The Role of Information and Communications Technologies and Promoting Bangladesh-U.S. Dialogue

Good morning and thank you Professor Ilahi. It is a great honor for me to appear here before you at the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), and I thank you for your invitation to do so. I have done a little research over the Internet on IUT and learned about the terrific support provided to your institution by the Organization of the Islamic Conference. I am impressed at the range of courses you offer in engineering and technology, in both technical and vocational capacities. Given the number of Islamic countries represented in the student body, I also appreciate the link you symbolize between an honorable faith stretching over centuries and the modern, 21^st Century challenges that can be answered by new and innovative engineering and technology. As future technological leaders and entrepreneurs, all of you will have an important impact on the shape and direction of your nations and your culture.

I am hoping here today that we can have a conversation, not just a one-way flow from this podium to you, but the chance to really share some ideas. As our new Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice indicated about her personal priorities, it is important that the United States continues to have a dialogue with the rest of the world, not engage in a monologue. I look forward to listening to you about your priorities and your ideas on how we can work even closer together.

I come here today as the United States Coordinator for Communications and Information Policy at the Department of State. The Department of State has primary authority in the U.S. Government for establishing U.S. foreign policy with respect to international communications and information policy, in close coordination with numerous other Government agencies. As Coordinator I take the lead within our government on developing and articulating our policy with other countries on information and communications issues. I also work to ensure that our outreach to other nations on telecom issues supports our foreign policy goals and direction. I seek to work with countries throughout the world as they strive to create an environment that will spur the growth of the information and communication technology sector.

Technology's Role in Development

Recognizing the central role that these technologies play in economic and social development, it has been a key element of my work to focus international attention on the issues related to information and communication technologies, and their uses for economic and social development. I have sought to do that in multilateral forums, such as the UN and the International Telecommunication Union, with regions, such as South Asia, and here today with individual countries like Bangladesh. Bangladesh has played an important role in these forums and Minister Khan and others have been key collaborators and leaders.

I know how important new communications linkages have been to Bangladesh, where much of your population lives in small, remote villages. The introduction of wireless phone service and the Internet are transforming lives in ways unimaginable only a decade or so ago. The Internet in fact provides tremendous opportunities for economic and social development. It has become a key medium for communicating information and ideas and conducting business. It has promoted education through distance learning, facilitated scientific advancements through sharing of research, and expanded the reach of health care through telemedicine. It has provided a whole new set of opportunities for engaging the world. It has changed the way we live, learn, and work, and it will continue to transform our lives.

The Internet holds in it the promise to fundamentally alter the way and capability of national, regional and the international economies deliver tangible benefits to their people. It can both challenge and empower how governments and the international community confront economic hurdles and take advantage of new economic possibilities. Here in Bangladesh new technologies such as the Internet and wireless communications have connected previously isolated villages and populations, while giving businesses the chance to operate on a global scale previously unimaginable. Locally, too, the Internet has opened up new prospects for economic activity in trade, retail and investment to name but a few. However, it is also true that the global information highway can be a path for less desirable things that pose additional challenges to governments and societies. Governments have an obligation to recognize these consequences and seek a balanced way of dealing with them without discarding the very real positive impact of the Internet.

Just as importantly, advances in global information architecture have also promoted the cause of freedom. Democracy is strengthened by the access to knowledge. The sharing of ideas made possible through the Internet, mobile phones, satellite TV, and other connections both within a country as well as to the rest of the world can have a powerful impact on how people relate to their government and what they expect from it.

The Bangladesh Example

Bangladesh is an encouraging example of a country that has taken the democratic path. In the three decades since your independence, Bangladeshis have built a growing, confident nation using the talents of your most precious resource -- your people. In my short time in this country, the energy is apparent. As you continue your steady economic progress your society will increasingly be faced with a choice as to how it engages the world and on what terms. Democracy is often not the easiest choice but is always the right one. In my travels around the globe I have observed that societies that respect the needs and hopes of their people and seek their place in the international economic system are much better positioned to prosper and succeed. With your permission, I would like to say a few more words about democracy and human freedom.

No doubt about it, democracy is a messy process. As the renowned British statesman Winston Churchill once said about democracy, it "is the worst form of government except for all the others."

As a fellow democracy, we seek to work with Bangladesh and all other nations that value freedom, in the words of President Bush, to “seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.” President Bush also pointed out that "division among free nations is a primary goal of freedom's enemies. The concerted effort of free nations to promote democracy is a prelude to our enemies' defeat." In Bangladesh, with its tradition of moderation and toleration, we are optimistic about the future of freedom and democracy. Bangladeshis have fought hard and shed blood for the right to vote and to be governed democratically.

Community of Democracies

As a diplomat, I look for ways to contribute to the achievement of the goals of freedom and democracy. As Secretary of State Rice has said, diplomacy is the tool for attaining these universal goals. We, with the other democracies of the world, have three great tasks, she said. The first is uniting the community of democracies in building an international system based on our shared values and the rule of law. The second is strengthening the community of democracies to fight the threats to our common security and alleviate the hopelessness that feeds terror. And the third is spreading freedom and democracy throughout the globe.

