Our generals have promoted themselves. The Army chief is now a full fledged 4 star general and for the first time in history we also got an air marshall and a vice admiral for our Air force and Navy respectively. Congratulations, dear Generals.
And everybody got equal share of the pie. Ma General Masud was promoted to be Lt Generals and PSO AFD. Maj gen Zahangir is also lt general now and has become the QMG. We have a new GOC for the 9th infantry division, General Ashab.
So far what I read in newspapers, this promotion was very much needed and justified esp for our country’s status in international platforms. On this issue we definitely support this promotion. At least we should support any attempt to help uphold the status of the country in front of the world. If the number of 4 star generals can do that, let it be. It is more important when the fame of the country’s democratic tradition is seriously being questioned in the international arena.
However I do not know of any fact or logic which might have been used to debate against this promotions. I have no way to know this because no newsppaper in Bangladesh will be able to write anything not supporting this and no politicians in Bangladesh will be able to speak against it. This is simply unthinkable in current Bangladesh.
I, however, would raise a concern here about this promotions. Couldn’t this very important defence matter have waited until an elected government takes office? Shouldn’t have this been discussed in our ntional parliament?
How morally different this is from the practice of the parliament members exempting themselves of taxes of imported cars? When parliament members used to call the shots, they made laws that will benefit them. Now the generals are in charge, so major changes are made that will benefit them financially and by every other means.
Talking about moral superiority. Who has that?
In the Middle of Nowhere 
May 24, 2007 at 6:31 pm
A lieutenant general usually commands corps formations, while a major general commands divisions. The Bangladesh Army does not have any corps. Having a lieutenant general as chief of staff barely made sense. This new move is completely asinine.
May 24, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Man i’m scared to even say all the things I feel about this. Rumi is right: it’s same like lawmakers giving themselves benefits.
But jinishpotrer dam ja bartese, they could use promotions and salary raises. Give em a break guys.
But this has another motive. They’re sick of having to listen to these weak civilians that everyone pretends who are in control. We would be too if we were in their boots. now lot of them will move up on the Warrant of Precedence so theyll have more power over civilian secretaries and joint secretaries to control the ministries etc better
May 25, 2007 at 1:35 am
Some compare the current top brass with Zia – like Zia, these guys didn’t want to take over, but now that they are here, look at how honestly they are cleaning up the mess. Less charitable people, including many in the present company, compares them with Ershad.
This is more like Ayub Khan, who promoted himself to the post of Field Martial.
May 25, 2007 at 5:50 am
Dream comes true!! Wonder, if any journalist has any guts to ask Gen. Moeen and Masud how do they feel after this glorifying, self-promotion!!
It seems bangladesh “Moger Mulluk” hoya geshe. Anybody can promote him or herself virtually to any position. Great!
Great points, Rumi. Whats the difference between those lawmakers and generals?
May 25, 2007 at 6:03 am
Hyder’s Q.: ‘Whats the difference between those lawmakers and generals?’
Big difference. Lawmakers are accountable to the parliament and the people. They have to answer to people while asking for vote next time.
Generals are accountable to none.
May 25, 2007 at 6:24 am
So now the rank of all the secretaries will be below the rank of the generals.
So, the Secretaries of different Ministries will have to call them ‘Sir’, isn’t it?
Since the generals will hold the posts above the secretaries, the generals will have the right to instruct the secretaries, right?
Since the highest post in the civil service is now below the heads of the military services, the position of civil service in Bangladesh is below the military service, correct?
May 25, 2007 at 7:36 am
I love it: a bunch of self promoters! 🙂
This actually is quite funny. Shame apparently is not in the lexicon.
On a more serious note, this could be another sign of an exit strategy taking shape. Some sublte changes are taking place – and some, like this, not so subtle. I guess if it takes giving them another star to stick on their uniforms to get them back into the barracks, it may be a small price to pay.
On the other hand, they may just be drunk with power 🙂 Okay, I can’t help it, there is too much comedy here. Why not go all the way to “Generalissimo”?
May 25, 2007 at 7:56 am
To None,
I think it does not pay any dividend sparing time after this discussion? How much benefits can be derived from their promotions? 4 Lt Gen and 1 Gen will cost maximum 25 thousands extra money monthly from government fund.
