Matter to be settled in court: FS

Visiting US assistant secretary of state Robert O Blake has requested the government to make a 'compromise' on Yunus issue, report agencies. "I have discussed with the prime minister the Dr Yunus issue. I have expressed the hope that a compromise can be found that will again ensure independence and integrity of Grameen Bank," Blake told reporters Sunday after a meeting with foreign secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes. However, the Bangladesh foreign secretary told a press briefing that the government had nothing to do with the Yunus issue as it would be settled in the court. "The US assistant secretary of state met me today and discussed the issue, but I told him that it's pending with the court and the government can do nothing," he said. Blake met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the morning. The US assistant secretary arrived in Dhaka Saturday on a four-day visit and he met leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia on the same day. In reply to a question Blake said "I will leave it to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her team to describe their position. I hope a successful resolution can be found." "Such a compromise will allow us to continue good progress on our bilateral relations," he observed. Insisted whether the US government was asking for a compromise, US ambassador to Bangladesh James F Moriarty said, "Yes, compromise." Blake met Hasina along with Moriarty. A release of the US Embassy said they discussed the full range of bilateral and multilateral issues, including counter-terrorism, economic development, regional and global security, and civil society's concern. They reiterated their respect for Dr Yunus and expressed hope, shared by the US Congress and the public at large, that an agreement could be reached and that nothing would be done that might damage the effectiveness and integrity of Grameen Bank. James Wolfensohn, former President of the World Bank, who is in Dhaka to have discussions on microfinance in the region, also attended the meeting. Quayes told the newsmen that Blake had given some suggestions to reach an 'alternative solution' on the Yunus issue and requested him to convey the message to stakeholders concerned Quayes said he told them, "When I'll have the opportunity, I'll convey the message." "It's the finance ministry which deals with the matter and it's not under the jurisdiction of the foreign ministry," he said. (See also Page 2)