Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus has discussed Bangladesh’s ongoing political unrest and shared his concern about Grameen Bank with Nisha Desai Biswal, US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs. “Naturally, the political issue came up. But there was no discussion on dialogue,” Yunus told reporters after a meeting with the visiting US official yesterday.
He said Biswal had wanted to know about the prevailing political situation. “I shared [with her] the views that I had already shared with the media. I don’t want to repeat what I’ve said.”
The Nobel laureate had criticised the Awami League-led government earlier this month, urging people to vote for political parties that would restore the Grameen Bank to its original shape.
A range of issues, including Grameen Bank, social business, socio-economic development and his upcoming visit to Myanmar, had been discussed at the hour-long meeting at the residence of US Ambassador Dan Mozena, said Yunus.
Biswal, who he said was fond of the micro-credit organisation, wanted to know about its current state. “I expressed my concern about the bank. I also gave her a summary of my recent statements, which had been reported in newspapers,” he added.
She mentioned that Bangladesh has made significant progress in the socio-economic sector and emphasised combined efforts so that such progress is not hindered.
“The US does not want to see Bangladesh’s progress hampered. It wants Bangladesh not only to keep up its achievement but also to proceed further,” Biswal was quoted as saying.
About his upcoming visit, Yunus said, “I will visit Myanmar in April and I want to discuss Rohingya issues there. I spoke to Nisha about how the US can intervene to resolve the crisis.”
He told reporters that he would leave Dhaka for the US today to attend the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House, to be hosted by US President Barack Obama on Nov 20.
“I will first attend a function in New York and will then go to Washington.”
Biswal had held separate meetings with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Bangladesh Centre for Workers Solidarity (BCWS) earlier yesterday.
-With The Daily Star input