There is no scope that can create awkward relationship between these Generals and top most civil servants.
There is no scope to exercise extra judicial authority over the civil servants by military men, and there is no record as well.
Misunderstandings between lower level members between services were there and may remain in future which are very obvious that were never sponsored by high officials.
There is no serial for Lt Gen in the Warrant of Precedence please. Maj Gen are in serial 16 including Secretaries and CAS (not Gen) and other Chiefs of Navy and Air Force is at serial 12 including principal secretary to the Government. So they will have no more power over civilian secretaries and joint secretaries to control the ministries etc better. So now the rank of all the secretaries will not be below the rank of the Lt Generals and that were always below CAS.
So, the Secretaries of different Ministries will have NOT HAVE TO call them ‘Sir’, isn’t it?
Generals are accountable to Government, their under commands and to their ethics – they are not out of the society. They are accountable to their children, friends, families and to the people.
Generals could not win over people before and can not win in future as well.
It were a dire need for the prestige of the nation.
So, it is better not to have a try to antagonize people on a wrong stand.
ALO
May 25, 2007 at 7:59 am
The argument was not against the promotions. I have no problem with these promotions, but my concern was with the timing. Making all the promotions during this specific time could create misunderstanding.
May 25, 2007 at 8:17 am
ALO, funny that you think these promotions do not make much difference!
You said: ‘There is no scope that can create awkward relationship between these Generals and top most civil servants.’ How do you know that it won’t create any difference? Have you ever spoken to the members of the civil service?
What a strange logic, ‘4 Lt Gen and 1 Gen will cost maximum 25 thousands extra money monthly from government fund’.
Do you think that the reason behind these promotions was to draw an extra amount of ’25 thousand’ monthly from the government fund? Please don’t make me laugh.
May 25, 2007 at 8:19 am
I felt it is important to highlight some aspects on this post so that people know it right. If some one wants to constructively argue with my points please do so with valid points and not emotion.
First, let me put it right. Generals do not promote themselves. There is a very strong process unlike civil administration ( I am guessing). Army prepares the case and goes through the due diligence process, as it should be. It is Government that approves the promotion and the structure. Let’s not undermine the authority of our governement. However, if the assertion is satirical, I have no say. If we simply refuse to believe that civil authority has the highest say in terms of startegic military decision, we are not helping ourselves either.
For record, the case of present restructuring is not a one day decision. The due process started long before. The debate, the analytical assessment, the merits and the demerits, along with the needs were throroughly analyzed and studied for last more than a decade and the elected civil government (Both AL and BNP) was very much updated and involved in the process.
For record, General Mustafiz, was the one who was promoted to the rank of full General in Office during AL. He happens to be SH’s relative. Osmani was Colonel in office but was honored with the rank of higher General (I have to check). Like this case, some day our CAS rank along with other chief was upgraded to Lt Gen. Some day in future it will be again upgraded to the next higher rank. The ranks are their not for theoretical showcase but for some practical requirements. Not every body knows that as not everybody is a subject matter expert. Military is a vast science. While doing my MBA, my professor, Dr. Power, A Wharton fellow, presented all of us a book, that details arts of business which is a business version of the book “Art of War” by one of the greatest military thinker, Tsun Tzu, of China. The book is considered a bible for military thinkers and the same is being moderated for business use. We loved it.
As for the others getting the equal share of the pie: it is a natural process of restructuring when the CAS is upgraded there will be a chain effect. These are not whimsical decision. However much we dislike this, matter such as this remains and will remain an internal military decision which will be shared on a need to know basis.
“I do not know of any fact or logic which might have been used to debate against this promotions.”…It is normal Rumi and nothing to be worried about. This job belongs to military, not outsiders and the process started long back (more than a decade, I guess). Under normal situation such cases are not a news material. It is an internal military matter which is an administrative, strategic, and a policy decision. Our military is quite dynamic, and many such issues are possibly going on within, which will be materialized in future. I am assuming.
