Tony Blair not welcome

I am disappointed to read that Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, will be coming to Dhaka with his wife on a private visit. I am disappointed that Bangladesh issued him and his wife a visa given his global reputation as a religious zealot and one of the prime architects of the current global turmoil — namely the protracted wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Blair blatantly misled the British parliament and the British people when he stated that Iraq had the weapon to attack within 45 minutes and used it as an excuse to invade Iraq. In doing so not only did he violate international laws and wage an illegal war but also caused unprecedented death and destruction in those countries. This is a man who will be remembered as one of the biggest liars of this century. This is a man who is an international war criminal.
   Why then is such a character being allowed entry into a country that is in the process of trying its own war criminals? Why is such an individual — visiting in a private capacity — being given VVIP treatment? Does that not lower the stature of Bangladesh in the eyes of the world? How can Bangladesh expect any respect or credit from the world community when it bestows state honours on a man like Blair whose religious zealousy is still causing so much pain and anguish to innocent victims of his ‘crusade’?