Visiting US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal on Sunday said Washington wanted a free, fair and acceptable election in Bangladesh.
“Washington wants a democratic system, socio-economic development and stability in Bangladesh and a free and fair election acceptable to the people of Bangladesh,” BNP Vice-Chairperson Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told journalists after Biswal’s meeting with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
In the meeting at her Gulshan office, Khaleda categorically told the US official that her party wanted a solution acceptable to all through a dialogue.
Asked if Biswal said anything about taking part in the polls under the all-party government, Shamsher said: “She did not come here to give any advice. She did not come here to put pressure.”
Before meeting Khaleda, Biswal had met leaders of different political parties, members of civil society and newspaper editors at the residence of US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena in the evening, reports the UNB.
In the afternoon, Biswal called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban where the PM reaffirmed that the next election would be free, fair and credible, and expressed hope that the opposition would take part in the election.
Biswal also expressed hope that the election would be free, fair and credible to continue the democratic process of the country.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, the prime minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Bijan Lal Dev said Hasina and Biswal had discussed various issues of bilateral interest and common concern.
About the much-talked-about Ticfa, the prime minister said the government had already approved it and a Bangladesh delegation would soon visit the USA to this end.
Ambassador at-Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary Shaikh Mohammad Wahid-uz Zaman and Mozena, among others, were present.
In the morning, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus called on Biswal at Mozena’s residence.
“She [Biswal] said Bangladesh had made a remarkable progress and it should not be hampered. She also said Bangladesh had huge prospect,” Yunus told journalists after the meeting.
They also discussed the current political situation, Grameen Bank and Myanmar issues.
“She is concerned about Grameen Bank. She wanted to know the future of Grameen bank. I told her what had been published in newspapers,” Yunus said.