No major agreement with any country before polls: FM

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said on Thursday that Bangladesh is unlikely to sign major agreements with any country before the upcoming polls.
"I don't think that we are going to sign any agreement with any country before the elections," the minister responded when asked whether Bangladesh would sign two defence-related agreements with the United States in line with the US proposal.
The foreign minister was talking to reporters after meeting with a section of civil- society members at the Foreign Service Academy in the city.
In response to another question, the foreign minister said the government will be very pleased if the USA freezes the bank accounts of Bangladeshis who laundered money there.
Addressing yet another question, the foreign minister said that he was not aware of any US plans to impose sanctions on 11 Bangladeshi individuals. "I don't know anything about it; you may ask them [the US]," the minister said.
Abdul Momen observed that the common people of the country are concerned about civic rights and utilities; they are not at all concerned about the form of government under which the next election will be held.
He mentioned that elections were recently held in 67 countries and some 22 countries around the world will hold elections in the coming months. However, the US and the West seem concerned only about the election in Bangladesh.
The foreign minister said the two US congressmen, who are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh next week, will visit the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar.
"They will also have a courtesy call with us, the foreign minister," he noted, highlighting that the frequent visits by US dignitaries reflect US President Joe Biden's commitment to strengthening relations with Bangladesh.
The minister said that civil society members felt that journalists lack the skills to ask questions to diplomats.
"They suggested holding workshops to teach journalists how to question diplomats," the minister quipped.
He added that the foreign ministry holds consultations with civil society members off and on, and this meeting was part of the process.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com