Staff Reporter :The visiting US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman, has stressed the need for transparent probe into ‘allegations’ of irregularities surrounding the recently concluded city corporation polls.”I think where everyone needs to focus on [that] to have a transparent investigation into those irregularities making sure that the next elections are highly improved. This is very important for democracy,” she told journalists at a joint press conference after the two-day fourth Bangladesh-US Partnership Dialogue that ended on Friday. Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque and US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, who led their respective sides in the two-day dialogue, briefed the journalists. The governments of Bangladesh and US have vowed to work together on national and global interests and advancing common goals in development, trade, security and regional integration, said Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque. “We both countries vowed to work together on issues relating to national and global interests and advancing common goals in development, trade, security and regional integration,” he said. The foreign secretary said a broad spectrum of bilateral issues, including sustainable development, climate change and migration were also discussed. Apart from this, Shahidul Haque said, discussion on scientific and technological cooperation, regional integration, blue economy, energy cooperation, peacekeeping operations, counter-terrorism, education and cultural links also took place. US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman said her government remains focused on a long-term solution that accommodates all parties and allows the Bangladeshi people the opportunity to participate in politics and peacefully express their views. “Today I’m here to discuss what this dialogue represents: finding ways that two moderate, pluralistic nations can work together to advance common goals in development, trade, security, and regional integration,” she said. She said US made a lot of progress on those goals, especially in development, where Bangladesh has made remarkable strides. “And we’ll continue to stand with the Bangladeshi people and support that progress through President Obama’s Global Health, Feed the Future, and Global Climate Change initiatives,” Wendy Sherman said. She added they support Bangladesh’s goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2021 – and they are actively partnering with Bangladesh and investing their resources to make it a reality. “Bangladesh’s thriving garment sector will be the engine that drives that growth and helps Bangladesh reach that goal,” said the visiting US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs. She said the garment sector can help lift millions more Bangladeshis out of extreme poverty, and as it moves up the value chain, can bring many billions more dollars into Bangladesh’s economy. “As part of our commitment to help build a strong “Brand Bangladesh” that is respected worldwide, we are working with the government, brands, factory owners, and unions to help build respect for workers’ safety and labor rights here,” she said.Wendy Sherman said a lot of progress has been made on that front in the last two years. The government has registered more than 250 new unions, created a public online database of factories, and begun training to over 100 new labour inspectors, among many other accomplishments. “The United States values freedom of the press as a key component of democratic governance. Democratic societies are not infallible, but they are accountable, and a free exchange of ideas is the foundation for accountability,” she said.Wendy Sherman said when the press can not do its job properly, society suffers. “There are plenty of differences between the United States and Bangladesh, but we should remember what unites us — a determination to provide children with nutrition and education; a passion for expanding opportunities for women and girls; a belief in religious and ethnic diversity and tolerance; and a shared commitment to the never-ending process of perfecting our political institutions,” she said.Secretary to Maritime Affairs Unit, Rear Admiral (retd) M Khurshed Alam, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal, US Ambassador Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, Foreign Ministry DG (Americas) Muhammad Mahfuzur Rahman and DG (EP) S Bodiuzzaman were present at the briefing.
