Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia on Sunday told the
visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian
Affairs, Nisha Desai Biswal, that her party wanted a solution through
dialogue to the present political crisis over an election-time
government that would be acceptable to all.
The US assistant secretary of state, who arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on
what is seen as a crucial mission to press the rival political camps to
find a solution to the current impasse, met the BNP chief at her
Gulshan
office last night. The meeting lasted more than an hour from 8:15pm.
After the meeting, BNP vice-chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury at a news
briefing said Khaleda had told the US diplomat that BNP wanted a
solution acceptable to all through dialogue for holding a free, fair,
competitive and inclusive election.
He quoted the BNP chairperson as telling the US diplomat that the people
of Bangladesh at the moment wanted credible elections and BNP would do
whatever was necessary to this end.
Shamsher said that Nisha had told Khaleda that US wanted democratic
governing system to continue in Bangladesh and political-social and
economic stability in the country
He quoted Nisha as saying that the US looked forward to a free, fair
credible and inclusive election in Bangladesh. She also said that the
people of Bangladesh would take a decision on it.In reply to a question,
Shamsher said that Khaleda had explained elaborately at the meeting
what the people of Bangladesh wanted about the election. Shamsher also
quoted Khaleda as telling Nisha that a fair election would not be held
under a partisan government.
Asked whether the US envoy had urged Khaleda to join the election under
an all-party interim government, he said, ‘It is out of question’.
Shamsher said the US diplomat had come here not to give any advice or put any pressure.
Asked whether the issue of oath-taking of the interim government,
scheduled for today, had come up during the meeting, he replied in the
negative.
In reply to another question, Shamsher said the people of Bangladesh
wanted a free and fair election which was possible under a non-party
government.
He said it was not only the demand of BNP but also the people of the country.
He said the recent history of the country had proved that it was not
possible to hold fair elections without a non-party government.Asked how
Nisha had viewed the BNP’s stand, he said she had taken note of it.
The US envoy said the US wanted free and fair election through which democracy would grow stronger in Bangladesh.
Shamsher said Nisha had told Khaleda that the US secretary of state had
appreciated the statement the BNP chairperson had made at a news
conference on October 21 when she showed a way to strengthening
democracy and how to lead the country forward.
The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere when matters related to bilateral interests were discussed.
Khaleda told Nisha that Bangladesh and the US had special relations and it would grow stronger in the days to come.
US ambassador Dan Mozena, acting BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul
Islam Alamgir and BNP chairperson’s adviser Reaz Rahman, among others,
were present at the meeting. (source)