Ashraful flays ‘excessive’ media attention on foreign diplomats

Ruling Awami League leader Syed Ashraful Islam has criticised the media for paying “extra attention” to Western diplomats.These diplomats often push Bangladesh’s bickering political parties to sort out differences at the times of deadlock.They receive huge media coverage in Bangladesh.

“The third-class officials (diplomats), who have no significance in their own countries, are sent here (Bangladesh),” Ashraf told reporters on Saturday.

“You (the media) guys run after them as if they are your saviours.”

The LGRD and cooperatives minister had commented on the status of diplomats in the past too.

Last year, he dubbed US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal a ‘petty’ and ‘worthless’ minister during her visit last November.

He went on to call then US ambassador to Dhaka Dan Mozena a "housemaid”.

‘Civil society’

Ashraf dubbed intellectuals as “opportunists” and criticised civil society representatives who advised the political parties on various topics.

“Who gave you the title ‘civil’?” Ashraf asked and then answered himself, “They call themselves that.”

The Awami League leader said the TV stations brought in these so-called “civil society representatives” to fill in the void in the absence of “learned” men.

According to him, these learned men stay away from talk shows in the absence of a congenial atmosphere.

This ultimately led to the deterioration of quality of the shows.

He then offered a piece of advice. “Many will come forward to join your talk shows if you can create a suitable atmosphere.”