US wants all-party dialogue for fair polls: Uzra Zeya

The United States wants dialogue among the political parties for a free and fair election, said US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya.

"...We are all for dialogue but we do not have direct involvement in this," she said after holding a more than 1 and half hours meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen at the State guest house Padma today.

She said she heard strong commitment from the prime minister and other ministers and officials to hold a free and fair election.

"We want strong democratic institutions in Bangladesh for deepening our relations for the next fifty years," Uzra Zeya said.

US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Donald Lu, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas were present at the meeting.

Officials from the ministries of law, labour, and home were also present.

She also discussed elaborately in the Rohingya issue.

Uzra said the US wants safe and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas, but not by force.

The conditions in Myanmar, however, are not conducive in Myanmar, she added.