About waiting until an elected government comes to power: It could have. But there is no fault in not waiting as well. First, from my knowledge, all the elected governments were well aware of the process. That today, an elceted government is not in power is not a fault of the administration (civil or military) of country. And so why should state matters (both military and civil) await for the folly of political parties! Should this logic be accepted, than hundreds of decision should wait till an elected government comes to power. Many more significant issues are being handled by this CTG. In fact they have moved mountains in some cases. Case in Point: Ctg Port, efficiency increase and cost reduction by 40% and 30%. All ensured under military supervison.
As for discussion in the parlianment, I am not sure if that is a must. When the warrants of precedence was changed for our VCs, and some other posts, by Yajuddin few days back, we saw no need to discuss that issue in parliament. Done with Presidential approval just over a day. When the pay of DCs was increased one notch up, couple of years back, none saw the need to discuss that issue in the parliament. I am not debating that it can not be discussed in the parliament, but that not every thing need to be discussed in the parliament. Specially a parliament where not every one will understand the merit of discussion. (No need to highlight names like Hazari, Pintu, so and so forth….). I am optimistic that the quality of parliament will definitely change in future, specially if current reform is done.
“How morally different this (promotion)is from the practice of the parliament members exempting themselves of taxes of imported cars?” – very different. In fact no comparison, at all. One is lust for money while the other is need for the institution and not personal, with insequential monetary implication. The first is the strategic need, while the later is felony, specially now that it is proved when you get Hummer and mercedes on road. The first serves the institution and the country, the later serves individual. The first is a structural necessity, the later is related to greed (we know how many cars were imported and sold). Even though Lawmakers are theoretically supposed to be accountable ( spare me please!), in reality we definitely have seen how accountable they were. Even if you talk about monetary implication, the first may make a difefrence of a thousands or two, while later makes a difference of even a crore ( car like Hummer and BMW, by the by, a dishonest MP, I know sold the permit for 75 Lac +).
Post # 1: “Lieutenant General usually commands corps formations, while a Major General commands divisions.” If that is the case how could having a Maj General as Chief make sense! You said: “Having a lieutenant general as chief of staff barely made sense”. If you are a military expert, I would not argue with you because you are then mischief. If you are not then you only confound the matter with lacjk of knowledge. As for the “Corp Concept”, are you sure if Bangladesh is not moving in that direction! I am sure, matters of strategic importance should not be discussed in an open forum! If you are not a military analyst, you have to wait to see how army reorganizes itself. If I get it right from your logic, it would have made sense to have a General, if we had Corp. We have to get strategic intelligence from military but unfortunately that will not be an open discussion, I am afraid.
Post # 2: I am inquisitive, if you can furnish the difference of pay between the two rank to substantiate your satirical comment. If you find it, don’t get shocked to see the insequencial difference compared to the crores and lacs made of imported cars by the corrupt MPs.
Post # 3; It is sad that we can even think of comparing anyone with Ayub, the person who was responsible of killing thousands. Who do we honour by that comparison!
Post # 4: You have no knowledge of how army works and so you assert that anyone can promote himself. It might be true in non-military aspects of life, not in army. If your hypothesis is correct, then military would have had a Field Marshal in 1980s and 1970s when Military was seemingly more powerful and arbitrary than the military of today. As for Journalists say: please click this: http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/05/25/d70525020126.htm or see the editorial of Daily Star of yesterday. You have your answer.
Post # 6: Anon, now at least you know that you have little knowledge about about the warrant of precedence at least after the detail post of Alo. Post # 8.
Mash, this is no exit strategy. If it were, we must appreciate military for preparing this exit strategy 10 years back. The fact is Military take over is out of question and you simply refuse to believe that. Anyway, I am assuming that you may be anything but a military expert.
A long post but I thought it was needed.
Thanks
LTT.
May 25, 2007 at 8:32 am
ALO: ‘Generals are accountable to Government, their under commands and to their ethics – they are not out of the society. They are accountable to their children, friends, families and to the people’.
You sound like ABC, dear!
May 25, 2007 at 8:35 am
“Since the highest post in the civil service is now below the heads of the military services, the position of civil service in Bangladesh is below the military service, correct?” – No – Not Correct. You are wrong.
You did too much of oversimplification, hence this confusion. Military service is not under civil service and not vice versa. They are two different lines with specific task. They are both under Civil Government. Military subservient to Civil does not mean subservient to civil service. It means that it is under the civil government / authority. Who is below whom or above whom: following example should clarify your confusion.
