US-Bangla partnership dialogue begins
The United States yesterday sought tips from Dhaka to deal with global terrorism and extremism, saying many countries could replicate Bangladesh's experience in addressing the issue.
US Under Secretary of States for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman said this during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Gono Bhaban.
PM's ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy and US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal were also present.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM's Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhuri said the US highly appreciated Bangladesh's success in containing terrorism and militancy as well as economic and social development under Hasina's dynamic and able leadership.
"We treat the terrorists as terrorists as they don't have any border and religion," the PM said, adding that Bangladesh is committed not to allow its land for terrorist activities against any country.
Hasina laid emphasis on stopping illegal arms trafficking across the world to control global terrorism.
About the alleged irregularities in the just concluded three city corporation polls in Dhaka and Chittagong, Sherman said some irregularities in polls also happened in the US.
But, the government always tries to perform better next time, she said, and hoped that Bangladesh would continue its efforts to improve the electoral system.
Hasina said the military rulers after 1975 had manipulated the country's electoral system and now Bangladesh had come out largely from that situation.
Hasina also said the BNP had boycotted the city polls to make the election controversial.
Sherman termed the BNP's decision of boycotting the election very unfortunate.
The US under secretary hailed the transformation and development of Bangladesh's ready-made garment sector after Rana Plaza collapse in 2013.
The PM urged the US under secretary to raise the price of the RMG items to further increase the wages of workers.
Pointing out to the recent devastating earthquake in Nepal, Sherman underlined the importance of regional preparedness for disaster management, particularly tackling earthquake.
The PM informed the US officials that the international community could use the Bangladesh airports for handling of the relief materials bound to Nepal.
Sherman highly appreciated Bangladesh's success in achieving many MDG targets, including the MDG4.
Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, and US Ambassador in Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, among others, were present.
Bangladesh and the US yesterday began a two-day partnership dialogue to advance the robust and growing bilateral relationship and provide it a strategic direction, our diplomatic correspondent adds.
“This year, we've broadened the discussion to include an emphasis on the environment, health and infectious diseases, and the blue [maritime] economy,” US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat tweeted soon after the dialogue began.
“A tune-up for our 2 countries as we continue to refine our strategic engagement,” she tweeted.
Wendy Sherman and Nisha Desai Biswal, who arrived in Dhaka yesterday, will attend the plenary session today.
Sherman leads the US delegation while Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque the home side.
Diplomatic sources told The Daily Star that the two sides would discuss the full range of bilateral activities, including development and governance, trade and investment, and security cooperation.
They said the crucial dialogue was taking place at a time when the US, UN, UK, EU, Australia and Canada have expressed their disappointment over the April 28 city corporation elections in Dhaka and Chittagong, which was marred by electoral irregularities and violence.
According to a media note of the US State Department, “She [Sherman] plans to raise issues related to the political situation with the government and other interlocutors.”
The two top US diplomats will also meet top political leaders, senior government officials and civil society members during their stay in Dhaka, said sources.
There will be a joint press conference this morning on the outcome of the dialogue.
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