UK senior foreign office minister Baroness Warsi, who came to Dhaka on a one-day visit on Thursday, stressed the importance of free, fair and transparent elections saying that the acceptability of the elections would be determined by the people of Bangladesh.
Warsi visited Bangladesh for the second time this year and met with prime minister Sheikh Hasina, opposition leader Khaleda Zia, foreign minister, election commission officials and representatives of civil society.
Addressing a media conference at the British high commission staff amenities centre, she welcomed the beginning of dialogue between Awami League and BNP through the United Nations and said it was vital that all parties would refrain from acts of provocations and the leaders would participate in genuine and constructive dialogue.
She said the current level of violence was not only damaging the reputation of Bangladesh but also its economy and livelihood of its people.
She was assured that the further dialogue would take place today.
About the meeting with the Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, Warsi said she had extensive discussions with both the leaders on the situation in Bangladesh and some bilateral and international issues.
Asked if she got any hint of compromise during her talks with both sides, Warsi said they were prepared to make compromise.
In reply to another question, she said the format of the election would be decided by the people of Bangladesh and the test of the elections will be judged by voters turn out, casting votes without violence, transparency and evaluation of the election observers.
She said Britain was supportive to transparent, free and fair elections and provides technical support.
Asked if UK would accept any one-sided elections, Warsi said it was too early to make judgment.
About war crimes tribunal, Warsi said she raised the issues with the two leaders and the foreign minister and said UK wanted that the people who committed war crimes should face trial and there should not be any impunity of the horrendous crimes but UK has a clear position opposing death penalty in any country in any circumstances.
-With New Age input
