Joe Biden's letter and Mona Lisa's smile

On the night of March 27, one of my editor friends called and informed on the phone that the American President Joe Biden had written a letter to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. This letter was sent on the occasion of the great Independence Day of Bangladesh on March 26. The editor said, "For various reasons, this letter is important at this time." That's all. I read the details of the letter from the American President in various online newspapers to find out what was important in the letter. Before I could find out what was important in the letter a pro-BNP teacher and intellectual called and said, see Biden’s letter. They have given an ultimatum for fair election. This time it won’t be like 2014 and 2018. And what is the praise of the leader. Read well. Then he kind of burst out in laughter and said, "Now even America is on our side. What will happen to the BNP?" I remember saying this with a smile in the high-pitched breeze. I hung up the phone reminding him that it is better not to laugh so loudly during the month of Ramadan. There was only one letter from the US president but this same letter pleased both Awami League and BNP. Both sides think that the message of this letter is in their favor. What a charisma. Both Awami League and BNP consider this letter as their victory. This is like the secret of the Mona Lisa's smile from 500 years ago. Leonardo da Vinci began painting this famous painting in 1503 and 1504. He began working on this artwork at the request of a wealthy Florentine merchant. The businessman wanted a portrait of his wife, Lisa Del Gherardini. At the time of the naming, 'Mona' was used as a term of address for women. Now, just like using Miss or Mrs., 'Mona Lisa' is the naming convention used with the addition of Lisa. It is believed that Leonardo worked on the painting for more than ten years. The 'Mona Lisa' by Leonardo da Vinci is globally renowned and one of the reasons for its attractiveness is the mysterious 'smile'. Using the perspective and the work of chiaroscuro, Vinci created a unique smile that creates a type of optical illusion. Whenever the viewer looks directly at the Mona Lisa, the face appears to be smiling. However, when the viewer's gaze is fixed on the smile, it becomes invisible. There are two different interpretations of the Mona Lisa's smile. Some believe it to be a happy smile while others believe it to be a sad one. This debate has been ongoing for 500 years. Biden's letter has also created a mystery. The message and purpose of this letter creates a mystery. What was the meaning of this letter? The debate will continue for a long time. At least until the next election.

First of all, the question that arose in my mind is why letters in this age? Joe Biden could have called the Prime Minister on Independence Day. The White House could have issued a statement congratulating Bangladesh on Independence Day. White House officials regularly issue such statements on behalf of US presidents. Just a few days ago, on Victory Day (December 16), a statement of congratulations was issued by the US President on behalf of the United States. Governments and heads of state of different countries also send greeting cards or souvenirs on such occasions. But why did Biden write a letter instead? In political science, "authentication" or "documentation" is a widely used word. Documenting or keeping records for the future is a political strategy. Does the White House want to use it as a reference in the future? Is it for this purpose, their wishes have been sent in the form of a written letter? The United States wants to authenticate it for whatever reason or for whoever it is written for. My second question is about protocol. The President usually sends greetings, condolences, or other messages to the counterparty. If a formal greeting message is sent on Bangladesh's Independence Day, it will be sent to the President. However, President Biden sent a letter to the Prime Minister. There is a logical reason for this. Since the American President is the head of government while in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister holds executive power. Therefore, it is natural for the country's head of government to receive a message from the American President on important issues. That is why this letter is important. It is not just a casual greeting but an important message. That is why Mr. Biden sent the letter to the Prime Minister, not the President.

I have another delusion regarding the letter issue. On March 21, Biden sent a congratulatory message to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, which was sent to the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Generally, when important people around the world send congratulatory messages or make phone calls, the Prime Minister's office or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces and publicizes it. The phone call of former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the Prime Minister was also announced from the Prime Minister's office. On various days, telephone calls from the Prime Minister of India or the Prime Minister of Pakistan, greetings are officially announced by the Prime Minister's Office. Again, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives official information about the greetings of the UN Secretary General or the communication of international personalities. But no one from the Bangladesh government has released any information about Joe Biden's letter on March 21. Neither the Prime Minister's Office, nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The US president is the most powerful person in the world. He has sent a letter to the Prime Minister; this is very important news. Does the Ministry of External Affairs think this is an unimportant matter, so there is no need to report it to the media? Or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is uncomfortable with this letter and that’s why they didn't want to publicize it? Apparently, the US Embassy waited until March 27. Since Biden's letter was on March 26, the US embassy did not delay after the occasion. They released the entire letter to the media. Although it may seem unimportant to the bureaucrats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but it seems very important to the US diplomats in Baridhara. More importantly, the message given to the Prime Minister through the letter, the US wants to convey that message to the people as well. For this, the letter was published by the US Embassy in the media.

Another question regarding this letter is why was it sent on March 21 instead of March 26? Bangladesh Independence Day is on March 26th. It is said that this letter is to convey greetings on Independence Day. So why was this greeting letter sent five days earlier? I have tried to find a reason for this. On March 20, the United States released a report on human rights. The next day, Biden sent this letter. Bangladesh was criticized in the human rights report. The government was accused of several issues in an unfair and irrational manner. The 2018 election was also questioned in that report. Then came the letter from the American president. Is this letter a supplementary? The greeting for Independence Day is just an excuse? In fact, in light of the Human Rights Report, Joe Biden informed the Prime Minister in brief about American expectations. That's what this letter is for. There are more reasons for this idea. On March 21, the day after this letter, the US ambassador invited Awami League leaders to lunch on March 22. Dressed in suit coats, six leaders led by the Awami League General Secretary met for lunch. There, the US ambassador spoke about the upcoming elections. He reiterated the hope and desire of the US that the election be free, fair and impartial. So, is Biden's letter a type of pressure? To officially inform the government of the intention of the United States regarding the upcoming elections and Independence Day has only been chosen as a day to express the United States' desire or opinion.

