Sending more troops to UN will brighten Bangladesh image

The United Nations has recently requested the Bangladesh government to contribute with an infantry battalion for maintaining peace in the newly-born African country. The United Nations sought the infantry battalion composed of 850 personnel from Bangladesh for its peacekeeping mission.

The recent request in this regard has been sent from the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) to the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations. The battalion will be deployed to meet the immediate requirement in Wau area of South Sudan.

The government of Bangladesh has promptly accepted the offer of contributing the infantry battalion and necessary preparations are underway for the speedy and smooth deployment. These offers have been received on the basis of pledges that were made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during "Leaders` Summit on Peacekeeping" on 28 September 2015 in New York.

The matter is of great dignity for Bangladesh. The contribution Bangladesh Armed Forces and Police have been keeping for maintaining world peace and stability in the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations will be more enlarged through this.

Bangladesh has now the highest contribution with sending peacekeeping personnel to various volatile regions in response to the call of the United Nations. This has only been possible because of professionalism, sincerity, punctuality and integrity of Bangladesh police and army officials.

The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) is the third largest foreign currency earning sector for Bangladesh. Now in the world Bangladesh Armed Forces and Police have got the recognition as the institution for sending highest peacekeepers. Bangladesh police and army officials have introduced Bangladesh to the world through earning this recognition.

Bangladesh women are also playing a vital role in the UN peacekeeping missions. 176 female personnel of Bangladesh Armed Forces and 603 female personnel of Bangladesh Police Forces have been able to establish themselves in the international arena through their performance.

In 1988, Bangladesh first joined the UN peacekeeping mission with only 15 military observers. Around one and a half lakh Bangladesh soldiers and officers have already returned to the country after serving in various conflict zones of the world. We believe this will be continued and more strengthened in future.

Bangladesh can hold its head high in the global arena because the Bangladeshi uniformed personnel have earned the gratitude of millions in lands, mostly in Africa, far distant from Bangladesh. They have helped restore tranquility and peace in many war-torn parts of the globe and have ushered in an era of hope in countries which had only known despair and war.

During the first Golf War in 1990-91, around 2,193 Bangladesh troops participated in the coalition forces led by the United States of America which was the first participation of Bangladesh troops in peacekeeping mission led by a single country out of the United Nations. Professional skill, sincerity, punctuality and integrity of police and army officials have helped Bangladesh to earn reputation in the international arena within shortest time.

Bangladesh has been actively participating in the UN peacekeeping mission for last two decades. In 21st century, Bangladesh basically established itself as the country for sending highest peacekeepers in the UN peacekeeping mission. It is no doubt a matter of pride for our country. We expect the positive image of Bangladesh will be more highlighted in the international arena through sending this new force to the United Nation.  

risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 5, 2016/NA/Amirul