"Bangladesh has so many positive things, but unfortunately, the US doesn't have any strategic relation with the country," visiting US Congressman Curt Weldon said yesterday adding that from both demographical and geographical perspectives, Bangladesh is of high strategic importance to the US.

The member of the US House of Representatives was talking at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club organised by Global Alliance for Homeland Security (GAHS), Asian Regional Chapter.

At the invitation of GAHS, Weldon and seven others came to Dhaka on Monday.

Stressing the need for building strategic relation between the two countries, Weldon said, "As we concentrate on Pakistan and India, why don't we pay attention to Bangladesh when she has significant achievements in various aspects."

The US Congressman also gave assurance that he along with his colleagues would muster support for duty-free access for Bangladeshi products to the US market. "The US should import all the products from Bangladesh that she imports from other countries," he added.

Hailing the ongoing drive against corrupt politicians and others, Weldon expressed hope that a fair and free election would be held in Bangladesh eventually.

Bangladesh is also important to the US because it is probably the only country in the world that has democracy with a Muslim majority population, he noted.

"This is an exciting country with exciting people," Weldon said adding, "We are overwhelmed with the emotion of the people of Bangladesh."

The US congressman apologised that most of his colleagues is unaware of Bangladesh. "Out of 535 congressmen, probably 98 percent doesn't know about this beautiful country."

Replying to another question, Weldon said that democracy in US is not perfect always. "We have many imperfections, many of our people are not happy with the government policy."

Timothy D Ringgold, a US defence expert, Maj General (retd.) Ron Bath, Asef Bari, co-chair of GAHS, among others, addressed at the press conference.

WELDON MEETS BUSINESSMEN
Visiting US Congressman Curt Weldon termed the ongoing changes in Bangladesh 'healthy' for the country's democracy.

He also noted that political leadership is extremely important for guiding a nation.

Weldon was speaking at a meeting with the country's business leaders at the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) office.

The objective of the visiting US mission is to promote investment in Bangladesh apart from assisting the local government and private enterprises to improve their operations and security against terrorism.

Also the former vice-chair of the Armed Services Committee and House of Homeland Security Committee, Weldon said that having a good relationship between the militaries of the two countries is important at the moment.

The US congressman observed that democracy is yet to be practised perfectly in any country, even in the US. "After 230 years of democracy, the US is yet to be a perfect democratic nation," Weldon said.

The US needed more than 150 years to establish the women' suffrage while it took 100 years to establish the right of the black people, Weldon added.

"Bangladesh is now a booming economy and we are here to help you to boost it further and also want to work with you to develop your private sector," he said.

Weldon also noted that Bangladesh could be the alternative to China for supplying readymade garment products to the US market and it should be the primary supplier.

The US wants to assist Bangladesh in the areas of education, science and agriculture, he added.