Ensure freedom of press,scope for NGOs: Hillary

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure that media outlets are able to exercise freedom of the press and that NGOs have the opportunity to be a vibrant contributor to the future of the country, reports UNB. Before the meeting with Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at the State Department in Washington Wednesday, Hillary also voiced concern over the functioning of the Grameen Bank productively after its managing director Prof Yunus was removed. "And of course, we have expressed directly to the government our concern and hope that the Grameen Bank, which was well recognised by the world, particularly with a Nobel Peace Prize for what it's done to help alleviate poverty, is able to continue to function productively on behalf of the Bangladeshi people,'' she said. On fighting poverty and terrorism, she said, "We have certainly watched with great interest as Bangladesh has tackled poverty. We appreciate the close cooperation on counterterrorism, an issue that is very important to both of our countries.'' On regional integration, she said US wants to work with Bangladesh and other countries in the region to promote regional integration so that there are greater economic opportunities, that many of the problems that prevent the free flow of commerce can be overcome so that the people of the entire region can prosper. In response, Dipu Moni said Bangladesh, as a secular democratic country, having a very free and robust media, the very vibrant civil society, looks forward to more effective cooperation with countries like the US, which is a good friend and partner. " I can assure Secretary Clinton and everyone, friends all over the world, that Bangladesh government will do and is doing everything in its capacity to uphold all the values that we all cherish of freedom, of liberty, of cooperation, of rights for everyone.'' About Grameen Bank, she said as a statutory body enjoying all the rights and privileges that it does, Bangladesh government is also proud that the country has a Nobel-winning institution. " And we believe firmly, firmly believe, that it will continue to do the job that it is supposed to do with a lot of success,'' she said, adding ''we will see cooperation in every sector, including trade and investment, from the US.'' During the meeting that lasted for 45 minutes, the repatriation of Bangabandhu's killers from USA, trial of 1971 war criminals, duty-free access of Bangladesh products to US market and Grameen Bank issues came up for discussion. Hillary also appreciated the achievements of Bangladesh in combating the menace of terrorism and mentioned that Bangladesh is a model country for its role in this connection. She expressed her satisfaction over the meetings the US Ambassador-at-large for War Crimes Stephen Rapp had with the Bangladesh authorities and hoped that the trial of the war criminals will be conducted in conformity with the international standard. The Foreign Minister extended an invitation to Hillary Clinton to visit Bangladesh to which she responded positively by saying that she would like to visit Bangladesh next year.