I have mixed feelings. Our Foreign Minister may have been rather "undiplomatic" (democracy today is nothing but muscle-flexing and a form of blackmailing of the weak by the strong). I find there is much truth and honesty of purpose in the deliberations made by the Foreign Minister. To my mind, he has tried to call "a spade a spade". The learned author should realise that if not of this magnitude there are issues which are not only worthy of discussion but can be hotly debated like the innumerable undemocratic practices in many of the developed countries of the world, including the most powerful nation.

Has it ever occurred to the Professor that these high profiled diplomats in the process may have a different agenda of their own? I for one no longer have any faith in this group of diplomats representing various countries of Europe and the West. May I humbly ask if the Professor would help our Mission in the USA to organise a similar seminar in Washington to discuss the innumerable flaws in the democratic processes and other conflicting political issues prevailing in these countries? Frankly, the seminar could be held on any other day "except on a Tuesday." Trust begets trust. The countries of the West have embarked on a two-fold aggression against third world countries, the silent and the violent one to culturally morally and ethically invade our countries.

These developed nations of the world are out as "aggressive vendors of Democracy and Freedom patented by them". You talk of our constitution etc. I am sorry it is not up for either dissection or discussion by a group of wise men from the West. We have our own people to do that job. Besides, today Bangladesh is passing through a most trying time in its quest for Democracy. It will come out stronger democratically and otherwise without this self-styled "imposition" by the group of western diplomats of what they call, "support, suggestion and help".