The United States will also continue to work to support and uphold the system of international rules and treaties that allow us to take advantage of our freedom, to build our economies, and to keep us safe and secure. We face many challenges. Disease and poverty have the potential to destabilize whole nations and regions. Corruption can sap the foundations of democracy. We must do all we can to ensure that nations that make the difficult choices and do the hard work to join the free world deliver on the high hopes of their citizens for a better life. But we realize that developing a democratic society, respecting the traditions and customs of other nations will be a work in process. We're talking about the work of generations.

As democratic nations themselves, Bangladesh and the United States have witnessed the dramatic advance of democracy at the end of 20th Century. In the last quarter of that century, the number of democracies in the world tripled. And the events of the past six months have been particularly encouraging. In these six months,

We have witnessed the peaceful, democratic transfer of power in Malaysia -- a majority Muslim nation -- and in Indonesia -- the country with the world's largest Muslim population.

We have seen men -- and women -- wait in line for hours to vote in Afghanistan's first ever free and fair presidential election.

We have watched as the people of the Palestinian Territories turned out to vote in an orderly and fair election.

And the people of Iraq in impressive numbers have just exercised their right to choose their leaders, and set the course of their nation's future.

The United States has rejoiced as democracy has taken root in many Islamic and other countries as we celebrate the democracy that has existed since Bangladesh's birth as an independent nation. The American people are proud of the role that we have sought to play in spreading freedom and hope around the world regardless of race or religion.

The truth of that proposition is demonstrated by the fact that most of the world’s Muslims already live in democratic societies, stretching from Indonesia to Mali. And of course we approach our engagement in partnership with others -- not only with reformers and democratic leaders in the Muslim world, but with democratic governments and publics in Europe, East Asia and elsewhere.

Rule of Law

An integral element to an enduring democratic society is the sanctity of the rule of law. The United States has worked in a number of different ways with our partners around the world to demonstrate and help countries realize the benefits of upholding the rule of law and promoting the benefits of greater openness and transparency. In my view, information and communications technologies have an important role to play in facilitating transparency in government and in the private sector. This is certainly something we have seen in our country and something we believe Bangladesh sees the value of as well. We will continue to seek out those opportunities and take time to listen to your thoughts and benefit by your experience.

Our engagement is shaped by well-defined principles. The most important of these is that reform and modernization have to be homegrown, and their achievements home-owned. Reform and modernization can’t be imposed or sustained from outside. The help that can be offered must be tailored wisely to the conditions of each society, with full respect for its culture and history. The U.S. recognizes that freedom, by its nature, must be chosen and defended by citizens, and sustained by the rule of law and the protection of minorities, including religious minorities. President Bush recognized that “when the soul of a nation finally speaks, the institutions that arise may reflect customs and traditions very different from our own,” and emphasized that “America will not impose our own style of government on the unwilling. Our goal, instead, is to help others find their own voice, attain their own freedom and make their own way.” The future of a country rooted in freedom and loyal to the principles of democratic governance such as Bangladesh hinges on its ability to remain true to these traditions, to hold free and fair elections, to combat corruption effectively and uphold the rule of law, and to treat all citizens with equal respect and dignity.

World Summit on the Information Society

Let me now close with a few additional words about information and communications technologies and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). The first phase of the WSIS was held in December 2003 and the concluding phase will take place this November in Tunis. The global community has come together for the first time to recognize that information and communication technologies are a key element of political progress, economic growth, and social development. By agreeing to the Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, the United States reaffirmed our commitment to the importance of the use of information and communication technologies to promote peace, security and stability, and to enhance democracy, respect for human rights, open and transparent government and the rule of law. We are pleased that, through the adoption of the WSIS Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, the international community universally recognized that infrastructure development, human capacity building, and network security are critical to achieving our shared vision.

A global consensus emerged at the World Summit that a multi-stakeholder approach to the development of information and communication technologies and, in particular the Internet, is essential. Stakeholders include governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society. The delegates to WSIS identified and achieved consensus on key challenges presented by the Information Society in which we now live: First, governments affirmed their commitment to freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Second, governments agreed that achieving ubiquitous and affordable access to information and communication infrastructures and services requires a stable policy and regulatory environment that attracts private investment, fosters competition, and promotes the development of human capacity through education and training. Third, WSIS also recognized that building confidence in the security of information and communication technologies is critical and that cooperation is needed to foster a global culture of cyber security. Fourth, WSIS acknowledged the importance of intellectual property protection to the Information Society.

The next phase of WSIS will provide the nations of the world with an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of freedom of expression, promotion of democracy, advancement of scientific research and development, human capacity building, infrastructure development, growth of the Internet and a continued leadership role for the private sector, and network security. Realization of six core principles can promote the continued growth, reliability, and stability of the Internet and encourage innovation.

Working together, the U.S. and Bangladesh can:

1. Promote effective competition to maximize the benefits of the Internet,
2. Recognize the roles of all participants in the Internet's development.
3. Support continued private sector leadership
4. Avoid excessive regulation
5. Ensure the stability and security of networks.
6. Embrace the global, collaborative and cooperative nature of the network

Let me thank you again for your kind invitation to speak with today. I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.