Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday asserted that Bangladesh isn't anticipating sanctions from the United States, dismissing "rumours" and highlighting "positive" relations between the two countries.
Addressing journalists at the foreign ministry, he described his recent visit to Ghana, where he met with senior US officials who made no mention of sanctions. Momen attributed the "rumours" to "media speculation".
"Our relations with the US are very good," Momen said. "It is the media who are spreading rumours of sanctions."
"We don't anticipate any US sanctions," said the minister, highlighting the shared commitment to free, fair and non-violent elections.
Dr Momen said that the US was very "keen to sell" Boeing aircraft to Bangladesh and the US ambassador to Bangladesh was "trying to pursue" the concerned ministry in this regard.
He clarified that this aircraft offer is separate from the recent visa restrictions announcement by the US.
"It's natural for nations to promote their products," Dr Momen said, mentioning the reciprocity of such efforts by ambassadors worldwide.
Responding to the statement of six international rights organisations including the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights, who said that the government is repressing the opposition ahead of the national election, the minister denied any politically motivated arrests.
"Only individuals involved in criminal activities like arson and vandalism have been arrested," he commented.
"We are committed to upholding human rights. And our human rights records are far better than many countries in the world," he added.
Mr Momen said that over 27 parties are taking part in the national polls and there is fanfare across the country over the elections. "So, those who are saying that it will not be credible, are hypocrites."
On the Rohingya repatriation programme, Dr Momen expressed doubts about its pre-election implementation. He blamed some international organisations for delaying the process.
"When both Bangladesh and Myanmar were ready to repatriate some Rohingyas to their homeland a few days ago, they asked us not to send those Rohingyas. Now, the situation in Rakhine is not conducive as heavy infighting is going on there," he said.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com