PROFESSIONAL LUNCHEON
Hasan Mahmud,
State Minister for Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of Bangladesh

The speech and Q & A will be in English.

Southern Asia has been in the news ever since the United States declared war on terrorism after the 9/11 attacks. The fall of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan has shifted the battle zone eastward as supporters of the Taliban and al-Qaeda have re-emerged in the tribal areas of Pakistan to attack ISAF forces in Afghanistan and their old ally, the Pakistan army. This precarious situation poses a serious threat to all South Asia, as was seen by last year's terror attack in Mumbai. Bangladesh also faces terrorist infiltration and incidents in recent months have put the government on high alert. The country has now returned to democratic rule after two years of a military-controlled government.

The December 2008 general election in Bangladesh has been cited by observer groups as one of the most free and fair held in a developing country in recent years, with the results giving a massive mandate to a secular, nationalist alliance headed by the Bangladesh Awami League. The ruling alliance now faces the greater challenge of not only managing the economy at an extremely difficult time, but also of containing the threat of terrorism in the predominantly Muslim nation. Dr. Hasan Mahmud, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, will brief the media on the measures being taken to overcome these formidable challenges and also discuss how democracy is gradually taking root in a country that has long experienced repeated military takeovers.

Mahmud completed his Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry at Limburg University in Belgium in 2001. In the same year, he was appointed special assistant to the leader of the then-opposition Bangladesh Awami League, Sheikh Hasina. Mahmud worked on foreign affairs and human rights and was appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs after December's election.

MENU
Sandwich Plate: Pastrami on campagne with pickles.
Hot Plate: Sauteed perch with creamy curry sauce, sauteed carrots, edona & green salad.

Hasan Mahmud