Army chief targeted because PM appointed him

Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed said, "I leave it to you to answer the question why the army chief is being targeted again and again. You understand, find out why the Bangladesh Army chief is being targeted. Because the Prime Minister has appointed this army chief. To humiliate the Chief of Army Staff is to humiliate the Hon'ble Prime Minister. I am fully aware that my organization, my organization Bangladesh Army and our government should not be embarrassed or controversial because of me."

He was talking to reporters after a program at the Army Aviation Group in the capital's Tejgaon on Tuesday morning.

The Chief of Army Staff said, the Bangladesh Army is an institution that is the pride of the country and the nation. Attempts are being made to carry out various kinds of propaganda against this force. So that a confusion is created. I want to tell you unequivocally that the army is a highly trained and well-motivated force, at the same time much more integrated than before.

Claiming that the Qatar-based television channel Al-Jazeera had published false and fabricated information, he said the people of the country had rejected their documentation. He also urged everyone to be vigilant in this regard.

General Aziz said, "The chain of command of the army is very effective and every member has rejected such malpractice with hatred. Has done in the past, is still doing and is hatefully rejecting what is now. Everyone in our chain of command is aware of this. I want to assure you that such an attempt will not ignite the chain of command of the army."

He added, "The army respects the constitution of the country. Committed to the consolidation of the Constitution and loyal to the Government of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Government is always ready to obey any order. We are constitutionally sworn to deal with any problem in Bangladesh, whether it is internal or external."

Asked about a documentary aired on Al-Jazeera about family members, he said, "If someone is acquitted of a crime or convicted, can he or she be convicted of that? There is an explanation for the propaganda being spread about my brothers. You will be notified shortly by a press conference on behalf of the family. I am fully aware of the image of the Army as Chief of Army Staff. I am aware of what can be done to tarnish the image of the army and what can be done to reduce my responsibilities. When I met my brother in Malaysia, there was no case against him," he said. That was a conspiracy case, from which he was then acquitted. He escaped in March, I went to Malaysia in April. As a result, the propaganda that Al-Jazeera is running is completely malicious. The day I met him, there was no case against him, no punishment. They will be able to insert cutpieces from different places, but their purpose will not be achieved."

He thanked the journalists and said, "You have answered with your pen. That is why I am grateful. The army may not be able to take any action against them, but the ministry concerned may take action against them."