US support to continue
Defence Secretary Esper calls Hasina, discusses Rohingya crisis, extradition of Bangabandhu’s killer Rashed Chy
The USA has assured Bangladesh that it will continue its support to bringing about a peaceful resolution to the protracted Rohingya crisis.
The assurance came during a phone call by US Defence Secretary Mark Esper to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday.
"The US defence secretary phoned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this [yesterday] evening and assured her of continuing US support in bringing a peaceful solution to the Rohingya problem," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said.
He said the PM also sought the US defence secretary's support in repatriating Rashed Chowdhury, fugitive convicted killer of Bangabandhu, who is now residing in the USA.
Esper assured the premier of extending cooperation in this regard, the press secretary said.
The defence secretary said his government stands ready to offer any help to Bangladesh in handling flood or any other natural disaster that the country might face.
He talked with the premier about the range of defense cooperation existing between Bangladesh and the USA.
Esper thanked Hasina for extending cooperation during the coronavirus pandemic that hit the USA hard.
The premier expressed condolences for the loss of lives in the USA and praised the support provided by the USA to Bangladesh in handling the Covid-19 pandemic.