1. A Second Lieutenant is junior to a DC according to warrant of precedence. Does not mean that army is junior to civil service.
2. A DC is junior to a Brigadier General. Does not mean that civil service is junior to army.
3. Civil and military are two lines of service that work hand in hand.
4. Secretary of Manpower of Women welfare has no military expertise hence can not command military.
5. A Maj General has nothing to do with Women welfare hence can not command that secretariat.
6. So it has got nothing to do with who is where.
7. An example: look into the British warrant of precedence.
8. You must have heard Sir Gen General Sir Richard Dannatt. He is a 5 Star General. Point to note: not all head of civil brach is decorated with Sir.
9. Feel it by heart: This guys serving Military are bound and willing to give their life and blood for the country. Tyou and me might be willing but not bound.
I hope this will clarify your misunderstanding.
LTT.
May 25, 2007 at 8:42 am
The highest rank of civil service should also be elevated then… may be to the rank of deputy minister.. so that the level of the chiefs of civil and military services remain the same.
May 25, 2007 at 8:43 am
Coorection to my previous post:
General Sir Richard Dannatt holds the post of 5 start general. CDS is a 5 star post.
Thanks
May 25, 2007 at 8:51 am
LTT, thank you for your comments, which I found informative and useful. It seems that you know a lot about both military and civil services.
Can you please explain the reasons behind these promotions? There had been so many CAS in our country in the past, why didn’t they promote themselves?
May 25, 2007 at 8:55 am
Post # 14:
That is for civil service to explore and govt to vet / approve. Not a matter of military.
If the logic is because CAS was upgraded so should it be, then it will be nonsensical as well as comical. That will talk about beurocratic bankruptcy. If there is need (of what-ever sort), be it.
The matter of military was long studied and then approved. It was not intended to put one over the other.
No need to connect the two.
May 25, 2007 at 9:03 am
LTT (# 16):
You are absolutely right! Such promotions are always, in your own words, ‘nonsensical’ and ‘comical’.
Thats why you will see so many ‘ha ha ha-s’ and smily icons/ winks at different bangladeshi blogs!
Enjoy!
May 25, 2007 at 9:04 am
Post # 16:
Anon, I did post a comment which is awaiting for moderation. I found out that if the comment is long then it does not get posted automatically. I will wait for some time to see if it is posted. Till then, allow me please to hold off posting again. My comments highlights the question you asked. It will clarify many confusing thoughts. But I will definitely answer your question which is very important. Of course from my humble knowledge.
Thanks
LTT
May 25, 2007 at 9:15 am
Post 18#
You missed my logic. I said upgrading the post should not be a tit – tat…sort of …or let’s say …because you did so will I.
I said, if there is a need for upgrade, then be it. Where was I wrong!
Thanks
May 25, 2007 at 9:20 am
LTT, no, you were not wrong (I admitted that you were absolutely correct)! But you see, self-promotions like these will always create ha-ha-hee-heees and fish-fash.
May 25, 2007 at 9:24 am
LTT said: ‘You missed my logic. I said upgrading the post should not be a tit – tat…sort of …or let’s say …because you did so will I.”
You also missed my point. There is no reason to think that, in your words: ‘It (the promotion) was not intended to put one over the other….No need to connect the two’ (post 14)
What is there is a connection? What if the promotions were actually intended to put one over the another?
May 25, 2007 at 10:00 am
Let me be a little more illustrated in my concerns. My concern was the timing and the risk of giving a wrong ( If LTT is correct and I believe he may be correct) message to the public. What I wrote in my blog is I believe the knee jerk reaction of the street too.
If we recall history we should know that public never took this sort of military promotions very casually.
Do any of you recall the smiling face of Brig Gen Khaled Mosharraf while the Navy and Air Force chiefs putting the Maj General batch on him?
That single picture did contribute a lot to the demise of Gen Khaled Mosharraf. I am not saying the current promotion will cause the same kind of things, but it can serve as an example on how one promotion in the army can influence public sentiment.
And the much talked about promotion of Gen Mostafiz. This very issue along with the donation of Ganavaban to HAsina family were the major factors in the crushing defeat of AL in 2001 election.
