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Download PDF The US Congress on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution urging US President George W Bush to consider extending generous economic support to Bangladesh on completion of an internationally accepted free and fair election before the end of December 2008.
The House of Representatives in its resolution HR 1402 titled “Supporting a transition to democracy through free, fair, credible, peaceful, and transparent elections in Bangladesh” made this request to the US president.
The resolution recognises the caretaker government’s initiatives to eradicate corruption from all levels of government and society through institutional and policy reforms.
The house also urged all political parties in Bangladesh to participate in the elections so that democratic government in the country could continue the fight against corruption and intensify efforts for institutional and policy reforms.
In this connection, the US Congress welcomed the caretaker government’s initiative to hold dialogue with all political parties and civil society organisations.
In the resolution, the House of Representatives members expressed their strong support to the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.
Congress also urged the government of Bangladesh to lift the state of emergency and allow free and fair elections to occur.
Most notably, first time ever, the congress urged the US president to make democratic transition in Bangladesh a “high priority of United States foreign policy”.
The congress affirmed willingness of the United States to provide assistance to Bangladesh in its quest for a peaceful transition to democracy.
The resolution was moved in the influential Committee on Foreign Affairs with co-sponsorship of as many as 41 congressmen. Congressman Joseph Crowley, who is also co-chair of Congressional Bangladesh Caucus, sponsored the resolution.
The Bangladesh embassy in Washington DC worked closely with Congressman Crowley and other congressmen to get this resolution passed, according to a message received in Dhaka yesterday.
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, who is presently attending the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, welcomed the initiative of the US Congress and stated that this is indeed a recognition of the creative efforts undertaken by the democracy loving people and the government of Bangladesh to strengthen democratic and accountable governance, which could serve the interest of the common people.
He once again expressed resolve of his government to hold free, fair and credible elections in Bangladesh on December 18, 2008.
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