July 08, 2017
Assalam Alaikum, Nomoshkar, and Good Afternoon to you all.
I am delighted to be back among you here at BIPSOT for this, my third visit. I was impressed then, as I am even more so now, by what has been created here, and what potential is in store with these beautiful new facilities. Please accept my sincere appreciation for hosting this dedication today. It marks a remarkable milestone in our bilateral relationship, and reflects an enduring and longstanding partnership between our two countries. Thanks to the work of the peacekeepers trained here, the Bangladeshi military has become known throughout the world for its professionalism, bravery, and integrity. The contributions of Bangladeshi peacekeepers have proven that, as in so many other spheres, Bangladesh’s military continues to contribute immensely to global peace. Through your contributions, Bangladesh has allowed others around the world to attain what Bangladesh achieved in 1971: namely, peace among peoples, and freedom from fear. It’s no wonder that in 2002 Sierra Leone adopted Bengali as one of its official languages, in gratitude for the service and sacrifice of Bangladeshi peacekeepers.
Today, to pay homage to the brave men and women who have served Bangladesh and the world, and to honor the fruits of our bilateral partnership, I am privileged to introduce Admiral Harry B. Harris today. Admiral Harris has a long and distinguished career in service to the United States, starting with his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978. His numerous command and staff positions have included Director of Operations, U.S. Southern Command; Deputy Chief of Naval Operations; Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet; Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Admiral Harris currently serves as Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, and it is a distinct honor for me to introduce him on this important occasion.
================
*As Prepared For Delivery
In Bangla (PDF 304 KB)
