Washington has urged Dhaka to publicly support the agreement between the US and Russia to eliminate Syria’s arsenal of chemical weapons.
On September 14, the Geneva agreement came after intense negotiations between the US and Russia, averting a possible US attack against the backdrop of allegations that Bashar al-Assad’s government was responsible for the lethal chemical attack on August 21.
“They (US) communicated with us and requested we publicly support the agreement,” said a foreign ministry official. He said the support could be an announcement in the form of a press release or an arrangement suitable to Bangladesh.
However, the Press and Information Officer of the US Embassy in Dhaka Kelly S McCarthy said: “I do not have anything for you at this moment.”
Meanwhile, at a meeting on Tuesday the issue of Syria was discussed by senior foreign ministry officials.
“The Prime Minister is going to New York for the UN General Assembly later this month and it (Syria) would be discussed with high officials of other nations,” said another official.
He said Hasina was scheduled to co-chair two UNGA sessions and US Secretary of State John Kerry has invited Foreign Minister Dipu Moni to a programme, where he expected the issue of Syria would be raised and discussed.
According to ministry officials Bangladesh wishes to emphasise the UN’s central role in resolving the Syrian crisis. An official said: “Our position is clear and we believe in amicable solution to all international conflicts through diplomatic and peaceful means.” As a signatory of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Bangladesh strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons by any party under any circumstances, the official said.
