Bangladesh News

US Deputy Assistant Secretary John Gastright yesterday expressed his optimism that Bangladesh is going to have an election, overcoming the crisis, and it will be the most monitored polls ever in the country.
He discouraged army intervention for a solution to the prevailing political crisis over the polls, saying that it will certainly negatively affect Dhaka-Washington military relations and Bangladesh’s peacekeeping operations.

“I don’t think army step is the right thing for Bangladesh. It will certainly negatively affect military to military cooperation, give a negative signal to the whole world and affect Bangladesh’s participation in the UN peacekeeping mission,” the visiting US government functionary said in an interview with the UNB.

Gastright, who had consultations with the leaders of major political parties, advisers to the caretaker government and the Election Commissioners over the election issues, said he was optimistic about free, fair and credible elections here. He observed that the caretaker government and the Election Commission are working hard and seriously to move the process forward.

“I am particularly impressed to see in the last 24 hours that people are eager to develop creative solutions and move the process forward,” he said.

Asked about the controversy over the Election Commission and voter list, he said the Election Commission yesterday briefed him about the preparatory plans as to how they are going to update the list in the next seven days, set up 35,000 polling centers and deploy two million employees for election to restore the confidence of the people and the political parties.

Beyond that, he said it is the responsibility of all parties involved, including political parties, caretaker government and the Election Commission, to come up with the specifics to resolve any problem.

“I believe the caretaker government is working seriously to make sure the level playing field,” he added.

About the fresh debate on holding election within 90 days or beyond, Gastright said the people and the parties of Bangladesh will take the decision. “I am confident that Bangladesh will have an election,” he said.

He said political leadership should be flexible in approach to the Election Commission, caretaker government and other parties, keeping an open mind for a creative solution for free, fair and non-violent polls the people deserve.

Asked what the US position would be if any party finally stays away from the polls, or voting is marred with rigging, he said: “Certainly international community will not endorse the results.”

The US deputy assistant secretary for South Asia noted that the election is going to be held under a close watch by a large number of international observers. “This is going to be the most thoroughly monitored election in the history of Bangladesh,” he said.

He said close to 400 international observers-around 300 from the EU and 71 from the USA-will be arriving here for monitoring the elections. Besides, thousands of Bangladeshis will be trained to observe the polls.

Asked why the election in Bangladesh is so important for the USA, he quipped: There is a number of reasons for that as Bangladesh is no longer “George Harrison’s Bangladesh of 1971″.

He observed that the country has made fantastic accomplishment by achieving 6to 7 percent economic growth and progress in social sector and established democratic process by holding three free and fair elections and peaceful transfer of power. To maintain the process, Bangladesh needs to have free and fair elections, he said.

Besides, Bangladesh is the third-largest moderate Muslim democracy. “World needs Bangladesh democracy…we are keenly watching it in Washington,” he noted.

In reply to a question, he hoped the next elected government would implement policies to address the issues of corruption, extremism, literacy, business-friendly policy, and infrastructure development with a world-class port.

To another question, he said the United States does not support any party. “We support Bangladesh, free and fair elections and whichever government the people of Bangladesh choose.”

Describing Bangladesh-USA relations as superb, Gastright said another free, fair and democratic election will further strengthen the existing relations.