They won't let me speak, it's a matter of wonder

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen's speech at the Janmashtami ceremony in Chittagong on August 18 started a strong reaction. He faced criticism from the ruling party itself, the Awami League and the cabinet. He was cornered. This is the first time he has faced the media after the incident. Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen talked openly in his conversation with Bangla Insider's Chief Editor Syed Borhan Kabir.

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said, "My colleagues speak by guesses without asking me." Today one of them said, brother I am sorry, I should have talked to you. So I asked, why didn’t you? He replied, you did not inform us. I said, ok. He said, let me know, then it will be beneficial for us too. I have given a written statement today.

Regarding not talking to journalists recently, he said, I didn't talk to Dhanmondi number 32. Because everyone told me not to say anything. Our general secretary advised me not to speak. Then everyone around me is telling me not to say anything. What is this? They won't let me speak, it's a matter of wonder. Today two of my colleagues complained again. They complained that I didn’t say anything. I said, you have already said before I could say anything.  You didn't even ask me anything. They said, we are sorry. Write us a little what about happened.

On the issue of India, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said, I said, it is a Janmashtami ceremony. We were talking about harmony there. Not about any election, there was no talk about any election in India either. I have started there with the Chief Minister of Assam. There are some fierce people, mischievous people in your country, there are also in my country. If we agree on these matters, we will never inflate them and discourage them. Then there will be stability, there will be harmony. And Sheikh Hasina is a symbol of harmony, stability. We will help her in any way we can.

He also said that the leader gave a speech there. I said leader has given speech, so I don't need to say anything. Because it was very comprehensive, very straightforward. They said, we have some questions, answer them. I said ok. Then I began to say what was discussed in India. There I said that it started with the issue of Chief Minister. There has been considerable instability in various places lately. Another is the harmony between our two countries. When a woman gave a controversial speech in your country, we were under a lot of pressure to make a comment on that speech. But we did not, we were silent. Because there is no benefit in making a comment. I told the media then, that Prophet Muhammad not to exaggerate about religion. But at that time I was under a lot of pressure that we would make a formal statement against it. But I didn’t. I told him that we did not make any statement. Because if there is a mess in your country, it will create a mess in our country. if there is a mess our country, it will create a mess your country. Because we don’t live in an isolated island. We live in a place where everyone is interconnected. He also agreed with it.

The foreign minister said, I said, Sheikh Hasina is a symbol of stability. We must protect her. Because, she is a non-communal person. She is our pride. I also spoke about Bangabandhu there. Bangabandhu talked about non-communalism all his life. And as I said, there are some minor but embarrassing issues. For example, killing at border. You solve them, we will be happy to do whatever you need to do in this regard, I said.

Regarding the position of colleagues, Dr AK Abdul Momen said, I am surprised. Today they say that, you did not say anything. They didn't even ask me. They made the statement without asking. Now they say I did not say anything. Then I wrote a short note and informed them.

Abdur Rahman says that you are not a member of Awami League. Abdur Rahman says that you are not a member of Awami League. If you are not a member of the Awami League, then how did you get the nomination? In answer to that question, Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said, what he wanted to say was no one from the presidium or the central committee. He made the correction.

Regarding 'Heaven' issue, he said, I was told that our economy is very bad. I said, our economy is very good. The prices of goods are increasing everywhere in the world. Our inflation is about 7 percent, and in America it is 9.1 percent, where it never rises more than 2-3 percent. It has also increased a lot in England. A large economy like Turkey, inflation has increased by 67 percent, while Pakistan has increased by 37 percent. And in Sri Lanka more than 150 percent according to media information. So see what kind of difficult situation they are in. We are much better than them. In Afghanistan people are killed when they go to mosque. In America people are getting killed in school. Compared to that we are in a much better situation; you can say we are in 'heaven'. We always use the word 'heaven'. Now without telling the context they are saying that Mr. Momen says, we are in heaven.

Regarding the visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to Bangladesh, Dr. AK Abdul Momen said, Michelle met us on the first day. We brought a civil group. But our format is very bad. I put her on top, and our civil servants made big statements. But their system is interactive. Everyone sat at the round table. And also she has already come up with an idea. Nothing bad was said when we talked. But when they went there, they held a press conference. I wanted her to have a press conference to talk to me. But the people of my ministry said, Sir, it will not be right. But she did the press conference.

Asked if you are thinking about the impartial commission that Michelle Bachelet talked about, Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said, it was not discussed with me. My personal opinion is that there is a commission in our country. They are active. They have their own authority, not in government. According to the definition of our country, in our law, there is no word of force disappear. There is no law. They are in Latin America, other countries. Michelle Bachelet's father was killed by Forced Disappear. So she has this experience herself.

Regarding Michelle Bachelet's visit, along with Netra News' Ayanaghar report, Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said, the same conspiracy has started now as in 75. There is a news called Netra. I asked Sweden about this. They said they didn't know. This is not our newspaper. It is funded by the US NDI. David Bergman in English and Tasneem Khalil in Bengali. I can't say who gives them the information. Every now and then they come up with something ludicrous and then spread it. This Ayanaghar news of Netra News is promoted by Voice of America. So there must be something going on abroad.