Now we can try to find the meaning of this letter. Before looking into the meaning of the letter and its purpose, let's see what the letter contains. In the letter written by Biden, it is said, ‘On behalf of the United States, I wish you and the people of Bangladesh a happy Independence Day. The Bangladeshi people understand deeply the value of freedom and independence as they fought courageously in 1971 to choose their own fate and to speak their own language.’ The letter further states, ‘As Bangladesh approaches its next election, I am reminded of the deep value both of our nations’ people place on democracy, equality, respect for human rights, and free and fair elections.’ Biden's letter applauded Bangladesh's demonstrated commitment as the largest contributor to peacekeeping operations. The letter said, ‘We applaud Bangladesh’s demonstrated commitment to protecting the most vulnerable as the largest contributor to peacekeeping operations. We thank Bangladesh for cohosting the Global Action Plan ministerial that significantly elevated the political commitment to end the global pandemic.’ The letter praised the provision of shelter to Rohingya refugees. At the end of the letter, referring to the diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the United States, the US President wrote, ‘In over 50 years of diplomatic relations, the United States and Bangladesh have achieved a lot together — advancing economic development, strengthening people-to-people ties, addressing global health and climate issues, partnering on the humanitarian response to Rohingya refugees, and committing to a prosperous, secure, democratic, and independent Bangladesh. On this day of celebration, please accept my sincere wishes to you and the people of Bangladesh. Joy Bangla!’

The letter from the American President is divided into three parts. Firstly, the desire of the United States for the people of Bangladesh, human rights and democracy has been discussed. In particular, the expectation that the next national parliament elections should be free, fair and impartial is openly stated in the letter of the US President. But whether it is an expectation or a command is as mysterious as the Mona Lisa's smile.

Secondly, Bangladesh's importance and success on the global stage have been highlighted in the letter. Bangladesh's leadership and various issues have been praised in the international community, including its peacekeeping mission and humanity towards the Rohingyas.

Thirdly, the 50-year diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh and the United States has been discussed in the letter.

However, above all, two issues of the letter have become the topic of discussion in Bangladesh politics. One is, 'Free and fair next election' and at the end of the letter 'Joy Bangla'. BNP leaders and supporters believe that the United States is very serious about this election. They want to see the upcoming elections of Bangladesh free and fair at any cost and it is not possible without the participation of BNP. There is enough logic behind such statements of BNP leaders and activists. For two years, the United States has been constantly talking about elections. The US position regarding the 2018 elections is now clear. The latest human rights report by the United States has mentioned flaws about this election. The incumbent US President expressed the ultimate desire of the US regarding the upcoming election. In a democratic system, elections are a competitive process. Participation of multiple political parties is essential in this process. The Election Commission conducts this battle of votes or acts as a referee. Therefore, free, fair and impartial elections depend on the active and responsible behavior of all parties. BNP says that they will not participate in the next elections without a non-partisan caretaker government. If they stay away from the next election due to this demand, then that is their political decision. As a political party they can take such decision. But the question is, if the BNP and some parties boycott the election, will that election be acceptable? Similarly, if the Awami League and its allies declare that they will not participate in the election under a caretaker government, then how will the election be held? If the Awami League or BNP do not participate, will keeping the people away from exercising their voting rights be a democratic decision? If the election is held excluding the parties that are not willing to participate in the election and if it is free and fair and the people are able to vote for their preferred candidates peacefully and unhindered, wouldn't that election be acceptable? It is crucial that the answers to these questions are clarified. It is also necessary to know the US explanation in this regard. Otherwise, anyone can take democracy hostage and that effort is now clearly visible. Competition plays a major role in making elections fair and free. Awami League's main rival in terms of votes in Bangladesh is certainly BNP. Therefore, if BNP does not participate in the elections, then obviously the mood and attraction of the elections will decrease a lot. Many voters will lose motivation to vote after realizing what the outcome of the election is going to be. In such a situation it is easy to question the election. The BNP has relied on this easy tactic for more than sixteen years of being out of power. They believe that if they boycott the upcoming elections, it will not be internationally acceptable, and there will be uncertainty even before the elections. So, is there any way to prevent this from happening in the upcoming elections? Is the United States supporting them from behind? Is this why the US President hinted in a letter that the election would not be recognized if all parties did not participate? If the BNP continues to boycott, it will pave the way for unelected government and unconstitutional process to seize power. The countries, including the United States, which are talking about fair elections, should talk to the BNP about this. If the US really wants free, fair and impartial elections in Bangladesh, then it should take the initiative to bring BNP to the elections. What kind of provisions exist in the current constitution and election laws in Bangladesh? Where are the boundaries of the election commission? It is important to figure out how to keep the administration neutral in elections. The United States can also talk to the Election Commission about this. However, I think there is another motive behind putting the responsibility of fair elections on the ruling party alone without doing any of those things. Behind statements like the upcoming election in Bangladesh must be free, fair and participatory it is necessary to investigate whether there is actually a conspiracy to bring unconstitutional forces to power by thwarting the election.

What is the real intention behind the US Embassy's insistence on fair elections in the upcoming election? Is it to ensure a fair election or to restore a lost dominance in this region? Because the United States has become important again in Bangladesh by raising the voice of fair elections. To maintain this importance, the election issue was also mentioned in the Independence Day greetings. And at the end of the letter, the phrase "Joy Bangla" was used to create a sense of mystery, like Mona Lisa's smile. To prove that the United States is not targeting the Awami League, they are not trying to oust Awami League and they have no agenda in Bangladesh, the emotion 'Joy Bangla' has been used as a shield. This letter is nothing but an expression of desire to manifest American hegemony.