Dialogue if BNP leaves Jamaat, says minister

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam has said the government is not interested in dialogue unless the BNP severs all ties with the Jamaat. The junior minister made the statement while talking to reporters after briefing foreign diplomats about the government’s position on the recent election. He said: “We are encouraged by vibes from the BNP leadership about their interest in pursuing the path of dialogue with the government. We hope that such decisions and pronunciations by the BNP would pave the way for dialogue with the government in a peaceful atmosphere sooner than later.” Shahriar Alam said the foreign diplomats in Bangladesh have stressed commencing dialogue between the government and any opposing parties as soon as possible.