And I find real lack of substance and logic behind LTT’s sweeping remarks about the MPs as felons.
I also do not buy the advise that the public should not know about the debates within the military on administrative issues like Rank upgrade etc.
It is the army of the public and by the money of the public and formed of the members of the public. Public must have a say in routine administrative matters in the military.
May 25, 2007 at 10:39 am
Either clowns or have other agenda. Either way, they are turning out more to be clowns!
May 25, 2007 at 11:05 am
Rumi, you are correct. People have the right to know whats going on, and what is the reason behind this kind of promotions.
😦
May 25, 2007 at 11:12 am
Rumi: Let me clarify my remark about the MPs before it is misconstrued. May be it sounded like a sweeping remark (My Apology), but it was not meant for the good MPs. There are good MPs as well. Unfortunately after the recent upheavels and stories of scandals related to nomination business, hummers and marcedes, it is hard to think anything else about some of them. It was meant for bad MPs. And we did have more than felons in our list of MPs. They also have their shantrashi bahini. You and I both know how true is this.
As for updating the public, of course public has right to know many things if not all (state secrets, plus sensitive informations are always kept confidential and disbursed on need to know basis). Howeevr strongly may we wish, fact remains that military was never the best case of an example of an open institution in any country, let alone Bangladesh. What goes on inside Pentagon is not a matter of public information. Let the governemnt decide what access should public have or have not. It remains under civil government and so civil government has the final say.
What I assumed from my stale knowledge, Government must have been very much involved in the decision making (Disclaimer: I am not the authority to represent military or government and so making reasonable but confident assumption from my experience).
I took the pain of posting long massage not to argue but to inform all about what I know. I agree that public perception may differ. However, just in case, it may very well be the case, that all the governemnts already approved it. In fact, I am strongly assuming they did. Like you I would not have made reservations, if we delayed it a little. But every dynamic instituion runs its own course. We have one in military.
Every event must be judged according to the background. Example: while killing is illegal, kiiling an attacker (who is about to kill me)in order to defend and save my life will not be illegal. Similarly, the back ground of Khaled Mosharrafs promotion and present case is very different (as you said), and so should be judged accordingly.
To clarify what I said:
“Public must have a say in routine administrative matters in the military.” – it may sound theoretically palatable, but practically impossible to implement in all aspect, both in military and civil service. Let me give an example:
The routine administrative matters in military includes following among an endless list:
1. Sending soldiers on leave. 2. Pay collection.
3. Arranging training. 4. Arraning seminar. 5. Arranging games and sports. 6. Promotions of officers / soldiers alike 7. Preparation for UN Mission 8. Cleanliness 9. Arranging food 10. marketting (bazar)… etc etc etc.
It is not a matter of should rather can public be involved in every routine thing!
At the same time, there will be many decisions where public will have no say at all. At tactical level how the war is to be fought is decided at military level. Government gets involved in strategic level and leave the rest to the experts. Keep in mind, all plans are made in oredr to achieve the strategic goal which is approved by the Civil government. Time to time, reviews are done to see if the actions are bringing result.
I bring this example just to explain that it is not universal imposition that public must have say always. There is nothing absolute. The military commander who fights war at tactical level is employed by the public and is trusted to run his course.
The case is similar for civil administration. They take hundreds of decision and thousands more every day. Not every thing can be vetted by public. That is why we delegate authority on appropriate level who are qualified to make decision on behalf of the public.
When a Secretary makes a decision, he makes it on behalf of public. Though he does not have to inform public why he took that decision in each and every step (and neither it is possible) until called to explain. We vest / delegate the reponsibility to him and trust his judgement to make decision.
I am not against public access to information. On the contrary I am a firm believer that public should have access based on need to know basis. Over information is sometimes not only burdensome but also worrysome. As for exercising the right to access to information, Parliamentary mechanism ensures that. The P. Committee can any time summon CAS or any Secretary or for that matter anybody to come up and explain the issue.
As for minor disagreement, we can respectfully agree to disagree on some issues. Otherwise, learning will stop if every body thinks similar.
Thanks
May 25, 2007 at 11:34 am
Let’s make one point very clear to everyone: Moeen was supposed to go into retirement on June 14th 2008. This appointment as General gives him either a 3 or 4 years of extension of service. He can now stay on as CAS at least till 2010.
