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First Colony in the New Millennium
Wednesday, June 4, 2003
First Colony in the New Millenniumby Dr. A.K. Enamul Haque
Terrorism has been a topic for discussion in all parts of the world. In fact, it has no boundary. Weeks before Phil traveled to Bangladesh (in January 2003), a series of bomb blasts in Bangladesh killed and injured many. The whole country was shocked and as usual the government was under pressure to apprehend the culprits. The police, on the other hand, were quick to blame some extremist organizations. For weeks, the government was after a group who were blamed and eventually nothing happened. The euphoria died down over time. I remember, Phil was curious and asked me about it. I could not give a definite answer. There were several suspects but no one was sure who did it. I told Phil that it was unlikely that the culprits would ever be found. Similarly, there were several dozens terrorist attacks in the past 6-7 years and not a single event was ever put into trial.
In Bangladesh, there are several suspects for creating such terror acts. However, a pro-Indian left leaning underground communist party is blamed for all the killings when an anti-Indian political party comes into power and a pro-Islamic underground party is blamed when a pro-Indian political party comes into power. I have no idea who is telling the truth but I believe that they are all trying to benefit from the impact of such atrocities. By blaming pro-Islamic parties, the pro-Indian political elements try to ensure that Islamic groups are hated in our politics, a cheap technique to put the blame without providing a proof. Similarly, by blaming pro-Indian elements for the crime, the anti-Indian political group wants to keep the blame-game alive. Knowing these well, I did not have a clear answer except the fact that I did not believe that anybody would ever be on trial.
At that time, I thought that if it were in any other country of the world, probably the truth could have been found. Having been educated in the west and knowing the level of political consciousness among the public in these countries, I had developed a trust in the system of politics of the west. For many people in Bangladesh, who had never seen another country and where majority of the people are still illiterate, the western educated groups of people represent a liberal ideology that is based on a strong belief in a pluralistic society, respect for human rights, and the rule of law. Over time, many people trying to know the western ideas and also sent their children to schools belonging to western beliefs.
While, these were taking place, others, who are strong believers of eastern philosophy, thought that the western educated people are not only taking away their lifestyle but also threatening their beliefs. The grip of religious leaders was becoming weak. Consequently, they also began a movement to inform people about the problems of western living, about the hypocrisy of the west.
After the colonial powers left the country, it was the western educated groups who came to the power in Bangladesh and in other countries. Over time, they became highly corrupt and many of them are linked with criminal gangs abroad. Western countries provided shelter to many of these leaders and even provided unnamed bank accounts to transfer huge amount of wealth outside the country. Many of the leaders, who left their country, found safe havens abroad through their connections. Some of them, who are still active in politics, sent their children abroad and advised them to take immigration and become naturalized. They started to enjoy the life style of "rich and famous" people of western countries. It is, therefore, no surprise for us that Saddam was enjoying a very lavish lifestyle.
As a result of all these, anti-western school of thoughts gained acceptance. Schools, colleges, hospitals, etc., sponsored by Islamic groups gained popularity and are trusted. Questions began to appear about the western values as they could neither protect human rights nor could protect wealth. A recent Transparency International report shows that while the poorest countries of the earth are the most corrupt nations, the US is also one of the top ten countries of the world which pays international kickbacks generously.
The failure of the so-called western educated leadership, who are supported by the west and who are highly corrupt and plundered of the wealth of the nation, had forced people to think that the western ideology is a baseless utterance. We should not forget that many leaders including the Shah of Iran, Saddam of Iraq, and leaders of the Middle East, were (are) backed by the west.
Some motivated people tried to challenge the neo-fundamentalism and began to work for the poor. NGOs began to work for the people assuring them that we care. Human rights groups began to work for the people, showing that western philosophy has some substances, educationists began to work, telling people that western education has values, etc., etc. But Islamic groups continued to say that these are all eyewashes. Do not trust the west, look at the corruption, kickbacks, double standards, etc., etc. and make up your mind.
A few weeks ago, I was in a seminar in Dhaka. People were discussing the growth of shrimp farms in coastal zones in Bangladesh. At one point, a human rights activist (obviously western educated!) wanted to raise her voice against the increase in rural violence due to emergence of a new class of wealthy people out of shrimp trading. Within seconds, many people attending the seminar wanted her to stop! They asked her to explain human rights conditions in Iraq first. She became quiet – perhaps realizing that people, once again, lost their faith in such buzz words. Now, we all realize that our achievements in these fronts are being questioned and unfortunately, we cannot defend.
Under the situation, the voices for democracy, civility, human rights, freedom of speech, etc., are in great danger in many countries in Asia and Africa. Given the occupation of power by US and UK and the backing that they have received from the western countries (non-western members were clearly bought into the deal to vote for US) to rule Iraq for an indefinite period, reminds us of the past colonial occupations. People of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, who had suffered from the illegal and illegitimate governments under the colonial rules, thought that forgiveness is the virtue. Had there been one genuine trial against these illegally occupying powers, the US and UK would have never thought of occupying Iraq again (ironically, the UK was the previous colonial master of Iraq). Here again, I see the blame-game tactics used by the US who clearly lied to the world about Iraq's military might. The US has so far failed to provide any evidence of Iraq's possession of illegal weapons. Under the circumstances, it appears that possession of oil is the main reason for reoccupation of Iraq by its past colonial rulers. Consequently, it strengthens the hands of those people who were flagging out the hypocrisy of the colonial rulers and told their people to fight illegal occupation and unethical manipulation.
I hope that some one or some group in the west would come forward and try to put things in the right place through US courts, and would halt the US to become the first colonial power of the new millennium, without this, the world will continue to rock. The new century will become more dangerous. The consequence of moral failure of the west will become more costly. Let us act before it is too late.
