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. "