Dhaka not ready to recognise Kosovo yet
Bangladesh does not perceive it necessary now to recognise Kosovo as an independent Balkan state as Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes yesterday indicated that Dhaka weighs its geopolitical and other consequences.
The foreign secretary cleared Bangladesh's position within 72 hours of US Ambassador James Moriarty's request to the government of Bangladesh to recognise the Balkan state soon.
The ambassador made the call during a meeting with Foreign Minister Dipu Moni Thursday, as a tug-of-war between rival world powers over the breakup of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is yet to be over.
In reply to a question, Quayes said Bangladesh wants to maintain good relations with both the United States and Russia and does not want to see one play against another.
About trial of the war criminals, he said the government has made precise decision to hold the trial to heal the pains and hoped the world community would support it.
Asked about US, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan's positions on the issue, the foreign secretary said those who were in favour of war crimes in 1971 might obviously feel embarrassed. About Pakistan, he said Islamabad “should not escape but accept the reality”.
In this context, he mentioned the meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani in Egypt when the Pakistan prime minister expressed his desire to move forward.
About bringing back the killers of Bangabandhu from abroad, he said efforts are underway to bring the fugitives back to the country through international agencies. He said the government would complete legal procedures, if required, to run in those killers.
Asked whether Bangladesh High Commissioner to Australia Lt Gen Masud Uddin Chowdhury has been called back, he said he is still in Canberra as the High Commissioner and if any such development took place, it would be notified.
About former military attaché to Washington Brig Gen Fazlul Bari, he said Brig Bari was scheduled to return in April and necessary measures are being taken from his service.
On the dispute with Myanmar on maritime boundary, he said the last meeting on the issue between the two countries made progress and hoped the matter would be resolved through negotiations.
On Tipaimuk dam, Quayes said the visit of the parliamentary delegation was useful as Bangladesh got some data and information about the dam from India. The data and information are being examined by the experts, he said, adding that more information will be sought from New Delhi in this respect.
In reply to a question about Foreign Minister Dipu Moni's visit to New Delhi, he said the foreign ministry has been working on that and hoped it would be a watershed meeting.
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