Visiting US Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia Atul Keshap has urged Bangladesh’s political leaders to seize opportunities and work together for “an open political and participatory” process.
Speaking to the media on Monday, he said America would not dictate what exactly needs to be done. That, he said, the people of Bangladesh would decide.
“We are just saying there is an opportunity and you should use the opportunity. We respectfully say seize the opportunity and show the world you are investing in democracy, you are perfecting your democracy,” he said.
“…leaders can see opportunities and take that,” he said replying a question whether US prefers any date of holding fresh elections as it did not find the Jan 5 parliamentary election credible.
After the polls, that BNP and its allies boycotted, US said they wanted fresh elections soon based on an agreement on the nature of the poll-time government.
Keshap did not pinpoint what political opportunities currently prevailing in Bangladesh but said “there are moments that come at the political moment in Bangladesh, and find that opportunity and work together”.
A career US Foreign Service Officer from Virginia, Keshap, as Deputy Assistant Secretary, works closely with Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal.
He arrived on Saturday, his first visit after he took charge in October last year. He leaves Dhaka on Tuesday.
During his stay, he met the Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi, Security Affairs Adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, senior BNP leaders, and members of the civil society, among others.
He said US had a robust engagement with Bangladesh and “we will continue to have robust engagement”.
“We have a lot of things on our diplomatic calendar with Bangladesh. We are working on upcoming talks, trade issues, and security issues”.
He mentioned US’ ongoing development activities in Bangladesh and said US laid the “highest importance” on its relations with Bangladesh.
“We are investing heavily for the economic success of Bangladesh,” he said. Americans admire “Bangladesh’s passionate devotion to democracy, and their passionate commitment to peaceful electoral politics”.
“When Americans look at Bangladesh, they look at a very pluralistic diverse country that celebrates its diversity and cherish what it has achieved,” he said.
He said there were many important issues to be pursued between the peoples of the two countries through their governments.
He reiterated that violence in a democratic political process was “completely unacceptable” and that the US rejects it as “tactics in elections”.
“We continue to make it very clear in our engagement,” he said.
Keshap urged all political parties “to ensure a safe and peaceful political space where all parties and all individuals can participate freely and they can rely upon that space and use responsibly”.
“We believed it is important there will be dialogue among and between all of the political parties to agree in way forward that can result in elections that can be deemed credible, free, and fair by Bangladeshi people”.
He also emphasised protection of human rights and that law enforces do not engage in activities with impunity.
Source: Bd news24
