Former US diplomat John Danilowicz has dismissed claims that the United States played a role in Bangladesh’s political transition during the July uprising, calling such allegations “a myth” propagated by the previous government and its supporters.
Speaking as a special guest at a seminar titled “The Significance of the July Revolution in US-Bangladesh Relations: Looking Back, Moving Forward” at North South University (NSU) on Monday morning, Danilowicz said there has been no evidence to support these allegations.
The event was organised by NSU’s South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) and presided over by NSU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Atiqul Islam.
“I have spoken with US officials and found no evidence to substantiate these accusations. When I asked those making the claims to present proof, they could not provide any,” Danilowicz said.
“In fact, we have evidence that the US was not involved in Bangladesh’s recent political changes.”
Danilowicz, who formerly headed the political section at the US Embassy in Dhaka, drew parallels between last year’s political upheaval and the events surrounding the military-backed caretaker government of 2007-08.
“Many believe the US directly orchestrated the events leading to January 11, 2007, but that is not true,” he stated.
“The decisions regarding Bangladesh’s governance during those two years were made by the country’s military leadership. However, this does not mean the US had no concerns about the events leading up to that time or that it did not engage with Bangladesh during that period,” he said.
Danilowicz said that similar unfounded narratives are now being used regarding the July-August 2024 uprising.
“We must separate myth from reality,” he said.
The seminar’s keynote paper was presented by Muhammad Sufifur Rahman, former Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in Geneva and Senior Research Fellow at SIPG.
The discussion, moderated by SIPG Director Sheikh Toufique M. Haque, also featured Prof. M. Shahiduzzaman of Dhaka University, NSU Business School Dean A.K.M. Waresul Islam, and BGMEA President Faisal Samad.
