UNB, Dhaka :
The United States sees Bangladesh’s growing engagement with major global players India and China as a ‘good thing’ that brings ‘gains for everyone’.
US Ambassador Dan W Mozena said this at a country lecture titled ‘America’s Partnership with Bangladesh: Stronger, Deeper and Broader than Ever’ in the city.
“Of course, Bangladesh is going to have a good relation with India. There’s no option …I’ve visited so many districts on the border. I’ve seen the potential for enormous flow of trade with seven sisters (Indian states), which is really not happening now,” said the diplomat.
On China, Mozena said Chinese engagement here is a good thing for Bangladesh. “Deepening its (Bangladesh’s) partnership with China…that’ s good for Bangladesh, that’s a good thing, everybody gains.”
He referred to China Major Bridge Engineering Company (CMBEC) which got the job of Padma Bridge construction and mentioned that the bridge will have enormous contribution to the GDP.
Mozena said his mandate was to broaden, deepen and strengthen America’ s
partnership with Bangladesh as the US thinks ‘sky is the limit’.
“I still drag my mandate with me everywhere I go and I’ll continue to work to fulfill that mandate …to the benefit of the people of both America and Bangladesh,” he added.
The US diplomat said Bangladesh is a country of deep strategic importance and interest to America and that is why Bangladesh matters to America.
“Our partnership is in fact broader, deeper and stronger. That’s very important for America and also for Bangladesh. I know it’s good for the region,” he added.
On the areas of disagreements, Mozena referred US’ concerns regarding respect for human rights, concerns about extrajudicial killings, abductions and disappearances. “These are all documented in our Human Rights report.” He expressed disappointment for not being able to resumption of US’ Peace Corps operations in Bangladesh which was suspended indefinitely in March 2006 fearing possible attacks on its volunteers.
Asked whether the US changed its stance over fresh election in Bangladesh, Mozena referred to the previous statements after the January 5 elections to find the answer.
He mentioned that America has an important valued agenda in Bangladesh, as his country believes that a democratic Bangladesh, a Bangladesh that respects its citizens’ human rights will be a stronger partner for them.
Mozena said his mission, in line with advancing America’s interest, is to promote a Bangladesh that is peaceful, secure, prosperous, healthy and democratic. “We’re working with our Bangladeshi partners to promote a Bangladesh that is peaceful, secure, prosperous, healthy, and democratic.”
