The BNP has blamed the AL for its negative propaganda to explain this defeat. It is also being said in BNP circles that the dispatch of a pro Awami League ex-diplomat to Turkey during the foreign ministers' meeting was another reason for our defeat. This is wishful thinking. It is time that the BNP wakes up and accepts the responsibility for its actions. It is true that the AL did involve itself in negative propaganda against the candidate. But then there are many valid reasons to do so for everyone except the few people who chose this candidate. The candidate lost because he had no credentials for the post. He has no exposure to international diplomacy; nor has he any exposure to the Arab world or for that matter in the Muslim world. His opponents had far better credentials in diplomacy against his ex-ministerial credentials that were of no consequence for the post for which he was contesting.

Then there is also the crucial matter of Malaysian wrath against our candidature for it had requested us to withdraw, but we did not and Malaysia has the ability to rub us the wrong way on the manpower issue. Did the foreign ministry take this into consideration? Then the FM visited Turkey on a bilateral trip and came back and gave an upbeat assessment of our candidature. He should be questioned why he had no clue that Turkey had indeed launched a formidable candidature. Then we need also to put the Ambassador in Turkey on the dock. Did he know that Turkey would run away with the post like it did? Finally, why did the Saudis not back us? The Bangladesh Ambassador in Riyadh has a lot of explaining to do. We spent close to Tk 22 crore on this venture. This is public money and we need answers.