US State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel has said that violent rhetorics against diplomats are “deeply unhelpful” when it comes to ensuring their safety and security.
He was replying to a question at a daily briefing in Washington on Wednesday following a Chittagong Awami League leader’s alleged threat to beat US Ambassador Peter Haas last Monday.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, however, cautioned political leaders and activists against their remarks on diplomats.
"Safety and security of our diplomatic personnel and diplomatic facilities are of utmost importance. Such kinds of violent rhetoric are deeply unhelpful," Patel said, replying to a question.
Patel said the US would continue to deepen its relations with Bangladesh and reiterated that Washington does not support any particular party ahead of the elections, and they want the polls to be free and fair.
The State Department’s spokesperson said they expect the host government of any country to take appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of US personnel and facilities in line with the country's obligations under the Vienna Convention and other diplomatic conventions.
With the support of the US, the present government in Bangladesh has taken a zero-tolerance policy in combating terrorism and radicalism.
Asked to evaluate the achievement of the current government in combating terrorism and radicalism, he said: “In broad terms, last year we celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, and of course that this is a country that we’re looking to continue to deepen our relationships and partnerships with as there continue to be a number of areas, including trade, cooperation in the climate space, cooperation in the security space, and otherwise where that potential exists.”
Replying to a question on whether the US supports the caretaker government system in Bangladesh as the opposition is demanding before the general election, he reiterated that: “We do not support a particular government or political party or candidate in any country, and that in areas where there are elections ongoing, we – our goal and intent is for these elections to take place in a free and fair way that respects the will of the people of that country.”
Ruling Awami League lawmaker Mohammad A Arafat who also works closely with international affairs issues of the party took to X to explain the whole issue. He also condemned the comment of a grassroots activist on Peter Haas.
“Union-level Awami League leader Mujibul Haque Chowdhury, in one of his public speeches, threatened to “beat Peter Haas." Union is the lowest tier of the party, and thousands of people from that level say many things every day that we don’t pay much attention to. The Awami League is also not a regimented party; therefore, the grassroots leaders enjoy freedom of speech,” he explained.
“But in this particular case, I condemn the obnoxious statement made by the union-level leader of the Awami League. I would like to urge all the lowest-tier AL leaders to exercise caution and not violate any diplomatic etiquette. Even though the district Awami League usually so-cause and warns any Union-level leader for any wrongdoing, in this case, the central Awami League will so-cause and warn Mujibul Haque Chowdhury.
“There is no doubt that the government of Bangladesh will take all appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of the diplomats, their personnel, and their facilities in line with the country's obligations under the Vienna Convention and the diplomatic conventions,” read his statement.
