The US Assistant Secretary of the Army, Dr. E. Casey Wardynski has highly admired Bangladesh’s commitment to building a professional armed forces as well as protection of freedom and democratic institutions.
Speaking as guest of honor at the 48th Armed Forces Day reception at Bangabandhu Auditorium of Bangladesh embassy in Washington, D.C. Thursday evening, he also praised Bangladesh army’s peacekeeping and humanitarian operations that has earned world-wide acclamation.
Dr. Wardynski said Bangladesh and US army shared the same values and work in great partnership which he said would continue to grow.
The Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA, Mohammad Ziauddin and Defense Attaché Brig Gen Moinul Hassan, spp, ndc, psc spoke on the occasion.
Director, Air National Guard Bureau, Lt Gen L. Scott Rice, Director, Army National Guard, Lt Gen R. Horkanson and Senior Executive and Assistant Chief of Army Reserve Stephen D Austin attended the reception as special guests.
Besides, Ambassadors, senior officials from Pentagon, Department of State and other US organizations, members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, Bangladeshi diaspora and officials of the embassy largely attended the event.
Ambassador Ziauddin said Bangladesh Armed Forces represent a great legacy of sacrifice and patriotism. Their sacrifices and contributions during Bangladesh’s liberation war have been invaluable. Besides, he said in times of natural and manmade calamities, they have becomes indispensable for their human services.
The Ambassador said the Bangladesh armed forces are also involved in internal and external security, countering terrorism and extremism, combatting smuggling and human and drug trafficking.
Saying that Bangladesh, today, is a brand name in UN peace support operation, he said at present, Bangladesh remains among the first three nations in terms of troop contributions to the United Nations with 6447 Blue Helmets in 10 countries.
On Bangladesh-US cooperation, Ambassador Ziauddin said the US government supports Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s endeavors to modernize Bangladesh’s armed forces. He appreciated the US for its technical assistance in setting up BIPSOT and making it into a globally reputed institute for training UN peacekeepers.
He hoped that professional exchanges would continue in the areas of security, strategic and development issues under the spirit of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and secure Indo-Pacific with shared prosperity for all.
Earlier, Defense Attaché Brig. Gen. Moinul Hassan delivered the welcome address.
Video clips highlighting the significance of the Armed Forces Day were screened and a celebration cake was cut at the reception.