Bangladesh News

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband yesterday urged the government to lift the state of emergency and hold general elections as soon as possible to ensure a fully functioning democracy.

He also said Britain is impressed with the performance of the army-backed caretaker government during ‘a difficult year’.

Miliband, the highest profile British visitor since this government took charge in January last year and the first foreign minister of his country here since 2002, was talking to reporters after meeting Foreign Adviser Iftekhar A Chowdhury on the first day of his two-day visit to Bangladesh.

“A fully functional democracy cannot operate under a state of emergency,” said Miliband when asked about Bangladesh’s return to democracy.

“We certainly look forward to the commitment of this government being fulfilled through free and fair elections at the latest by the end of this year,” he added.

Referring to his scheduled meetings with the chief adviser, army chief and the chief election commissioner today, Miliband said the two sides would discuss ‘how we can ensure as soon as possible Bangladesh becomes a fully functional democracy with all the benefits’.

He said Britain’s position on Bangladesh’s politics, economy and human rights would greatly depend on this visit.

“Britain wants to support strong, independent and effective democratic institutions,” he said, citing the importance of both formal institutions and informal democratic processes. He lauded the government’s institutional reform programmes.

Miliband said Bangladesh’s importance is growing in the region and in the world, and Britain is ‘proud of links that exist between the two countries.’

The foreign secretary also said Britain and Bangladesh would cooperate in tackling terrorism as extremism does not ‘respect national boundaries’. He also stressed cooperation in confronting climate change and gearing up trade.

Later in the afternoon, Miliband held an hour-long discussion with a select group of 10 young Bangladeshis judged in politics, media, development and commerce. The discussion centred around future of democracy in Bangladesh, climate change, the state of emergency, development and militancy.

The foreign secretary will meet Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed and Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda today.

He will also visit Sirajganj to see a British-funded project and hold a meeting on the role of diasporas.

Britain has pledged around 114 million pounds in assistance until March 31 this year.