Peter Haas reemerges in political landscape
Staff Reporter :
Amid intense political dynamics leading up to the 7 January elections, where the ruling party is campaigning actively and the opposition BNP is implementing its political programme, US Ambassador Peter Haas resumed diplomatic engagements, holding a meeting with Foreign Ministry representatives on Thursday.
The US envoy after a hiatus of over ten days staying outside Bangladesh reemerged with diplomatic activities with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen at State Guesthouse Padma to talk on various bilateral relations.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States, Muhammad
Imran and Director General (North America), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Khandker Masudul Alam, among others, were also present at the meeting.
The meeting commenced around 11am and lasted over one hour before their departure. Both sides did not immediately speak to the journalists who were waiting outside the venue.
However, US Embassy Dhaka on its Facebook and X (former Twitter) has shared a note and a photo of the meeting.
“Ambassador Haas and FS Momen had a routine meeting today to discuss ongoing developments in the bilateral relationship,” the note stated.
Regarding the meeting with the Foreign Secretary, no official information had been disclosed.
However, it is assumed that the discussion might revolve around current affairs, potentially touching upon politics, labour issues, and election-related matters.
Before going on leave, Peter Haas handed over the letters written by Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu to the leaders of the Awami League, BNP, and the Jatiya Party.
In those letters, the United States calls for free, fair, and credible elections and invites unconditional dialogue among the political parties to resolve the political standoff.
The US ambassador returned to Dhaka on Monday after a ‘vacation’ and it was his first meeting with the government officials of the Foreign Ministry.
Peter Haas has become a branding name in the Bangladesh political field for his huge engagement with the political parties and other stakeholders to convey the US message for a free and fair election.
For such readiness of Peter Haas, he has become the ‘eye-sore’ of the ruling Awami League and he even received death threat.
Though a case was attempted to register with the court for such threats, but it was rejected by the court.
