Bangladesh News

Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Richard A Boucher yesterday said the United States would not accept any deviation from the path to parliamentary polls by this year-end.

He also observed that “good elections” are not possible amid a state of emergency and ban on political activities.

Speaking at a press conference at the American Club in the city, Boucher said, “The US believes the only path forward for Bangladesh is to have an election. We won’t accept any deviation from that.”

Replying to a query, he said he does not think there will be a military intervention in the country.

Boucher said, “We don’t think you can have a good election under a state of emergency. We think the emergency has to be lifted. We think restrictions on the political activities need to go. A free information environment should be in place for open discussions about the issues.

“We have been pushing for that and encouraging the lifting of the emergency because that’s necessary for a good and successful election.”

Asked about the human rights situation here, he said, “There are problems that need to be fixed, and we think those are best fixed under an elected government.”

Democracy is the best way to fight terrorism, safeguard human rights and ensure a sustainable development, he added.

He however declined to comment when asked if an election without either or both of BNP and Awami League would be credible.

“We will hear more from the government. I can’t deal with all these ifs, there is too much speculation out there,” he said, adding, “We’ll be monitoring the situation. All of these proceedings need to be on track.”

He said Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, the now detained two former prime ministers, must face the law, but the trials must be fair and open.

Boucher asked the political parties to “keep their eyes on the ball and the need to hold elections” because, he said, “nobody can claim any rights or mandate unless they are elected”.

He welcomed the government’s initiative to hold dialogue with political parties, and said he hopes the talks will produce a set of understandings and help the election take place.

Earlier on Thursday, the assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs reached Dhaka in a two-day visit and met Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and Chief of Army Staff Moeen U Ahmed.

Citing the US government’s recent announcement of $20 million in assistance for a counter-terrorism programme here, he said there is always a prospect of terrorist threat to Bangladesh and work needs to continue to prevent the territory from being used by terrorists.

Boucher said Bangladesh’s claim to the US Millennium Challenge Account would also be reviewed in the light of the anti-corruption drive of the present caretaker government.

He said the bill to grant Bangladeshi goods greater duty-free access to the US market is unlikely to be passed this year since the US congress and political machinery would be preoccupied with the US presidential election.