Washington would be prepared to help the major political parties reach a consensus if there was a more conducive environment, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf has said.
“We are prepared to reengage our efforts and in particular our observation efforts at a later time if there is a more conducive environment, but we are disappointed that so far they haven’t done so [sic],” she said in reply to a question at a regular press briefing on Monday.
She expressed her disappointment that the major political parties have not yet reached a consensus on holding free, fair, and credible elections.
US Ambassador Dan W Mozena had met leaders of the political parties on many occasions and discussed the volatile situation in the country. State Department Assistant Secretary Nisha Desai Biswal also visited Bangladesh before her official swearing-in, as she thought the trip was crucial.
The State Department deputy spokesperson said some US officials also made phone calls to leaders in Bangladesh.
“I am sure some phone calls have been made from this building.” However, she did not elaborate.
When inquired, Spokesperson of the US embassy in Dhaka Kelly McCarthy told the Dhaka Tribune that Harf referred to US Secretary of State John Kerry’s call to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this month.
“The spokesperson was referring to Secretary Kerry’s call to Sheikh Hasina on December 11 in which they discussed current events in Bangladesh,” Kelly said through an email.
About the recent violence in the country, the deputy spokesperson said it showed that it was more urgent
than ever for the major parties to redouble their efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and find a way forward to hold free, fair and credible elections.
“As we’ve said repeatedly, violence is not acceptable for a number of reasons, but in part because it subverts the democratic process. And we have called on it to stop immediately,” she said.