US to help protect democracy in Bangladesh

Newly Appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat meets Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the latter's office at the Jatiya Sangsad yesterday. Photo: PID

The United States yesterday assured the government of helping Bangladesh protect and continue with the democratic process in the country.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Dhaka Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat made the assurance during her first call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter's Jatiya Sangsad office.

"We are committed to helping you protect and continue with the democracy in the country," AKM Shamim Chowdhury, press secretary to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, told reporters quoting the US envoy after the meeting.

Bernicat told Hasina that they truly valued Bangladesh's democracy. "We want to see continuation of democracy in the country," she was quoted by the press secretary as saying.

The US ambassador also assured the premier of her government's help in fulfilling the dream and vision of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

She expressed the hope that the friendly relations between the US and Bangladesh would be boosted in the coming days as both the countries maintain "very good relations", Shamim said.

In response, Hasina told the US envoy that democracy in Bangladesh was hard earned and her government was committed to upholding it and maintaining its continuation at any cost, he added.

Hasina also said her government believed in regional cooperation with the neighbours to take the country forward, fighting common enemies like poverty.

Outlining different development activities launched during her tenure, Hasina, also president of ruling Awami League, said her party had fought a war to bring independence of Bangladesh and thus had additional responsibility for the country. She also mentioned various steps taken for the development of women, education and human resources.

In her appreciation, the US envoy told the premier that there might have been some secrets behind such development. Hasina said there was nothing but commitment of her government that had led to the development.

Welcoming her to Bangladesh, Hasina assured Bernicat of highest cooperation from the government during her period in the country, the press secretary said.

Bernicat later witnessed parliamentary proceedings at the request of Hasina.

The premier's International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi, Senior Secretary of the Prime Ministers' Office Abul Kalam Azad were present during the meeting.