National Library of Canada isl Gu Camas Acqustons and Bibliographic Services Branch Gregor) aa NOTICE The quality of this microform is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original thesis submitted for — microfilming. Every effort has been made to ensure the highest quality of reproduction possible. If pages are missing, contact the university which granted the degree. Some pages may have indistinct print especially if the original pages were typed with a poor typewriter ribbon or if the university sent us an_ inferior photocopy. Reproduction in full or in part of this microform is governed by the Canadian Copyright Act, R.S.C. 1970, c¢. C-30, and subsequent amendments. Canada Drraction des aeguistions et des services bblogaphiques. 2335 rm Wetono Biblothoque natonale AVIS La qualité de cette microforme dépend grandement de la qualité de la thése soumise au microfilmage. Nous avons tout fait pour assurer une qualité supérieure de reproduction. S'ill manque des pages, veuillez communiquer avec l'université qui a conféré le grade. La qualité d'impression de certaines pages peut laisser a désirer, surtout si les pages originales ont été dactylographiées a l'aide d’un ruban usé ou si l'université nous a fait parvenir une photocopie de qualité inférieure. La reproduction, méme partielle, de cette microforme est soumise & la Loi canadienne sur le droit d'auteur, SRC 1970, c. C-30, et ses amendements subséquents.NATIONAL INTEREST AND FOREIGN POLICY A CASE STUDY OF BANGLADESH-SOVIET RELATIONS, 1980-90. by Golam Mostafa, M.A. A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Political Science Carleton University Ottawa. Ontario December 17, 1992 (c) copyright 1992, Golam MostafaNationa Library of Canat du Canada Acquisitions and Bidlographic Services Branch 85 Watingion Stet 395, m0 Wetingion ina, On ‘Gra (Oniaro) KiaoNe RiaoNt The author has granted an irrevocable non-exclusive licence allowing the National Library of Canada to reproduce, loan, distribute or sell copies of his/her thesis by any means and in any form or format, making this thesis available to interested persons. The author retains ownership of the copyright in his/her thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without his/her permission. ISBN Bipligneque nationale Direction des acquisitons et des services bblographiques U'auteur a accordé une licence irrévocable et non exclusive permettant A la Bibliotheque nationale du Canada de reproduire, préter, distribuer ou vendre des copies de sa thése de quelque maniére et sous quelque forme que ce soit pour mettre des exemplaires de cette thése a la disposition des personnes intéressées. L'auteur conserve la propriété du droit d’auteur qui protége sa thése. Ni la thése ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci ne doivent étre imprimés ou autrement reproduits sans son autorisation. n4e26 &The undersigned hereby recommend to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research acceptance of the thesis, NATIONAL INTEREST AND FOREIGN POLICY: A CASE STUDY OF BANGLADESH-SOVIET RELATIONS, 1980-1990 submitted by Golam Mostafa, H.S.C., M.A. in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy carleton University January 19, 1993Abstract The purpose of the study is to explore Bangladesh’s relations with the Soviet Union during the 1980s, through the prism of "national interest." The term is defined in a broad, general sense by including not only political, economic, ideological and strategic interests, but also social, religious, moral-psychological, emotional and other interests that are deeply rooted in history and national psyche, and that, therefore, are usually not negotiable. As an underdeveloped Third World country, heavily dependent on foreign aid, Bangladesh was not particularly interested in improving relations with the USSR during the 1980s. Its main priorities were, rather: to consolidate and strengthen sovereignty and national integrity; to play a more active role in the international arena; to secure more foreign aid, in order to spur the pace of economic growth; to reduce poverty; to maintain political stability; and to cope with recurrent natural calamities and disasters. On the other hand, Moscow's interests in Bangladesh were guided by general Soviet foreign policy goals, interests and priorities in the Third World. Bangladesh’s relations with the USSR during the 1980s were mainly guided and influenced by external factors, particularly the military regimes’ security perceptions, and their political and economic interests. India, the main Soviet ally in the non-communist Third World, was considered to be aithe primary security threat. Close, friendly relations with the West, China and conservative Muslim states were consequently believed to serve the political and economic interests of the nation. Ideologically, major political parties and social/interest groups in Bangladesh, with the notable exception of the Awami League and pro-Moscow communist. parties, were anti-Soviet, disinterested in "Perestroika," and supportive of the governments’generally negative policies towards the Soviet Union. In fact, there was no subjective or objective catalyst for any real improvement of Bangladesh- Soviet relations during the 1980s. The end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the USSR created a positive context, conducive to the improvement of Bangladesh’s relations with Soviet successor states. aiiAcknowledgenents In the process of writing this dissertation, I received encouraging help and assistance from many individuals and institutions. At the foremost, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to my supervisor, Professor Carl G. Jacobsen, who always encouraged me to write this dissertation, and provided thoughtful and valuable comments and suggestions that helped to imrrove the work. He meticu- lously read the manuscript several times and patiently helped edit (and re-edit) the work. I also thank Professor Teresa Rakowska-Harmstone, a member of my supervisory board, for her extensive coments ‘and suggestions which led to both substan- tive and stylistic improvements of the thesis. I also thank Professor Elliot Tepper, another member of the board for his comments. I would like to express sincere thanks to Professor John Sigler who, despite his busy schedule, kindly read the chapter on Methodology, and helped to improve it. I am greatly indebted to the Bangladesh institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Dhaka, for granting me study leave to complete the Ph.D. program, and tor providing me with all facilities during my field research in Bangladesh. I am particularly grateful to my colleague, Mrs. Saleha Sultana, the Chief Librarian of the BIISS, who took the trouble to send me important documents and other materials needed for my work. I am also thankful to Dr. Ifthekharuz— zaman, my colleague and friend at the BIISS, for his valuable help and suggestions. And I would like to thank Mr. A.B.M. Abdus Salam, Counselor of the Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa, for his generous help and co-operation. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to some special friends and individuals for their help and assistance: Dr. Shaukat Hassan, a former fellow of the Canadian Institute for International Peace and Security; Dr. Abhijit Karmaker, a former Professor of Dhaka University; Professor Mushtaq-ur Rahim, a Professor of Punjab university, Pakistan; and Mr. Chris Adams, my course-mate and office-mate at the Department. I would like to thank the AUCC for providing me with a scholarship to complete the program. Last, but not least, I would never have completed this study without the help and support of my family, my wife Fatema, my son Abed, brother Ali and my parents. Despite the generous help of all these people, I am fully responsible for any error, mistake and failing of the work. iv