Foreign diplomats stationed in Bangladesh have called for an immediate dialogue between the ruling Awami League and BNP to overcome the ‘ongoing political impasse in the country’.
They made the call during a briefing organized by newly-inducted State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shariar Alam to foreign envoys at the UNCLOS conference room of the ministry in the capital yesterday.
In response, the state minister reiterated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s offer for a dialogue to the BNP on the modalities of the next general election. However, no timeframe for the next election was mentioned during the briefing, said some diplomats after the programme.
The foreign ministry organised the briefing for the heads of foreign missions to apprise them of the latest situation in the country, including the January 5 election, boycotted by many parties including the BNP. Diplomats from about 50 countries and organizations attended the first briefing since the appointment of the new state minister.
Several diplomats including those of the United States, the European Union, United Kingdom and Italy spoke at the briefing, stating the position of their respective governments.
“I was especially pleased that he (Shahriar) reinforced the government’s view that there needs to be a dialogue with the intent of an election. That was a most encouraging discussion,” US Ambassador to Dhaka Dan Mozena told journalists after the briefing.
“I think that the two parties can find a way forward to restart the dialogue soon with the intent of having an election as soon as possible,” he said.
The ambassador also described as positive the dialogue offer made by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and the subsequent responses from some quarters of the ruling party.
EU Ambassador William Hanna told journalists that he reminded Bangladesh authorities about the two statements issued by the EU – one in December and one on January 9 after the election.
“I said we are hopeful that there would be an offer of dialogue and that both sides will enter the dialogue as soon as possible,” he said. “I also pointed out that there have been a lot of interests in Europe. We want to try and support a dialogue as soon as possible,” he added.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Gibson reminded the state minister of the statement by British Minister Baroness Warsi issued shortly after the election.
“In the statement, she (Warsi) categorically condemned the violence and intimidation that has taken place in Bangladesh before, during and after the election. In her statement, she recognized the constitutional aspect of the election, but expressed disappointment that the election was not fully participatory when over half of the electorate did not have their voting rights,” he said.
Gibson also said, “She (Warsi) reminded that all parties have responsibility to ensure the correct democratic accountability of the country. She therefore expressed the hope that the dialogue would take place quickly and promptly to address the shortcomings”.
High Commissioner Gibson added that he asked the state minister how the government intended to respond to the BNP chairperson’s Wednesday request for a serious dialogue.
At the briefing, State Minister Shahriar explained the constitutional obligations to hold the January 5 election.
About the result of the election, he said nearly 40 percent turnout has definitely not been in conformity with the electoral tradition in Bangladesh.
In the face of blatant threats and acts of violence by the BNP-Jamaat alliance, voting could not take place in some areas whereas the turnout was 50-70 percent in some areas, which was quite remarkable an achievement, he added.
About the unopposed candidates in 153 seats, Shahriar said, “It was indeed somewhat disappointing for all of us that candidates had to be declared elected uncontested in those seats”.
Speaking on the issue of dialogue with the BNP, he said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her post-election speech, keeping with her tradition of championing dialogue and as part of her forward-looking strategy for reinstating an inclusive pluralist politics, has already made fresh offers to the BNP to sit for dialogues to arrive at a shared understanding on the modalities for conducting the next general election within the constitutional parameters.”
“However, she (PM) has also cautioned that the BNP must genuinely prove its willingness to engage in purposeful dialogue with the government. To our mind, as affirmed by the prime minister, this can only happen provided the BNP decides to shun the path of violence and subversion, and also disentangle itself from the clutches of Jamaat,” he added.
The state minister also gave a detailed description of BNP-Jamaat’s violent activities committed before and after the election and explained the government’s immediate post-election priorities.
Shahriar Alam sought the unrelenting support of the international community to help Bangladesh continue making mark in the global development discourse and maintain active contribution to international peace and security as a responsible member of the United Nations.
Courtesy of The Independent
