Staff Reporter :Foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka have expressed deep concern over the loss of lives and properties in Bangladesh due to the ongoing violence and arson attacks.They condemned these destructive political acts during a diplomatic briefing on Monday at the State Guest house Padma in the city. Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali briefed the diplomats about the government’s one year diplomatic successes and the current political situation in the country. The foreign diplomats from the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Brazil, Australia, South Korea, North Korea and UN representative in Dhaka attended the briefing.”The foreign diplomats categorically said that destructive activities, setting fire and damaging properties are contrary to democracy. They expressed severe dissatisfaction over the current situation in the country,” Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque told newsmen after the briefing.He said, “The diplomats said that it was not possible to uphold the democracy by conducting arson and vandalism. …We hope, the violence will be stopped soon.”In this backdrop, the Foreign Minister informed the diplomats that the government remained committed to upholding the democratic rights of the people, provided all political parties shun the path of violence and terrorism, and use the democratic space in a responsible manner, added Shahidul Haque.The Foreign Secretary said the diplomats opined that democracy cannot be upheld through violence and hoped that the current destructive activities will come to an end immediately. The briefing was organised as part of the Foreign Minister’s “regular consultations” with the ambassadors and heads of mission in Dhaka.However, it came at a time when the BNP-led 20-party opposition alliance was enforcing the countrywide nonstop blockade.Earlier on January 14, the Foreign Minister briefed the ambassadors of the European Union countries and the head of delegation of the European Union in Bangladesh on the current political situation in the country.
