US views on Jan 5 polls unchanged

US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena yesterday reiterated that there had been no change in US views on January 5 polls as it called for immediate dialogue and holding fresh polls as soon as possible.
" …our view remained the same as stated on Jan 6," he said, adding: "It is not America to set the time line, we are clear in calling for immediate dialogue to find way to hold elections as soon as possible."
Speaking at a “Meet the Press” event in Dhaka, Mozena said, it was not about recognising the government as there was no such thing.
America recognised Bangladesh and it will continue to recognise Bangladesh, he added.
Asked about the timeframe for holding the new election as he previously favoured to hold it before monsoon, Mozena said, it is not for America to set the time line.
But the statement he made recognised that the monsoon starts in June, he added.
He also said the statement was made sometime back and he did not know whether it would be possible to maintain that time line.
At the event, Mozena introduced new USAID Mission Director Janina Jaruzelski.
Asked whether Washington would change its stance after a recent survey report of Democracy International, Jaruzelski said, any survey was simply a snapshot in time and not a reflection of an election.
The US-based organisation's survey says the Awami League would have won the elections even if all the political parties had contested.
Jaruzelski said the survey contains messages for both parties. It says that 57 percent people believe the elections were not credible and absolute majority people believe there should be another election relatively soon and certainly before five years.