The two other full Generals in our nation’s history are General Osmani, for his glorious contribution to the Liberation war, and general Mustafiz, who was given the promotion the day he went into retirement. It was theorized at that time that this was done to give him a leg up on Lieutenant General Ershad, who was also contesting from Rangpur. None of them really bear comparison with the present situation.
The Bangladesh Army does not have corp ability yet. And if they’re moving in that direction, they’d first band towards divisions to make these formations, create suitable artillery, engineering and medical formations to assist them, and then elevate their commanders to Lt. general, and the chief to General. Not the other way round.
May 25, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Post # 27: “And if they’re moving in that direction, they’d first band towards divisions to make these formations, create suitable artillery, engineering and medical formations to assist them, and then elevate their commanders to Lt. general, and the chief to General. Not the other way round.”
Are you confident that army is not moving in that direction! The capable people to decide that are Military Experts and not us. At the end of the day, all move must be approved by Government.
“It was theorized at that time that this was done to give him a leg up on Lieutenant General Ershad, who was also contesting from Rangpur.”
I am sure you would agree with me that this is a blatant example, if true (I have no idea), of using public office for naked political purpose at its worst. That is not a due process that possibly was stressed upon many times in this blog.
Thanks LTT.
May 25, 2007 at 1:21 pm
LTT:
Your efforts to inform and educate about military procedures are laudable. Thanks for taking the time.
But I am afraid you are speaking on the basis of idealized conditions. In the idealized conditions, the army is tasked to defend the nation from foreign threats and an elected government is tasked to oversee the running of matters related to the state. Here and now we do not have these conditions, unless you can point me to laws, civil or military, which describe the provisions of appointing or engaging an army officer to oversee civilian administration in the absence of a foreign threat, imminent or anticipated.
It is only under the prevailing circumstances that the timing and intent of these promotions call for the kind of concerns Rumi has articulated, with which I tend to agree.
May 25, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Dear Let’sTalkTruth,
Firstly, any citizen of Bangladesh has a right to question any military matters, given that these military forces are raised by the citizen’s money, and are tasked with defending the same citizens. Just as we are entitled to question our politicians, who are supposed to represent us, our policemen, who are supposed to uphold law and justice on our behalf, and so on.
A military expert would certainly be more knowledgable about these things that me or any other person in the street, but that does not make our concern any less valid.
May 25, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Dear Tacit,
Good Post # 30. I agree with you that any one can question any thing where our tax money is going. If you read my post you will see I have never disagreed with the right that I as a citizen must have. I took part in this thread so actively absolutely from educative perspective and not for argument sake. My deliberate assumption was that Military will never be able to get it approved on their own without the final nod from the highest office of authority. That is it.
Dear Mahmud : thanks for acknowledging my true intention. I am sure you would agree Military did not come over spontaneously. As for law, military can be called in aid of civil power to do whatever civil authority dictates. Even during election, normally an officer will not act until requested by a magistrate. I am sure that Militarys job is not to come only to stop the 1/11 and 1/22 and hand over the state control to one of the party, the next day.
To add with what you said about foreign threat, the classical role of military has changed manifold and evolved with new dimention of threat perspective. If we were to follow classical definition, military should not at all be involved in any state matters, i.e., running election, disatster management, organizing state functions (SAF games), maintaining water supply, ensuring power supply, even traffic control etc. All of these including recent impact on CTG port are ample example of what they contributed beyond the traditional definition. And all these are covered within law. Not only that, all these were dictated by and acted upon at the behest of the highest authority.
I personally don’t believe that it is the responsibility of Military to oversee civil administration but then did I say that anywhere! I actually asserted otherwise. I believe that military and civil service are tools of government and their job specification is completely different. More so, they should be complimentary to each other.
I did agree already and will concur with you again, that the timing could have been managed.
Thanks and no more post from me hopefully on this matter. LTT
May 25, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Rumi, your’re very right in timing logic. To you and many, promotion at this time may give lots of missigivings about the military leadership. But for the beneficiaries of this promotion, this is the high time because as these are days going on, their early shine is dimming very rapidly. Moreover, Hasina once promised to ratify their all jobs bu by now she has backed off. And no question of getting any support or favor from KZ, given she can exist in the field of politics; and also there is now guarantee that a pro-army third force will emerge to capture the power and reward them. So, this is the opportune momnent for self-promotion.
