Bangladesh does not want a return to cold war on Georgia, says Iftekhar
Sunday, 21 September 2008
Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Saturday said Bangladesh did not want a return to cold war situation in the wake of conflict between Russia and the United States (US) over Georgia, reports UNB.
"We want resolution of any conflict through negotiation. The way French President Sarkozy had ensured a ceasefire in Russia-Georgia war through negotiation, the conflict between Russia, US and NATO could be resolved through peaceful discussions," the Foreign Adviser told journalists.
Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Chowdhury made the comments after a meeting with US Ambassador James Moriarty who explained to him US position on a number of important international issues including Georgia and Kosovo on the eve of Iftekhar's departure for the UN General Assembly.
Moriarty again urged the Bangladesh government to recognise Kosovo as soon as possible.
Iftekhar said, "We want peace so that development work are not impeded and smaller states could move ahead, maintaining their sovereignty."
Asked about the US plea to recognise Kosovo, the Adviser said every sovereign nation took its decision considering the perceived national self-interest.
Earlier, Ambassador Moriarty told the journalists that US felt disturbed over the situation in Georgia and wanted an international framework that would lead not only Russian withdrawal from Georgia but stabilise the situation and prevent any further damage in the area.
Moriarty said if Russia recognised independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, there was no reason at all why Kosovo will not be recognised.
He said US did not believe Abkhazia and South Ossetia were independent states that should be recognised.
According to a release of the Foreign Ministry, Iftekhar said that the US was a close friend and US position on different issues merited the most serious and positive consideration.
He said countries like Bangladesh wished to see a "peaceful world when the circumstances are appropriate to seek development goals."
He praised the initiative of French President Nicolus Sarkozy on the Russian-Georgian war and said it was evidence of the fact that all disputes could and should be resolved through "peaceful negotiations."
"We have learnt in our generation, and indeed through history, that wars do not resolve problems, only compound them," he said.
"We want resolution of any conflict through negotiation. The way French President Sarkozy had ensured a ceasefire in Russia-Georgia war through negotiation, the conflict between Russia, US and NATO could be resolved through peaceful discussions," the Foreign Adviser told journalists.
Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Chowdhury made the comments after a meeting with US Ambassador James Moriarty who explained to him US position on a number of important international issues including Georgia and Kosovo on the eve of Iftekhar's departure for the UN General Assembly.
Moriarty again urged the Bangladesh government to recognise Kosovo as soon as possible.
Iftekhar said, "We want peace so that development work are not impeded and smaller states could move ahead, maintaining their sovereignty."
Asked about the US plea to recognise Kosovo, the Adviser said every sovereign nation took its decision considering the perceived national self-interest.
Earlier, Ambassador Moriarty told the journalists that US felt disturbed over the situation in Georgia and wanted an international framework that would lead not only Russian withdrawal from Georgia but stabilise the situation and prevent any further damage in the area.
Moriarty said if Russia recognised independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, there was no reason at all why Kosovo will not be recognised.
He said US did not believe Abkhazia and South Ossetia were independent states that should be recognised.
According to a release of the Foreign Ministry, Iftekhar said that the US was a close friend and US position on different issues merited the most serious and positive consideration.
He said countries like Bangladesh wished to see a "peaceful world when the circumstances are appropriate to seek development goals."
He praised the initiative of French President Nicolus Sarkozy on the Russian-Georgian war and said it was evidence of the fact that all disputes could and should be resolved through "peaceful negotiations."
"We have learnt in our generation, and indeed through history, that wars do not resolve problems, only compound them," he said.