The United States said on Saturday that it hoped that the controversy over removal of Muhammad Yunus from Grameen Bank, he had founded, would be resolved mutually in an amicable way to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the microcredit institution.
'The United States have concerns about the way the matter (removal of Yunus) has been handled,' the visiting US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia Robert O Blake told reporters after an hour-long meeting with the leader of the opposition, Khaleda Zia, at her Gulshan office in the city.
He said that Grameen Bank and Muhammad Yunus were held in great respect in the United States.
'Certainly, you have already seen the statements our government has made in this regard. In addition to this, a number of senators and congressmen from Capitol Hill sent letters to Bangladesh expressing their concerns about the issue,' he said.
'So, we hope,' he said, 'this can be resolved mutually in an amicable way and a compromise will be found that will ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the Grameen Bank, because it has been an important institution for Bangladesh, particularly for ensuring empowerment of women.'
'Begum Zia also made the point to me about the issue,' he said
Blake said that he discussed with the leader of the opposition issues of bilateral interests including anti-terrorism and economic affairs.
He said he would have an 'important conference' with diplomats based in Dhaka on the issue of anti-terrorism.
BNP chairperson's Advisers Reaz Rahman, Osman Farruk and Sabiuddin Ahmed and the US ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty were present during the discussions.
Blake who arrived in Dhaka Saturday afternoon on a four-day visit leaves on March 23.
According to a US State Department announcement, Blake's three-nation tour would also take him to China and Kazakhstan until 26.
Read the original story on the daily New Age
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