Now, LTT, thanks for some details of precedence of warrants about military and civil ranks and promotions. I appreciate your honest attempt to explain in positive way but can’t accept your arguement that the process of upgrading was not new and it was decade long thinking and issue. Lt General [nascent] Masud had conference with the reporters; he was questioned on the promotion issue. How he explained the logic of promotion didn’t look like it was decade long pending topic. Please look at the WEB LINK of Ajeker Kagoj Saturday [26th May, 07] about his explanation.
http://www.ajkerkagoj.com/2007/May26/1st_page.html#7
Thanks.
May 25, 2007 at 10:21 pm
For information of all:
http://www.dailyjanakantha.com/p1/html8
Thanks
LTT
May 25, 2007 at 10:22 pm
LTT,
Thanks for the good debate…thoroughly stimulating. Although the general perception is that these promotion are self serving, it was a good strategic move to strike a balance of power between civil and military administration. Successful (sometime volatile) countries have been able to achieve more stability through this partnership (notably Turkey and even the USA to certain extent by influence exerted through the NSA).
I do sympathize with the general perception though because we have been led astray so many times before. Lets hope for the best this time around.
P.S. Looking to apply to biz school in the near future, any specific advice? 🙂
May 26, 2007 at 12:31 am
Post 32 #
“I appreciate your honest attempt to explain in positive way but can’t accept your arguement that the process of upgrading was not new and it was decade long thinking and issue.”
Bitterboy, thanks for your appreciation.
You don’t have to accept my argument as mine is not an argument. It is a fact. You may take my word or contact military to get the fact. There is no scope for opinion here, trust me. The information I provided is objective and true to words. Either you take it or verify it further. I can assure you verifying will yield the same result so you can save that effort for better cause. You might have read the janakantha link as well (Post # 33). Masud did say that it started quite some time back.
Post 34 # Concerned Citizen: I would agree with you we were burnt and I wish we were not! I wish we will never be anymore. Like you I am an optimist, and hope that things this time will be like what it was during 96 and 90, when military did stand for Democracy.
As for advice on Biz School, I am afraid that if we talk about business school, that will not be a partinent topic here, hence may be censored. Yet let me dare.
Which school to choose depends on many things (your goal, age, money, aptitude, dream, etc etc etc). In US Harvard has reputation, Wharton exceeds in terms of quality, hence ranked above Harvard in many categories. My professor, Dr. Power convinced me for Wharton when I was leaning towards Harvard (I agree wishful thinking). I ended up deferring my phD in favour of job, for the moment. Anyway, Ivy league would be a good investment but it needs money. In Canada, Rotman, Schulich, and Queens, Richard Ivy or Western, UBC are all reputed and will cost less than US. On the side any university in top 50 will be a good choice.
If you need specific info, may be I can contact you. Let me know. I am afarid such generalized information will be of little help.:( If you need any info / help that I can offer from canada, I would be glad to offer.
Thanks LTT
May 26, 2007 at 12:52 am
Post # 34, Concerned Citizen:
You may as well think of CFA exam (in parallel) which is highly covetted. Statistically a CFA earns $45K more than a MBA (both having 10 years of experience, stale statistics). CFA will give you more than what a MBA will earn you. Most interestingly, you can do your CFA on your own ( I am finding it stimulating). At the same time, CFA is the highest internationally (well western, kind of) recognized professional designation just like CPA, CA, CMA, CGA, or CFP in their respective field. It gives you access to most of the countries and apart from investment / financial world, any business will be glad to hire. CFA is meant though mostly for investment professionals, it opens the world of business.
Thanks and I hope I didn’t confuse you enough 🙂
LTT
May 26, 2007 at 4:13 am
Concerned and LTT,
Thanks. It better to talk about our own future and career than to discuss about the jobs and promotions of the Generals.
😉
May 26, 2007 at 9:10 am
One clarification, comments are not censored or moderated in this specific blog. One or two comments may have been deleted in the past as they contained frank galagali.
