The United States and its friends in the international community do not have a stake in the upcoming elections in Bangladesh, Nisa Desai Biswal said in Washington.
But, the US would like to see a process of free, fair, credible and violence-free polls, the assistant secretary for south and central Asian affairs said in a press briefing Tuesday.
“For that, both major political parties need to come together,” she said stressing that any solution will not come from the international community.
“The solution is there within the people and the institutions and parties of Bangladesh,” she said. “What needs to heppen for that is dialgoue that allows a compromise for elections with the confidence of the people.”
Nisha arrived in Dhaka during November on a three-day visit which took place before she had the ceremonial swearing-in.
She said US welcomed the announcement of elections on January 5.
“We think there is an urgent call for concerted efforts at dialogue to bring the two major political parties closer. That had been my message and emphasis during my trip, which continues to be our call today.”
About violence, she called on all sides to restrain violence as violence has no place in the democratic process.
“We think it’s very important that all sides find ways to move forward to have free, fair, credible, and peaceful or violence-free elections in Bangladesh.”
