The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Dr Iajuddin Ahmed, Wednesday asked the Army Headquarters Selection Board to rise above all personal liking and disliking and decide neutrally based on justice in selecting officers for promotion to senior posts.

"I believe, you give promotions to senior officers following specific guidelines… you'll rise above everything and find out through neutral analyses the competent officers, who will be respectful to their commands and more responsible for their subordinates," he said while addressing a meeting of the Army Headquarters Selection Board-2008 at the Army Headquarters.

The President said the officers elevated to senior posts should be temperate and also accountable to the country and the people. "I believe, your wisdom and neutrality will help build up a skilled army."

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed, PSO of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Abdul Mobeen, Quarter Master General Lt Gen Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, all Lieutenant Generals and Major Generals of the Selection Board were present at the meeting.

Terming the Bangladesh army a part and parcel of national development and advancement, President Iajuddin said the army always stood by the people and for the welfare of the nation, and hoped they would make more contributions to the welfare of the motherland in the future.

He said the patriotic army built up through the great Liberation War always has all along been playing strong role for the nation's interest.

The President expressed the hope that as members of a disciplined and professional army they would perform their duties with sincerity, honesty and firmness imbued with the spirit of highest dutifulness and patriotism.

"The honour you have earned at home and abroad through your professional excellence, dedication and dutifulness will be further consolidated and upheld in the future," he said.

Describing the Army as the symbol of independence and sovereignty as well as the nation's pride, Iajuddin said the role of army has been institutionalized in national development, maintaining internal law and order and rendering services to the humanity.

The army, he said, played a responsible role at the critical juncture of the nation on Janaury 11, 2007 rescuing the country from an anarchic situation.

Besides, he added, the Army's role in the present government's activities in curbing serious corruption and crimes have earned appreciation at home and abroad.

Praising the Army's role in preparing the voter list with photographs and national ID cards, he said this project would remain as a milestone in the country's history of democracy and advancement.

The President was also appreciative of the army's role in relief and rehabilitation work during the time of cyclone Sidr that struck the country's southern region last year. The army, he said, also earned fame for their services in tremor-hit China and cyclone-ravaged Myanmar, apart from their contributions to the UN peacekeeping missions.

He said the present caretaker government has been modernizing and expanding the armed forces so that they can efficiently face the challenges of the 21st century.

Despite economic constraints, initiatives continued to make the armed forces skilled and time-befitting by considering the importance of national defense, he added.

President Iajuddin said establishment of the Army Training and Doctrine Command would enhance the standard of overall training and professionalism of the armed forces.