01/17/2013, 00.00
BANGLADESH - RUSSIA
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Dhaka spends 1 billion on weapons from Moscow. Jeopardizing food for poorest

by Nozrul Islam
An agreement between Russia and Bangladesh, 500 million dollars for the construction of the first nuclear power plant in the country. A local source tells AsiaNews "an ambitious deal that compromises basic needs: food, education, housing." In the country, 1/3 of the population lives on less than a dollar a day.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - An "ambitious" arms deal has been signed between Russia and Bangladesh, "taking resources away from the poor" and "putting them in the pockets of the military." This is the comment of a local source to AsiaNews, anonymous for security reasons, on the 1 billion dollar contract signed in Moscow by Russian President Putin and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on January 15 last. And that's not all: the deal also includes an additional 500 million dollars, intended to build the first nuclear power plant in the country, as well as an unspecified "joint project" in the gas sector.

After several years, Dhaka has restored ties with Moscow, a historic ally - and arms supplier - during the war of independence (1971), which led to the birth of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). For Russia, the agreement represents a more solid footing in South Asia, with India and Pakistan - respectively - supported by the United States and China, and Myanmar at an unclear stand still. For the Bangladeshi prime minister and his party, the Awami League, it is an opportunity to revive ancient ties useful in foreign policy, but not only. The war and Russia's support for the liberation touch a emotional chord still very much felt by the population, which silences the many controversies against the government, accused of "selling the country" to foreign companies.

According to AsiaNews sources, engaged in a social justice movement, the arms deal will "very heavily compromise the network of assistance, security and development programs operating in the country." "In Bangladesh - he explains - 1/3 of the population lives below the poverty line [less than a dollar a day, ed.] We have a responsibility and an obligation to provide food, homes, education to these people. Such a heavy investment in weapons and the military sector clearly means that basic needs will be compromised. "

The nuclear debate is very heated. In his previous campaign, Hasina had promised the construction of a nuclear power plant, (a promise never kept) to make the country self-sufficient in terms of energy. Now, holding a contract signed by Russia, the prime minister hopes to regain the vote, ahead of the upcoming elections, to be held in about a year.

"Bangladesh - acknowledges the source - needs to be self-sufficient in terms of energy. However, I do not think the country has sufficient capacity to operate a Nuclear Power plant. Although this is an ambitious project that could respond to our needs. But until safety standards and security measures are introduced, a poor country like Bangladesh could never cope with disasters like Chernobyl, Union Carbide [Bhopal disaster, ed], or Fukushima. "

 

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