Former US diplomat Jon F Danilowicz said that the United States made errors in its foreign policy toward Bangladesh during 2007-08, particularly during the "1/11" events.
He noted that the US government at the time failed to prioritise institutional reforms adequately. However, he added that the current interim government is learning from those mistakes and is advancing with public support.
Speaking at a discussion titled "Dhaka: Towards a New Dawn: A New Course for Bangladesh-US Relations after the Uprising," Danilowicz urged the US and the European Union to maintain consistency in their funding policies and support for ongoing reforms.
He also emphasised that civil society should take a more active role and suggested that funds laundered abroad over the past 17 years be redirected to support good governance initiatives.
The event, organised by the Center for Governance Studies (CGS) on Saturday, March 8, was held at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) Auditorium.
Moderated by CGS Executive Director Zillur Rahman, the discussion featured Danilowicz and former US Ambassador William B Milam as panellists.
Attendees included diplomats from various foreign missions in Bangladesh, politicians, academics, business leaders, representatives of international development organizations, civil society members, media personnel, and university students.
Danilowicz also addressed current challenges, saying, "Bangladesh is facing an information war, and the US government is working to counter media-based disinformation. President Trump’s statement about US funding for certain individuals in Bangladesh is misleading and has been amplified by those seeking to destabilise relations between the two countries.
Similarly, claims about US military activities in St Martin’s isle are false propaganda spread deliberately by certain groups. The previous government propagated disinformation against foreign nations to conceal its own corruption and irregularities."
Highlighting the importance of democratic stability, he added, "US policy toward Bangladesh has remained consistent since 1971. One of the greatest challenges in Bangladesh’s political landscape is the lack of accountability among ruling parties. A strong military-civilian relationship is vital for democratic development, as authoritarian rule is never conducive to democracy."