The US wants to see the continuation of democratic process and a free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh, Nisha Desai Biswal, US assistant secretary of state, said yesterday.
She was talking to civil society representatives at the residence of US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena in the evening. Biswal also said the US does not have any preference for any particular party in Bangladesh, according to meeting sources.
She said Bangladesh is a country of immense possibility and it would go a long way if it could resolve various problems.
Former foreign secretary Farooq Sobhan, Odhikar director Adilur Rahman, Shujan secretary Badiul Alam Majumder, Manzoor Hasan of Institute of Governance Studies (IGS) of BRAC University, journalist Mahfuzullah and Dr Fauzia Karim attended the meeting.
The US official arrived in Dhaka at 12:30pm yesterday from Tokyo on a three-day official visit.
Civil society members stressed the need for a permanent solution to Bangladesh’s political problems. They also underscored the importance of a free, fair, credible and participatory election.
Coming out of the meeting, Badiul Alam Majumder said they did not discuss any specific issue. “It was a social gathering. We discussed all issues.”
“She [Biswal] wanted to know about the prevailing situation in Bangladesh and its future. We’ve given our opinions. Everyone expressed their individual views,” added Majumder.
Biswal also met US embassy officials and young entrepreneurs yesterday.
She is scheduled to meet Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus and a labour delegation of Bangladesh Centre for Workers Solidarity (BCWS) this morning.
She will attend a luncheon meeting with the BGMEA leaders.
She will join a reception to be hosted in honour of a select group of politicians, civil society members, eminent citizens and editors at the residence of Ambassador Dan Mozena at 6:30pm.
Tomorrow, she will meet the secretaries of ministries of foreign affairs, commerce and labour and employment over lunch. Later, she will meet Commerce Minister GM Qader and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni.
Before leaving Dhaka for New Delhi tomorrow night, she will meet the press.
-With The Daily Star input
