BNP slams govt for \\\'distorting\\\' Cameron\\\'s statement

Accusing the government of distorting British Prime Minister (PM) David Cameron's remark he made during a meeting with Sheikh Hasina about Bangladesh's January-5 election, BNP cautioned Saturday that such attitude might dent the country's ties with foreign countries and international agencies, reports UNB.

"Spreading lies about the statements of foreign friends and international bodies is devoid of diplomatic norms as it creates confusion. There's a strong possibility that the country's ties with foreign countries and international organisations can be hampered due the government's such attitude," BNP vice-chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said this while speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson's Gulshan office in the city Saturday.

The BNP leader said the government's falsehood about the British PM's remark has forced the Downing Street to issue a press statement on the meeting. "Issuing such a statement from the British PM's Office on the meeting with a foreign country's head of government is quite unusual."

"The Bangladesh Foreign Minister has said David Cameron told Hasina that the election was over. It's past. Now we look at the future. But the Downing Street spokesperson's statement on the meeting proved that the government resorted to lies," Mobin said.

Addressing a press conference Thursday on PM's UK visit, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said the British government wants to strengthen its relations with Bangladesh on all fronts to help Bangladesh take its development trajectory to a newer height.

"The election is over. It's past. Now we look at the future. We want to work with your government and strengthen the ties," he quoted British Prime Minister David Cameron as saying during his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.