine sweating

Anonymous said...

treatment of alcohol induced fatty liver treatment of alcohol induced fatty liver
treatment of alcohol induced fatty liver

my site; what should i eat for fatty liver disease

Anonymous said...

Connecting people around the world struggle with Private Student Loans for People Pornography Addiction can
cause a person to mass of people waited in nervous anticipation of the
next generation. Those rules, now under court challenge,
basically exempted wireless. They are afraid of rejections that can end the
relationship. We are offering a great trial for $0.
According to the National Institutes of Health.

In the troubling footage on YouTube, Mr Slater and Mango are seen
standing on the same spacious suburban house on the
quiet street in the valley where A Love Story.

Anonymous said...

rosacea doctor Tanksley

Feel free to surf to my blog - rosacea laser treatment Kanawha