One thing I want to emphasize is that there is a serious need of an open dialogue between the civil and defence professionals. Already a serious misunderstanding, mistrust, suspicion and even hatred have developed between these two groups. Turmoil of seventies and anti Ershad movements with which our generation grew up with may have a lot to do with it.
I understand active defence professionals may have restrictions in this sort of free flow of ideas, but retd officers, officers in UN missions and training courses abroad can act as surrogates. If a dialogue can start at NRB level, in this globalized world, this can very easily propagate in all other sectors of the society.
And with my repeat sincere efforts, unfortunately I have so far failed to engage a single defence professional who will take part in a discussion on record.
May 26, 2007 at 11:42 am
The members of neither the civil service nor the military service of BD are allowed to express their personal views at any discussion forum. Without permission from the appropriate authorites, they also can’t speak to the journalists, publish ‘letters’ (or blogs/ comments) at any newspaper or anywhere the public view. They can’t even do so when they are on study leave, deputation, or abroad. The retired officials are above the age of 57. Many of them may write columns at newspapers but blogs, I think, is a new thing for them. They won’t be comfortable expressing their views in blogs.
I think thats why you have not so far saw the professionals from civil and military services taking part in any discussion on record.
But who knows, may be memebers of both sides are already writing here with fake names/ identities! 😉
If you want the members of defence and civil services to participate in discussions at your blog you got to ensure their safety and anonymity. You will also have to announce that you will not record/ share/ publish their IP.
May 26, 2007 at 2:31 pm
The Army General of our proud miliatary Mr. Moeen in his recent talks opined that the financial corruption is not the only form of corruptions. I could agree no more than with his views. He also said the army had the time to take-over power and declare martial-law in the country. But they didn’t do it and will never do it, he assured the nation. He asserted their strong commitment not to enforce full martial refering the great quote ” Kadumbini Moria Proman Korilo Shey Morey Naiye…….”
But question props in my mind, managing the big promotions under their self-planted puppet care-taker government, is a flagrant example of non-financial form of corruption or abuse of power, for which all civilian governments [includding KZ and Hawa Bhavan] are incriminated for.
The merit and normal course of this promotion deserve query as it has happpened when there is no political elected democratic government. I can imitate Mr. Moeen by saying, ” Kadombbini Moria Proman Korilo Je Sheye More Naiye, Moeen Shahebra Aie Shomyae Promotion Neeye Proman Korilo Je Taharaoo Durniteer Urdey Noy.”
So, people can be very skeptical how far their Jeehad against corruption will see success!
Thanks.
May 26, 2007 at 3:08 pm
1st my apology to the admin for making a peronal comment but wanted to thank LTT for the insight. I am shooting for a top 15, lets see what happens.
Once again thanks
May 28, 2007 at 10:42 pm
LTT,
Thank you for clarifying a lot about the process of promotions. You have helped to inject sensibility into a topic that can get very emotional and speculative. I have three gripes still and was hoping you could shed some more light on them.
(1) Nothing you’ve said actually clears the picture about timing. If this has been planned for a long time, why does it have to be implemented right now, when even the constitutionality of the government that is in power is not clear? Wouldn’t it have been more prudent to do it at a time when a clearly constitutional and clearly representative government is in power? That way there would be no grounds for asking questions like these. Why would the military risk credibility by doing this NOW, knowing that people would question the timing? What is the specific urgency?
(2) The official reason is that this will increase the status of our military. Why this immediate need to increase the status? Why could it not wait? Were people questioning the status? Could it be that both local and foreign “observers” were becoming uneasy about how involved the military was getting in running the country? And as a result the military had to do something to increase its status or reputation? I’m asking these questions because you seem to have insider knowledge and your answers can prevent people from unnecessarily speculating bad things.
(3) The comments you’ve made that the military is under civilian command is a noble idea but it doesn’t apply in the current situation. I’m not saying that the country on Jan 11 was in any good shape. There was probably no other way but the military to come into the picture. But the fact now is a lot of things in the country are run by current and former military commanders. There are only a few of them but we all know what their powers are. Therefore we shouldn’t say any more…
Regards,
Purana Paltan
May 28, 2007 at 10:42 pm
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