Crowley links democracy in Bangladesh to continued US support
Friday, 14 March 2008
Congressman Joseph Crowley, Co-chair of the US Congressional Bangladesh Caucus, Wednesday stressed the need to strengthen democracy in Bangladesh through free, fair and transparent election for continued US support, reports UNB.
'This is the best time to get things right in Bangladesh and there is an urgent need to strengthen democracy through free, fair and transparent election for receiving continued US support,' he said at the Capitol Hill in Washington DC.
Referring to the ongoing anti-corruption drive, he also suggested maintaining due process of law during the trials of the arrested leaders.
Mentioning the vastness of change in Bangladesh, Congressman Sheila Jackson said that the Bangladesh Caucus would work to strengthen democracy in Bangladesh. She appreciated the leadership of the Embassy in working with the Caucus.
Earlier, Co-chair of the Caucus Congressman Nancy Boyda expressed her keen interest in the developments in Bangladesh and assured the readiness of Bangladesh Caucus to extendd all possible cooperation toBangladesh in her efforts to strengthen democracy.
Among the congressmen, Dennis Moore of Kansas, Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, Michael A Arcuri of New York were present in the meeting.
In his introductory remarks, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Humayun Kabir termed the Congress Caucus as a strong pillar of support for Bangladesh in the USA and sought their support for promoting a mutually beneficial and dynamic bilateral partnership between Bangladesh and the USA.
During his presentation, Ambassador Kabir reiterated the commitment of the Caretaker Government to democracy and outlined the progress toward holding the elections before the end of 2008.
He also highlighted the initiative of the Caretaker Government to address the challenge of extremism and terrorism in Bangladesh, improve human rights situation including the progress toward the formation of the Human Rights Commission and efforts to improve workers' rights.
He sought the support of the caucus for post-Sidr relief package, which is being worked on in the administration, passage of NPDA to grant duty-free access to the US market and inclusion of Bangladesh in the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Programme.
Ambassador Humayun Kabir also sought US support for Bangladesh to deal with the climate change challenges on medium and long term bases.
He also extended an invitation to the members of the Bangladesh Caucus to visit Bangladesh.
The members promised to support Bangladesh on these issues and expressed their intention to remain engaged in dialogue with the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington.
It was the first time the Congressional Caucus sat with the Bangladesh Embassy in a formal setting, according to a dispatch received in the city Thursday.
'This is the best time to get things right in Bangladesh and there is an urgent need to strengthen democracy through free, fair and transparent election for receiving continued US support,' he said at the Capitol Hill in Washington DC.
Referring to the ongoing anti-corruption drive, he also suggested maintaining due process of law during the trials of the arrested leaders.
Mentioning the vastness of change in Bangladesh, Congressman Sheila Jackson said that the Bangladesh Caucus would work to strengthen democracy in Bangladesh. She appreciated the leadership of the Embassy in working with the Caucus.
Earlier, Co-chair of the Caucus Congressman Nancy Boyda expressed her keen interest in the developments in Bangladesh and assured the readiness of Bangladesh Caucus to extendd all possible cooperation toBangladesh in her efforts to strengthen democracy.
Among the congressmen, Dennis Moore of Kansas, Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, Michael A Arcuri of New York were present in the meeting.
In his introductory remarks, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Humayun Kabir termed the Congress Caucus as a strong pillar of support for Bangladesh in the USA and sought their support for promoting a mutually beneficial and dynamic bilateral partnership between Bangladesh and the USA.
During his presentation, Ambassador Kabir reiterated the commitment of the Caretaker Government to democracy and outlined the progress toward holding the elections before the end of 2008.
He also highlighted the initiative of the Caretaker Government to address the challenge of extremism and terrorism in Bangladesh, improve human rights situation including the progress toward the formation of the Human Rights Commission and efforts to improve workers' rights.
He sought the support of the caucus for post-Sidr relief package, which is being worked on in the administration, passage of NPDA to grant duty-free access to the US market and inclusion of Bangladesh in the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Programme.
Ambassador Humayun Kabir also sought US support for Bangladesh to deal with the climate change challenges on medium and long term bases.
He also extended an invitation to the members of the Bangladesh Caucus to visit Bangladesh.
The members promised to support Bangladesh on these issues and expressed their intention to remain engaged in dialogue with the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington.
It was the first time the Congressional Caucus sat with the Bangladesh Embassy in a formal setting, according to a dispatch received in the city Thursday.