Protect country's interests, uphold real image

"An atmosphere of change has begun to blow in the political and economic arena of South Asia. New developments have been observed also in the political and economic fields. There are challenges as well as potential and scope brought in these changing

scenario," Khaleda, also the newly elected Saarc chairperson, told rank and file of the foreign ministry yesterday.

Thanking them all for their efforts in successfully hosting the great event, she urged them to face the future challenges and utilise the scope and possibilities.

The prime minister was addressing the officials and employees of the foreign ministry at the ministry to give them thanks for their relentless efforts to successfully hosting the just concluded 13th Saarc Summit in Dhaka.

This was Khaleda's first visit as a prime minister to the foreign ministry during her current tenure.

"You will have to always think how to protect the interests of Bangladesh under any circumstances and atmosphere... you'll have to innovate creative working strategy and implement those," she told the function also attended by Bangladesh high commissioners and ambassadors to different countries, here on the occasion of the regional summit.

She mentioned that the world situation now is much complex than any time before--and adverse, too, in some respects.

"The traditional trend and ways are not enough to face such situation. Now much alertness and awareness is essential in diplomacy. More intelligence, skill,

activism and eagerness are an imperative," she observed.

The prime minister observed that "diplomacy has now almost taken shape as front war" and propaganda is a strong weapon in this battle. "Our country has also fallen

prey to it. Organised propaganda and false campaigns are going on against Bangladesh in the external world," she said.

Referring to various national and international successes of Bangladesh, Khaleda said these achievements would have to be projected in the international arena through proper programmes to build up positive image of Bangladesh.

She urged the diplomats to play more proactive role in this regard.

Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan, who also spoke on the occasion, presented the prime minister a replica of late president Ziaur Rahman's excerpts from letters

written to heads of state and government with the urgency of forming the Saarc.