BD political parties need to use political space peacefully: Mozena

Outgoing US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan W Mozena on Wednesday said political parties in Bangladesh need to use their political space peacefully to strengthen democracy. “Of course, the political parties need to use political space peacefully…we discussed the important role that opposition parties play in a democracy,” he told reporters after a farewell meeting BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan residence. The US envoy said during his hour-long meeting that started at around 5:30 pm with Khaleda he shared his experiences about Bangladesh during his nearly 37 months’ stay here. Mozena said he firmly believes that the current US Bangladesh partnership is stronger, deeper and broader than ever before. He said BNP chairperson Khaleda shared with him her impression from the recent public meeting in Narayanganj where many people turned up. Mozena said he shared about his impression from his tours of all the 64 districts in Bangladesh. “I shared the lessons I learned so much — I learned about agriculture revolution of Bangladesh, I’ve seen all those in my eyes.” The US envoy said he also shared his feeling about Bangladesh’s revolution in the health sector and about the fall in child and maternal mortality rate. He said Bangladesh has been able to significantly bring down fertility rate as well as make revolution in family planning. “This is an unbelievable story which I’ve seen and I shared with her.” “I shared my vision of Bangladesh as Asia’s next tiger — Royal Bengal tiger”, Mozena observed adding that the four legs of that tiger are apparel sector, shoes and finished leather goods, generic pharmaceutical and IT sectors. Mentioning that he is leaving Bangladesh with a heavy heart, Mozena said, “I should not say goodbye – we’ll meet again ‘Dekha hobe’ (see you again) because we’ll be back to Bangladesh to see it.” He said he would visit Bangladesh next year to enjoy Bengal Foundation South Asian classical music festival. In his brief talks with media an emotional Mozena said: ‘To me Bangladesh is very special place and the people of Bangladesh are very special.” He said his successor would arrive in Dhaka late January next year while he would leave Bangladesh next week. Mozena did not entertain any question from journalists while BNP did not brief media about the outcomes of the meeting. BNP vice chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, BNP chairperson’s advisers Reaz Rahman and Sabihuddin Ahmed were present at the meeting. The outgoing US envoy was accompanied by his wife at the meeting with Khaleda. Earlier, he had a meeting with opposition leader Raushon Ershad at her residence. Mozena, who has been serving in Bangladesh since May 2011, is set to leave this month as Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat is going to succeed him. Earlier on Monday, he also paid a farewell call on President Abdul Hamid. – UNB, Dhaka.