US congressmen serious about inclusive polls: FM

US congressmen serious about
inclusive polls: FM
Staff Reporter
The two visiting US Congressmen have asked about the government’s strategy for the upcoming national election and its approach to engage in talks with opposition political parties, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in order to resolve the political deadlock prior to the national poll.

Responding to this query, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen stated that there is no scope for negotiation over the demand seeking resignation of the government ahead of the election.

Rather the Foreign Minister posed a question to the American Congressmen saying whether the US government steps down before the election.

Prior to the response to the queries of the journalists at the State Guest House Padma on Sunday, the Foreign Minister held a meeting with US Congressmen Ed Case and Richard MacArthur.

“There is no scope for attaining a consensus with the BNP, given that the party demands the resignation of the government.

I asked them whether the US government would step down ahead of the election there.

Certainly not! We will hold elections according to our democratic principles,” Momen said.

The Foreign Minister stated that whether Bangladesh has fallen into China’s trap or not is also a matter that the two members of the US Congressmen have sought to understand.

During the meeting, the discussion revolved around the upcoming elections. In this context, the Foreign Minister stated that they (the Congressmen) have talked about the elections.

“We assured them that we are committed to a free and fair election. We want a free and fair election, as affirmed by our Prime Minister.

Awami League always believes in elections, it is an election-oriented party,” he said. Momen also told the US congressmen, “Let everyone participate in that (the election process), that’s what we want.

Let whoever wins or loses depend on the people. We believe that we have done a lot of good work.”

The Foreign Minister further explained that a fair and violence-free election is possible if there is sincerity within the country’s political parties.

“If all parties participating in the elections decide sincerely, without obstruction, without violence, and without any aggression, then elections can take place free of violence.

Based on everyone’s consensus, the election can take place without violence.

If the government or the election commission desires, there can be no guarantee about elections without violence,” he said.

The Foreign Minister even feels proud that the election in Bangladesh is better than the US.

“We have said that elections are better here (Bangladesh) than where you (United States) are. People there don’t vote as much.

Here, the majority of people vote. Seven per cent people cast vote there.

People don’t contest elections there. Here, several hundred people contest an election. We just need the sincerity of all parties,” he said.

When asked whether there was any message from the congressmen regarding the election formula by the US, he said, “No, You better ask them.”

As for the formula for the United States’ elections or whether the elections will be fair, Minister Momen mentioned, “No, they should ask them (the Congressmen). That’s their question.”

Members of Parliament Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Kazi Nabil Ahmed, and Mohammad Ali Arafat were present in the meeting and contributed to the discussions.

Director General (North America) Khandker Masudul Alam and other Foreign Ministry officials were also present.

Spouses of the Congressmen, Dr. Debra Miller and Audrey Case, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Mr. Peter Haas and other US officials accompanied the congressional delegation.

They held fruitful discussions on Bangladesh-US partnership on various areas, including trade and economy, Rohingya response, global health, climate change and upcoming general elections of Bangladesh.

The delegation praised Bangladesh for generous hosting of over one million forcibly displaced Rohingyas. The meeting discussed the way forward in the context of gradual decline in the aid for Rohingya.

The Foreign Minister appreciated the US Government for its humanitarian support for the Rohingyas and stressed the importance of working together towards achieving the ultimate goal of repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas to their homeland.

The US delegation commenced their three-day visit on Sunday paying tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his mural at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum. Both Congressmen were accompanied by their spouses at that time.

Commenting on the occasion, Congressman said that it was indeed a great tragedy for Bangladesh to lose such a personality and that too so early.

This was the first US Congressmen visit to Bangladesh since 2017 to promote free and fair elections and strengthen diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The visit, characterised by a commitment to democratic values and international collaboration, underscores the United States’ keen interest in fostering robust diplomatic relations with Bangladesh.

The delegation’s agenda is diverse, comprising discussions on multiple facets of the two nations’ cooperation, with an emphasis on ensuring transparent and inclusive electoral processes.

He expressed hope that the US investment in Bangladesh will expand and diversify as Bangladesh offers potentials in many areas, including ICT, pharmaceuticals, and steel.

He also sought US congressional support for duty-free access of Bangladesh’s textile and garments products made of US cotton.

The US delegation expressed their keenness to look into the partnership in pharmaceuticals, among others.

The Congressmen have also schedule to meet leaders of various political parties to listen to them about their demands and current situation before the election.

The delegation will also visit Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar on Monday and hold meetings with various stakeholders, before wrapping up their visit.

Currently Dhaka is now predominated by the presence of the US representatives who are focusing mainly on free and fair election, corruption cases and human rights condition, which the US government is taking very seriously and urging the government recurrently to pay attention to these issues.