US envoy backs PM's proposal

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena here yesterday endorsed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's proposal for appointing Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus the World Bank chief.
“I praise the work of Prof Muhammad Yunus, and I am sure if he agrees to his nomination for the position it will be given the fullest consideration”, Mozena told reporters at Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
He said he knew Prof Yunus's Grameen Bank very well, as he had lived in Bangladesh for three years a decade ago from 1998 to 2001.
“During that time, I visited many borrowers' groups of Grameen Bank. I saw with my very eyes the impact of Grameen Bank in helping the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable of the vulnerable, and helping women take control of their lives.
"And it was a beautiful sight”, he said.
“I came back to Bangladesh only three months ago. Already I have visited three Grameen Bank borrowers' groups, and every time I felt very inspired.
“I think of the work and vision of Prof Muhammad Yunus, as it was his idea. Many people said 'oh, you can't help the poorest of the poor, the most vulnerable of the vulnerable', but Prof Yunus said yes, you could, and he did that”.
The US ambassador said that if Bangladesh overcame some considerable obstacles, it would be a prosperous middle-income country in a decade or two.
He described communication infrastructure, power supply, corruption, political instability, investment climate, and rule of law, among others, as major areas where the obstacles exist.
Bangladesh could be the largest exporter of readymade garments in the world and a major player in the production of pharmaceutical supplies, he said.
Attending the launch of the Rajshahi Chapter of the Volunteers for Bangladesh with his spouse Grace Mozena yesterday, the US envoy said, “In America, volunteers play a critical role in developing our nation. Last year alone, 60 million Americans volunteered in their communities".
"In Bangladesh too, there is a strong spirit of voluntarism that can serve the people well”.
Talking about journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Mehrun Runi, Mozena described their murder as tragic and horrible.
"The media is a fundamental element of democracy and it cannot be democracy without a free and vibrant media. So, if the attack is against the media, it is even more horrific”.