McCain hopes parties will continue reforms
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Republican US Presidential candidate John McCain said reform process taken by the present administration is not yet complete and it is now time for an elected successor to continue the process and to build democracy and bring prosperity for its people, report BSS, bdnews24.com/UNB.
McCain thanked the caretaker government and the army for their "efforts to strengthen the foundation of democracy" through reforms.
"Their work is not yet done, and it is now time for an elected successor to continue the reform process already begun," said McCain, who has an adopted daughter of Bangladeshi origin.
McCain underlined the need for accepting by all Bangladesh politicians the outcome of the December 29 parliamentary elections that would bring an end to two years of rule by the caretaker government.
Addressing a crowded press briefing at the ZIA International airport prior to his departure after a short visit to Dhaka, McCain sounded optimistic as regards to free and fair elections in Bangladesh. Senator Liberman and Senator Lindsey Graham, who accompanied McCain during the visit, also spoke.
McCain has said Bangladesh's next parliamentary polls could possibly be "the fairest" in the world.
Giving example of his country where the ruling party and the opposition work together, he said, it will be equally important for all to accept the results of the elections and work together in the country's interest."
He said he hoped the political parties would follow the examples in the US , accept the polls and both ruling and the opposition parties would closely work after the elections.
He left the capital after an 11-hour regional trip. He and two fellow senators Joseph Lieberman and Lindsey Graham arrived in the capital from New Delhi Tuesday night .
Foreign adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury saw the US senators off at the airport at 9.00am Wednesday.
McCain also expressed the hope that Bangladesh would play its role in combating terrorism in South Asia following last week's attacks in Indian Mumbai city which claimed at least 188 lives and couple of hundreds maimed.
He said, "We talked to officials of your government about the importance of coordinated action to fight terrorism in the region."
He told a questioner that he expected all cooperation from Pakistan in India's investigation of the Mumbai incident adding he would also visit Pakistan later this week.
He termed the attacks in Mumbai "unacceptable" and urged Islamabad to cooperate with India to bring the attackers to justice.
The US Congress has followed political developments in Bangladesh over the past two years very closely, he said adding this visit provided us an opportunity to observe the situation first hand.
He said, "We depart Bangladesh even more convinced of the importance of Bangladesh's return to a democratically elected government through free, fair and credible elections."
He said, "This is a nation of resilient and hard working people committed to building a better future for the next generation. A democratic and prosperous Bangladesh is important for the region and the world. We will continue to follow Bangladesh closely through the election process and transition."
He said trade between the two countries and climate change issues also figured prominently at the talks with government officials. He praised Bangladesh for successes in education sector and micro-credit programmes.
Meanwhile, McCain, accompanied by two other senators paid a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser and had a working breakfast at the CA's official residence 'Jamuna' in Hare Road at 7am.
Military role in the interim period, Bangladesh's export-oriented apparel sector and climate change also came up for discussion in the meeting held in a cordial atmosphere, officials said.
McCain thanked the caretaker government and the army for their "efforts to strengthen the foundation of democracy" through reforms.
"Their work is not yet done, and it is now time for an elected successor to continue the reform process already begun," said McCain, who has an adopted daughter of Bangladeshi origin.
McCain underlined the need for accepting by all Bangladesh politicians the outcome of the December 29 parliamentary elections that would bring an end to two years of rule by the caretaker government.
Addressing a crowded press briefing at the ZIA International airport prior to his departure after a short visit to Dhaka, McCain sounded optimistic as regards to free and fair elections in Bangladesh. Senator Liberman and Senator Lindsey Graham, who accompanied McCain during the visit, also spoke.
McCain has said Bangladesh's next parliamentary polls could possibly be "the fairest" in the world.
Giving example of his country where the ruling party and the opposition work together, he said, it will be equally important for all to accept the results of the elections and work together in the country's interest."
He said he hoped the political parties would follow the examples in the US , accept the polls and both ruling and the opposition parties would closely work after the elections.
He left the capital after an 11-hour regional trip. He and two fellow senators Joseph Lieberman and Lindsey Graham arrived in the capital from New Delhi Tuesday night .
Foreign adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury saw the US senators off at the airport at 9.00am Wednesday.
McCain also expressed the hope that Bangladesh would play its role in combating terrorism in South Asia following last week's attacks in Indian Mumbai city which claimed at least 188 lives and couple of hundreds maimed.
He said, "We talked to officials of your government about the importance of coordinated action to fight terrorism in the region."
He told a questioner that he expected all cooperation from Pakistan in India's investigation of the Mumbai incident adding he would also visit Pakistan later this week.
He termed the attacks in Mumbai "unacceptable" and urged Islamabad to cooperate with India to bring the attackers to justice.
The US Congress has followed political developments in Bangladesh over the past two years very closely, he said adding this visit provided us an opportunity to observe the situation first hand.
He said, "We depart Bangladesh even more convinced of the importance of Bangladesh's return to a democratically elected government through free, fair and credible elections."
He said, "This is a nation of resilient and hard working people committed to building a better future for the next generation. A democratic and prosperous Bangladesh is important for the region and the world. We will continue to follow Bangladesh closely through the election process and transition."
He said trade between the two countries and climate change issues also figured prominently at the talks with government officials. He praised Bangladesh for successes in education sector and micro-credit programmes.
Meanwhile, McCain, accompanied by two other senators paid a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser and had a working breakfast at the CA's official residence 'Jamuna' in Hare Road at 7am.
Military role in the interim period, Bangladesh's export-oriented apparel sector and climate change also came up for discussion in the meeting held in a cordial atmosphere, officials said.