Media Reaction: Bush Inauguration;Dhaka

UNCLAS DHAKA 000350 SIPDIS FOR I/FW, B/G, IIP/G/NEA-SA, B/VOA/N (BANGLA SERVICE) STATE FOR SA/PAB, SA/PPD (LSCENSNY, SSTRYKER),SA/RA, INR/R/MR, AND PASS TO USAID FOR ANE/ASIA/SA/B (WJOHNSON) CINCPAC FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR, J51 (MAJ TURNER),J45 (MAJ NICHOLLS) USARPAC FOR APOP-IM (LTC HEDRICK) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR OIIP OPRC KPAO PREL ETRD PTER ASEC BG OCII SUBJECT: Media Reaction: Bush Inauguration;Dhaka Summary: The "Daily Star" an English daily comments that the United States needs to remove the double standard from it policies of promoting democracy. -------------- BUSH INAUGURATION -------------- "Spreading 'Freedom and Democracy' ... Are You Serious Mr. President?" Independent English language newspaper "The Daily Star" op- ed article by Brig. Gen. (retired) Shahedul Anam Khan, Editor of Defense and Strategic Affairs for the paper comments (1/27/05): ... the grave implications on the spread of freedom and democracy around the world cannot escape the notice of even the casual observer. In fact the U.S. president's speech was pegged entirely on the morals of 'democracy' of which 'freedom' and 'liberty' are the two critical adjuncts. It is not surprising that he chose to do so; with the rationale for the Iraq war transmuting constantly, it was inevitable. How else would one justify a folly except on twisted logic and deceptive arguments. While the majority of the Americans feel that spreading democracy is essential to U.S.' security, even they are skeptical about ending tyranny in the world. Some of the greatest tyrants were sponsored by the U.S. administration in the last century. Some of the most oppressive dictatorial regimes in Central and South America, in Asia and the Middle East, were abetted by the U.S. administration only because they helped serve America's national interest. While no one can take issue with the underlying hopes of the U.S. president, one cannot see it being fulfilled if the policy of double standards is not eschewed, if the meaning of freedom and liberty is applied selectively, and if national aspirations to freedom is seen as the exclusive rights of only those that are in accord with U.S. views, and that security is seen not only as the ability to protect oneself from aggression but also to acquire means to deter it. Thomas