Nisha Biswal the US assistant secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs has concluded a three day visit in which she added her voice to calls urging the two major political parties to engage in dialogue.
She rightly emphasised that it is up to Bangladesh’s people to determine whether there is a fair election process or not.
Leaders of the BNP expressed hopes that her visit might help resolve the current political deadlock. As hartals have caused widespread damage to life and property in recent weeks, the respite from talk of deadly political strikes was welcome.
We appreciate Ms Biswal’s calls for dialogue and share the view that this visit, and others like it, should not carry as much weight as it has been given. It is up to the Bangladeshi people to resolve our problems.
Asking or relying on overseas officials, however friendly their intentions, to act as intermediaries, disregards the people whose voice most needs to be heard. It is illogical to expect one delegate’s three-day visit to make much difference.
We should concentrate on listening more to what the people say, not give undue weight to the opinions or presence of diplomats.
Bangladesh’s people are the quiet majority that pays the price for the political crisis. They can assess what is best in the national interest. All political parties should listen to them more.
