Govt, opposition should come together to settle JS seat arrangement: Moriarty
Saturday, 6 June 2009
US Ambassador James F Moriarty Thursday night said his country hopes that the government of Bangladesh and the opposition BNP will come together to settle the dispute over seat rearrangement in parliament, reports UNB.
"My government wants to see democracy stronger here… thus BNP has an important role to play. We do hope that the government and the opposition can come together (on) accommodation so that parliament can work effectively," he said replying to a question over seat arrangement row between the ruling party and BNP.
Asked if they have any plan to play role in resolving the present deadlock between the ruling party and the BNP over seat rearrangement in parliament, the US envoy replied in the negative saying that seat arrangement obviously is an internal affair.
The US Ambassador made the remarks at a joint press briefing after his meeting with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office in the city.
Replying to another question, Moriarty said the government and opposition should work together on the country's pressing issues for the good of its people.
Replying to a question on US assistance in energy sector, Moriarty said they are eager to cooperate with Bangladesh in this sector 'but it depends on the government decision'.
The meeting that lasted for about two hours from 7:40 pm discussed bilateral matters and US President Obama's Thursday's speech at Cairo University in Egypt.
BNP chairperson's foreign affairs adviser Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said the BNP chairperson informed the US envoy about her party's stand to strengthen democracy through making parliament effective, but the opposition will have to be given that opportunity to play its part.
Khaleda appreciated US President Obama's speech at Cairo University terming it as a historic speech for all of the Muslim World.
She said there should be just and lasting solution to Palestine issue on the basis of a two-state policy. "If President Obama takes initiatives in this regard, he could keep contributions to world peace," Khaleda was quoted as saying.
The BNP Chairperson assured that the people of Bangladesh would extend all-out cooperation to Obama's initiative in establishing peace in the world.
"My government wants to see democracy stronger here… thus BNP has an important role to play. We do hope that the government and the opposition can come together (on) accommodation so that parliament can work effectively," he said replying to a question over seat arrangement row between the ruling party and BNP.
Asked if they have any plan to play role in resolving the present deadlock between the ruling party and the BNP over seat rearrangement in parliament, the US envoy replied in the negative saying that seat arrangement obviously is an internal affair.
The US Ambassador made the remarks at a joint press briefing after his meeting with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office in the city.
Replying to another question, Moriarty said the government and opposition should work together on the country's pressing issues for the good of its people.
Replying to a question on US assistance in energy sector, Moriarty said they are eager to cooperate with Bangladesh in this sector 'but it depends on the government decision'.
The meeting that lasted for about two hours from 7:40 pm discussed bilateral matters and US President Obama's Thursday's speech at Cairo University in Egypt.
BNP chairperson's foreign affairs adviser Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said the BNP chairperson informed the US envoy about her party's stand to strengthen democracy through making parliament effective, but the opposition will have to be given that opportunity to play its part.
Khaleda appreciated US President Obama's speech at Cairo University terming it as a historic speech for all of the Muslim World.
She said there should be just and lasting solution to Palestine issue on the basis of a two-state policy. "If President Obama takes initiatives in this regard, he could keep contributions to world peace," Khaleda was quoted as saying.
The BNP Chairperson assured that the people of Bangladesh would extend all-out cooperation to Obama's initiative in establishing peace in the world.