Credit for July-Aug Uprising Belongs to BD’s People: Ex-US Diplomat

"The uprising was born, rose, and culminated in Bangladesh. The people of Bangladesh, and only them, deserve credit for ending the previous dictatorship and for this fourth chance to build a democracy," he said.

Danilowicz made the remarks during a discussion titled "A New Dawn in Dhaka: Navigating the Dynamics of Bangladesh-U.S. Relations after the Mass Uprising," hosted by the Center for Governance Studies (CGS) at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) auditorium. The session featured former US Ambassador to Bangladesh William B. Milam and was moderated by CGS Executive Director Zillur Rahman.

The event drew diplomats, politicians, academics, business leaders, journalists, and students, all engaged in a lively discussion about Bangladesh’s political future.

Regarding the Awami League’s participation in upcoming elections, Danilowicz stated that it was a decision for the people of Bangladesh to make. "This is the toughest question Bangladesh faces now," he admitted.

On the matter of accountability, Danilowicz stressed that participation in elections was not the sole measure. "The International Crimes Tribunal process and legal mechanisms for accountability are equally important," he noted.

Danilowicz acknowledged past flaws in US foreign policy, particularly during Bangladesh’s 2007-08 One-Eleven crisis, when the US failed to focus sufficiently on institutional reforms. He added that the current interim government in Bangladesh appears to be learning from those past mistakes, with public support behind its efforts.

Both Danilowicz and Milam discussed the US commitment to supporting Bangladesh's democracy, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships. Milam mentioned efforts in the US to raise awareness about Bangladesh’s democratic process and highlighted a small initiative that had secured funding to support the country’s democratic trajectory.

Danilowicz underscored the importance of democratic stability and noted that US policy toward Bangladesh had remained consistent since 1971. He stressed that a strong civil-military relationship was vital for democracy to thrive, warning against the dangers of authoritarian rule.

He also addressed the challenges of "information warfare," noting that the US government is actively working to counter media-driven misinformation. Danilowicz dismissed claims made by former President Donald Trump regarding US funding for specific individuals in Bangladesh, calling it a misleading attempt by groups seeking to destabilize relations.

Regarding rumors about US military activities on Saint Martin's Island under Sheikh Hasina’s government, Danilowicz condemned these as baseless and malicious, claiming they were spread to cover up corruption and irregularities within the former government.

He further advocated for the alignment of US and European Union funding policies with Bangladesh’s ongoing reforms and stressed the need for Bangladesh to recover assets siphoned off abroad over the past 17 years to support governance reforms.

The discussion also touched on the critical role of Bangladeshi expatriates in promoting accountability through institutional and financial support, as well as the importance of an active civil society. Both Danilowicz and Milam agreed that media plays a key role in strengthening democracy, with Danilowicz urging support for citizen journalism.

During the Q&A session, the two diplomats answered questions from students, politicians, and civil society members, elaborating on the future of Bangladesh-U.S. relations and the country’s democratic prospects.