Staff Reporter :
Expressing concern over the ongoing unrest and violence in Bangladesh, new US Ambassador Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat has said everyone has a role to play in bringing an end to the violence and to resolve their differences through non-violent and responsible political expression.
She hoped that the people of Bangladesh would find a way forward to stop the current political impasse. She also assured that foreign friends, including the US, would extend help if the country wants.
The new US ambassador made the comments during her first press conference at the American Club in Dhaka on Tuesday. She, however, said that they support ‘vibrant democracy’. “The US wants to see vibrant democracy in Bangladesh.”
Regarding a dialogue between Awami League and BNP to resolve the political standoff, she said, “I have every hope that Bangladesh will find a way forward, but I don’t predict.”
She further said that the US deplores the attacks, including arsons and train derailments that have killed and wounded many innocent victims.
Condemning the violence for political objectives, she expressed her belief that there is simply no justification for such actions in a democratic Bangladesh.
About the current political crisis, she said that her country would not meddle in the internal affairs of Bangladesh. She said the US doesn’t back particular political force or party but will work with everyone in Bangladesh.
“Our intension is to work with all Bangladeshis, including a government that is receptive to a broader and deeper bilateral relationship with the US,” she said.
Replying to a question, the US envoy said, “The solution and the means for addressing the political differences that exist within Bangladesh are for Bangladeshis to come up with. I have every hope. ”
Responding to another question about the 2014 Election of Bangladesh, she said that the US earlier cleared its poison in this regard. The US did not change its position. The US wants to see strengthened democratic institutions in Bangladesh, she added.
Bernicat termed the US-Bangladesh relations deep and broad and said, “Our focus now is to look ahead and move the relationship forward.”
She further said: “The government-to-government ties are important, but we should recognise they play a supporting role for something even more impressive . . . the strong and organic people-to-people ties that continue to lead and define our relationship.”
“With a Bangladesh diaspora half a million strong living in every corner of the United States, hundreds of thousands of other Bangladeshis who have studied or lived in the United States, and the growing number of Americans who visit or live in Bangladesh, it is the people of our two countries who are, more than ever, driving our relations forward,” she added.
About Bangladesh, she said, the country is the largest contributor to peacekeeping operation in the world.
Besides, she said, the country has a rapidly growing economy. It has achieved a very impressive sustained economic growth. It has the largest single export market. It is an important player is South Asia’s future regional connectivity. For these reasons, the US has a strategic interest in partnering with Bangladesh.
