Highly praising prime minister Sheikh Hasina for her dialogue offer to the opposition to resolve the ongoing political crisis, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that this initiative by the prime minister is ‘brave and noble’. The UN Secretary General also condemned the incidents of political violence took place in the country and urged all to maintain peaceful atmosphere in the country. Visiting Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the United Nations (UN) Oscar Fernandez- Taranco conveyed this to the Prime Minister when he called on her at her official Gonobhaban residence here this morning.
Quoting Taranco, PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said, the UN Secretary General laid emphasis on ensuring conducive atmosphere for holding a free, fair and neutral election.
“Ban Ki-moon urged the opposition to accept the dialogue offer saying there should not be a pre-condition for dialogue” Azad told newsmen while briefing the press following the meeting.
Azad said that the UN Secretary General also praised Sheikh Hasina for her statesmanship role, and condemned the recent violence in Bangladesh.
During his meeting with the prime minister, Taranco said Bangladesh is a symbol of cooperation between the UN and other member states.
He also praised the government’s rescue operation to retrieve the victims from under the tonnes of rubble of collapsed building at Savar.
In response, the Prime Minister said her dialogue offer to the opposition is ‘still valid’ despite their ultimatum and violent acts.
“We want to solve all problems through discussion for the sake of democracy,” she said, adding desired development of the country is not possible without continuation of democracy.
She said the government has strengthened the Election Commission to ensure people’s empowerment and voting rights.
Sheikh Hasina said the President appointed the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners through a search committee after holding discussion with all political parties.
In this context, she mentioned the holding of over 5636 Elections including 16 by-elections of the Jatiya Sangsad in a free, fair and neutral manner and said no allegation was raised about the results of those elections.
Sheikh Hasina told the UN assistant secretary general that the UN observers are always welcome in Bangladesh to observe the situation here.
PM’s Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, Ambassador-At-Large M Ziauddin and Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were present.
Taranco came here on a two day visit and also met the opposition leader.
-With The Independent input
