Staff Reporter :US Undersecretary for political affairs Thomas A Shannon on Sunday appreciated Bangladesh’s leadership role in crucial areas of the world.He said, every country, including Bangladesh, can only achieve its full potential when national debates are done through ‘peaceful and open democratic process.He was addressing a seminar, titled, ‘US-Bangladesh Relationship: Working Together on Global Issues’ organized by Bangladesh Institute of International Strategic Studies (BIISS). BIISS Chairman Munshi Faiz Ahmed presided over the discussion while Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and BIISS Director General Major General AKM Abdur Rahman also spoke on the occasion, among others. “Municipal elections will be held later this month and I hope everyone will utilise this opportunity to reaffirm Bangladesh’s commitment to democracy,” he said.Shannon said, The USA is working towards a common vision to make Bangladesh ‘inclusive, prosperous and secure’.”Violent extremists and terrorists don’t share that vision. They wish for a divided, weakened and chaotic Bangladesh. They want to destroy long traditions of religious tolerance and communal harmony,” said the US diplomat.He said, both the countries together have accomplished ‘much’. “But there is much more to do. Together we must continue to create a future where our children can grow up healthy and educated.” He laid emphasis on the exercise of citizens right’s and freedom without ‘fear of harm’ and to make it sure that all can live together in peace. Shannon said that the past 40 years had shown that Bangladesh and the US could accomplish ‘amazing things’ together making in the field of it was climate change, security, women’s empowerment and national development.”And the next 40 years will be no different, because our partnership is one whose strength, resilience, and potential will only grow with time,” he added.
