http://newagebd.com/2008/may/10/front.html#3
New Age, Dhaka, bangladesh
Saturday, May 10, 2008
US won=92t accept deviation from
efforts to restore democracy
Staff Correspondent
The United States will not accept any deviation from the path of
restoring democracy to Bangladesh with polls and wants withdrawal of
the state of emergency for holding a =91good election=92 by December.
Richard A Boucher, senior US assistant secretary of state for South
and Central Asia came up with the views as he addressed a briefing at
the American Club on Friday.
Touching on the issue whether he foresees any military takeover,
Boucher, after meeting the chief of army staff, General Moeen U Ahmed,
said, =91The answer is the same as before =97 no. The only path for
Bangladesh is to restore democracy and have an election. We won=92t
accept any deviation from that path.=92
On the issue of withdrawal of the state of emergency, he said, =91We
don=92t think of good elections under the emergency. Emergency has to be
lifted. For a good election, it needs open political activities,
meetings, rallies, debates and open information. We are pushing to
lift the emergency, which is necessary to have credible elections.=92
=91Elections must be held to get back to a democratically elected
government next year,=92 Boucher said.
In reply too a query on the US position if major parties abstain
from the elections unless their leaders are released, he said, =91The
United States is not involved with political parties. We are not
taking side, we are not choosing winner and we are not supporting any
faction of political party or individuals.=92
=91Our goal is to support democratic process and help the people to
get a chance to decide through elections,=92 he said.
As for trials of former prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda
Zia, Boucher said there were charges against the leaders and the
government needed to follow due process of law and transparent trial,
which is a different matter from the election process.
He said, =91I realise different political parties have different
positions. But nobody can claim mandate or right to take away the
rights of the people to a chance of deciding through elections.=92
Asked if the elections will be credible without the participation
of major parties, Boucher said he could not deal with so many ifs and
speculations.
=91We support the process to proceed in a manner so all the parties
can participate. It is not the government, not the parties, but at the
end it=92s [for] the people to decide,=92 he said.
Boucher said the US goal was to support democracy and the
democratic election to ensure overall stability in Bangladesh, which
is in the interest of the United States and of the Bangladeshi people,
including the army.
Referring to his meeting with the army chief, Boucher said Moeen
had told him how they (the army) were supporting the caretaker
government to have the elections to get to an elected government.
Expressing his satisfaction about the electoral roadmap, Boucher
appreciated the efforts of the Election Commission for the progress in
preparing a flawless electoral roll, which is a major achievement, and
other necessary things to get to the elections.
He said, =91We all want the process to proceed on the right track and
like you we will be following, monitoring and encouraging steady
progress to get to the election by the end of this year.=92
On the issue of terrorism, he said Bangladesh did well in 2007 in
its fight against terrorism and the efforts needed to continue to have
stability and economic progress.
Boucher said, =91An elected government can be a solid foundation to
continue with the fight against terrorism and improve the human rights
situation in the country.=92
In reply to a question on probable emergence of terrorism before
the elections, he said, =91There is the possibility for disruption in
the election process by extremist groups and Bangladesh needs to
remain vigilant against extremists and terrorists.=92
He gave an assurance of US support for Bangladesh in enhancing
counterterrorism efforts.
The US ambassador in Dhaka, James F Moriarty, and the American
Center director, Amy Hart Vrampas, were present at the briefing.
|
