Polls, Rohingya crisis feature meeting with US officials

Election, Rohingya crisis and the lifting of sanctions against RAB featured prominently in a meeting between the visiting US deputy assistant secretary Afreen Akhter and senior foreign ministry officials on Monday.
Ms Afreen had a two-hour meeting with foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen and other officials concerned of the ministry at the state guest house Padma.
Briefing the media on the meeting, Mr Masud said the US dignitary reiterated her government's position that they want to see a free, fair and participatory election in Bangladesh.
On election, the US diplomats expressed similar views that included in the recommendations of the US pre-poll observation mission.
"We told them that commitment of the highest level of our government was made repeatedly to ensure free and fair elections," added Mr Momen.
Responding to a query, he said Bangladesh was listening to the views of foreign countries as development partners about its elections.
"If you want to term it as interference in our domestic affairs, it is up to you," added Mr Momen.
Dhaka also urged Washington to withdraw sanctions against Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), especially those against individuals, he said.
Earlier, Bangladesh sought withdrawal of sanctions against the elite crime-busting force.
Asked why the government was prioritising lifting sanctions against individuals instead of the entire force, he said lifting sanctions against the force would require a long time.
"The government thus wants to see lifting of sanctions against individuals first as it takes shorter time."
The US team has been told that lifting sanctions would help enhance capabilities of RAB and maintain law and order to ensure an election.
The issue of Rohingya crisis was discussed in the meeting and Ms Afreen raised US concern over any move to repatriate the refugees by force or in an unsustainable manner.
Dhaka assured the US official that although repatriation was the main objective of Bangladesh, it would ensure voluntary and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya.
Responding to a query, Mr Momen said Bangladesh was not willingly to sign any deal with the US before elections.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post following the meeting, the US Embassy said both Dhaka and Washington wanted free and fair elections in a peaceful manner.
Referring to the meeting, it said, "We discussed our strong multifaceted bilateral relationship and its many aspects: US direct investment and trade, our longstanding development partnership, the Middle East, the recent visit of the independent and non-partisan election survey team, supporting Rohingya refugees and government efforts to ensure the people of Bangladesh cast their votes in free, fair and peaceful elections."

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