Momen likes Blinken’s ‘positivity’
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen yesterday said he liked the positive tone of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during their telephone call on Wednesday evening.
Blinken told Momen that Dhaka and Washington have a lot of scope to work together on issues, including climate change, democracy, human rights and peacekeeping.
"I said we have several dialogues with you. You could consult us [before imposing sanctions]. Mr Blinken said 'you can also call me, feel free to call me'," Momen told reporters at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy yesterday.
"Blinken said 'come to Washington next spring'. I said we would meet soon, hold dialogues. He was very positive. I liked the way he responded to us," he said.
The phone call came after the US on December 10 imposed sanctions on Rab and seven of its current and former top officials on human rights grounds, alleging responsibility for disappearances, extrajudicial killings and torture.
Earlier, the Biden administration also dropped Bangladesh from the list of invitees to the Democracy Summit that took place on December 9-10.
On December 11, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen summoned US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller and said the accusations against Rab were not corroborated by facts.
Momen said Blinken congratulated Bangladesh on the 50th Victory Day during their phone conversation.
Momen, who was attending an event at the Bangabhaban on the occasion of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind's visit when Blinken called him, told the US secretary of state that his countrymen did not like the US decision without consultation.
"I said we have a very trusted friendship with you [the US] of 50 years. We are a country that solves all problems through discussion. So, we expect you to let us know before making any decision."
He explained to Blinken that the US has some global priorities that include preventing terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking -- ills that Rab have fought well against in Bangladesh. So, it was unfortunate that the US sanctioned Rab, the foreign minister told Blinken.
After the Holey Artisan attack, there has not been a single terrorist attack in Bangladesh and that is because of Rab, he said, adding that people also trusted the force and it is not involved in corruption.
Blinken said they would discuss the issues and their door for discussion is open.
"I said you accused those who protect human rights. I said six lakh people in the US disappear every year. Police kill 1,000 people in the line of duty [in the US]," Momen said, recalling his conversation with Blinken.
Asked if he sought withdrawal of the sanctions on Rab, Momen said he did not directly say that but that was the thrust of the conversation.
"We have a good rapport with the US ... the sanction was imposed because of the Congress."
Meanwhile, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement yesterday that Blinken reaffirmed America's long-standing partnership with Bangladesh in development, economic growth, and security.
Blinken and Momen discussed the importance of human rights and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and address shared global challenges, Price said.
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