German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Troster has expressed displeasure over what he says BNP misquoted him on Bangladesh's democracy and human rights issues after his meeting with the party's leaders last month, reports UNB.
"I read that I had uttered concerns about the human rights situation and democracy in the country. This is not true. I was unhappy with this (misquoting)," he said.
The German Ambassador made the remarks while responding to a question at 'DCAB Talk' hosted by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Jatiya Press Club in the city on Wednesday.
DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke at the programme.
The ambassador said he and his deputy had a meeting with BNP leaders at their chairperson's Gulshan office at the invitation of the party standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury which was attended by its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Khasru, who briefed the reporters after the two-hour closed-door meeting, quoted the ambassador as saying Germany is 'concerned about Bangladesh's democracy and human rights'.
While responding to a question, Ambassador Troster said he likes to be quoted directly, not by the third person. "You can quote me what I am saying."
The ambassador also said his country wants participatory polls in Bangladesh as democracy and human rights are the key to Germany's foreign policy.
"The government of Germany is absolutely in favour of peaceful elections and expects that every serious political actor takes part in it but refrains from any violence," Troster said.
Asked whether he represented the western diplomats in the meeting with the BNP leaders, the envoy replied no as it was just a courtesy call and nothing more.
He said he does also meet government ministers and discuss various issues of mutual interests and both sides have been talking about the whole range of bilateral relations.
The envoy said Bangladesh is important for them as a 'stable partner.'
Talking about the human rights issue, Troster said they are talking about it in the Embassy and in Germany as they have a commitment to it worldwide. "We made this a subject of continuous dialogue."
