World leaders shocked
Heads of state and government of different countries and international
dignitaries have expressed deep shock at the death of President Zillur
Rahman and extended their sympathy to his family members and
Bangladeshis. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday offered his
“condolences to the bereaved family of the president, the government and
the people of Bangladesh”.
Zillur Rahman made important contribution to his country’s democratic transition throughout his political life, Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement, according to the UN’s official website.
Zillur Rahman made important contribution to his country’s democratic transition throughout his political life, Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement, according to the UN’s official website.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on behalf of the government and
the people of India, in a statement said Zillur was a patriot and a man
of high ideals. An ardent advocate of friendly relations between India
and Bangladesh, he was held in high esteem by the people of India, said
Manmohan. “On this tragic occasion, we extend our deepest condolences to the
people of Bangladesh. We pray for the peace of his departed soul…,” the
statement said. Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, in a statement addressed to Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina, said, “With his passing, the people of
Bangladesh have lost a man of vision and a true son of the soil who rose
to the highest office.” Pranab, in a separate statement addressed to the president’s son Najmul
Hassan, said, “His demise is a personal loss to us…. We offer you, your
sister and the other family members of President Zillur Rahman our
heartfelt condolences and stand by you in this hour of grief.”
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the president, from his early days
as a history student and political activist, dedicated his life to the
Bangladeshi people. His efforts helped lead to the creation of
Bangladesh in 1971 and his subsequent decades of public service helped
Bangladesh establish itself as the democracy it is today. “As Bangladesh nears the 42nd anniversary of its independence, President
Rahman’s death offers a moment for all Bangladeshis to come together in
mourning and reflect on what unites them as a nation,” Kerry added.
Australian High Commissioner in Dhaka Greg Wilcock said Zillur’s life
was interwoven with Bangladesh’s history. His four years as the
president of Bangladesh followed decades of service to his nation. “Our thoughts are with President Rahman’s family and the people of Bangladesh as they mourn their loss,” Wilcock added. Afrasiab, Pakistani high commissioner to Bangladesh, said the government
of Pakistan has postponed the country’s National Day celebrations
scheduled for March 23 in the capital to mourn the president’s demise.
The president of Russia, president and prime minister of Singapore,
prime minister of Malaysia, foreign minister of Canada, prime minister
and foreign minister of Japan, president of Nepal, president and foreign
minister of Maldives, king and prime minister of Bhutan, president of
Pakistan, president of China, president and foreign minister of Iran and
king of Thailand have also sent condolence messages. Besides, the flag was kept at half mast yesterday in Bhutan. Secretaries general of the OIC, commonwealth, D-8, Swedish embassy,
Dutch ambassador and country representative of the UN Women in Dhaka
also condoled the death. Meanwhile, the 111 member arms treaty meeting presided over by the
Australian foreign minister yesterday paid respects to the Bangladesh
president in New York by observing two minutes’ silence.
Source: The Daily Star