Long Memories are "All Based On History"
My friend Enamul, is the best driver I know. It wasn't always the case. Way back when, when we were both "young" graduate students at the University of Guelph, Enamul called me to tell me about his new car. I was a bit taken aback. In many ways, I looked out for Enamul. I was his Canadian conscience, helping him through the vagaries of Canadian culture. Wondering what he bought sent my imagination into over drive.
He came over in a beat up Chevy Chevette. To me, it looked like it was put together with chicken wire. He got me in and headed down the Hanlon expressway. He turned to me and said, "What do you think?" Holding onto the door, while hanging on for dear life, I diplomatically said, "It's fine, just don't drive it over 80km/hr. He turned and kind of looked at me. Silently, he knew what I meant.
That Chevy Chevette was his ticket to travel freedom. Over the next three years, it took him across the eastern part of Canada and the United States. When the end came after his Ph.D., he drove it to the junkyard, only to have it break down at the yard's gate. He pushed it over the line and his North American driving career was over. Little did I know ten years later, the lessons he learned in that Chevette would be the basis for his re-education as a driver in the Asian Grand Prix, the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
It is on those streets "while I hold on for dear life" where I've engaged Dr. Haque many times. "First Colony in the New Millennium" is a great piece I've heard over and over in my mind since I met Dr. Haque, 17 years ago. When we discussed these great issues of the day, Dr. Haque always has a common retort. Simply put, he says, "It's all based on history." It is something which has stayed with me forever.
It's difficult for many of us in the west to fully understand exactly what it would have been like to live under a colonial master. In Canada, memories of colonial times have been over for well over 100 years. But in a place like Bangladesh, memories of colonial domination fostered by western educated leaders, still permeate the society. When I visited Bangladesh in January 2003, I met Bangladeshis who were born post 1971, the year of Bangladeshi liberation from Pakistan. They told me, "We are Bangladeshi!" They had no memory of colonial times. In that society, it was an obvious change which will probably only benefit the country.
I've seen the same type of chaffing from colonial memory from other friends. While at the University of Guelph, I met several African students who told me about the legacy of past colonial powers, French, Portuguese and British. But one of my most powerful memories of this had to do with Australian domination of Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea was granted independence from Australia in 1975.
While at Guelph, I befriended a fellow student from Papua New Guinea. Having traveled through Australia, I had a working knowledge of the history of Papua New Guinea. So over the years, my colleague and I got to debate the issues much like Dr. Haque and I do. One recurring theme in our discussions was his intense dislike for anybody or anything Australian. I learned later he had been barred from school as a child from an overbearing Australian schoolmaster.
I've not heard from this friend since that time, but it has not been for a lack of trying. Papua New Guinea in the last few years has suffered an internal insurrection, which has shattered its hopes of getting rich on its natural resources. Australia is still acting as big brother in this region. The Bali bombing which killed several hundred Australians in Indonesia was aimed specifically at Australians. Nothing justifies what happens, but for many within this region, it wasn't as surprising as you might think.
But for those of us in the west, it is very hard to get around on this "colonial thing." I think the vast majority of the political leadership in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada think they are trying to do some real good in these far off lands. But usually in the developed world that is not the case. Dr. Haque writes, "People of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, who had suffered from the illegal and illegitimate governments under the colonial rules, thought that forgiveness is the virtue. Had there been one genuine trial against these illegally occupying powers, US and UK would have never thought of occupying Iraq again."
This is an interesting point and one we in the west can hardly imagine. "Forgiveness is a virtue." Nobody here thinks that anybody needs forgiving. The idea of "one genuine trial" against colonial powers is off the radar screen. So with this as a backdrop, it is no wonder in its current reincarnation that the US, British and Australians think they are doing the Iraqis a lot of good. The idea of "might is right" has just too many coat tails.
Unfortunately, that leaves us where we are today. We have the Americans and British in Iraq doing what they are doing. And yes, this might represent another "moral failure" of the west. But surely the west doesn't hold a monopoly on "moral failure". There is a lot of blame to pass around everywhere, including countries of the developing world.
On my recent trip to Bangladesh, Enamul and I traveled to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, a hilly region near the border with Myanmar and India. It is one region of Bangladesh where "tribals" are the majority of the population. Through the years, there has been a rebel movement in the region supported by India. General peace has now come to the region as a previous Bangladeshi government signed an accord with the tribal leadership. But in the murky world of Indian/Bangladesh politics, the status quo is never assured.
On our way back from the Hill tracts, we passed through the town of Feni. Feni is a very dangerous place on the main road. The night we went through, there were armed soldiers protecting the main road. Armed criminals have controlled the town up until this past year. Feni is so close to the Indian border, armed criminals can easily escape any police dragnet. These thugs are effectively protected by India not by design, but by apathy. Bangladesh is accused of the same thing on different parts of the India/Bangladesh border. Who is right is a matter of conjecture. The moral high ground is lost in the meantime.
But in the case of Iraq, the British and the Americans are big fish. Everybody notices them, including the people in the developing world who see the danger in history repeating itself. 20, 30 or 50 years from now, somebody will stand up and say, "why does it have to be this way?" The answer is an easy one. It's all based on history. It's all based on history.
East/West is a joint column written by A.K. Enamul Haque and Philip Shaw. Dr. A.K.Enamul Haque Ph.D, is a Professor of Economics at United International University. Philip Shaw M.Sc. is farmer, writer and broadcaster in Dresden, Ontario, Canada. Each month they will bring their uniquely East/West perspectives to specific topics of world interest.
