Washington to continue support interim govt

Staff Reporter :

The newly appointed U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Bangladesh, Tracy Ann Jacobson, has stated that the United States will continue its support for Bangladesh’s interim government in areas such as development and counter-terrorism.

Jacobson made this statement during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday.
She said, “We are ready to support your government on various issues.”

During the meeting, the Chief Adviser discussed the ongoing reform initiatives in Bangladesh, the government’s efforts to build political consensus on the July declaration, and plans for the upcoming general elections.

Regarding the July declaration, Professor Yunus expressed hope that political parties would reach a consensus by early February. He described the political effort to form this consensus as ‘difficult,’ emphasising that the main focus of the proposed declaration is ‘unity.’

The Chief Adviser clarified that the government would only play a facilitating role in this process, stating, “My job is to create a consensus. I am not pushing any agenda.” He added that if political parties agree on the reform proposals, the government will request them to sign the July declaration to formalise it.

The U.S. envoy expressed concern over the arrest of some journalists and reports of violence against religious minorities. In response, Professor Yunus assured her that his government is committed to ensuring justice for everyone in the country.

During the hour-long meeting, discussions also covered Bangladesh’s relations with its neighbours, progress in resolving the Rohingya crisis, and the security situation in Myanmar.

The Chief Adviser stated that Bangladesh values its relationships with all neighbours and highlighted his recent initiatives to revitalise SAARC and transform it into a platform similar to the European Union.

Professor Yunus also discussed his efforts to rejuvenate SAARC, saying, “This is how the idea of SAARC originated, and we were its pioneers.”

Additionally, the Chief Adviser underscored Bangladesh’s position as a top importer of U.S. cotton and called for increased imports of Bangladeshi garments and textiles.

Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs Lamia Morshed was also present at the meeting