US denies \\\'oust Hasina\\\' plot

The US embassy in Dhaka has denied any attempt by American agencies to unseat Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Reacting to a story ‘Major US operation to oust Hasina’ carried by bdnews24.com, the Dhaka embassy spokesperson Monica Shie said on Thursday the news report quoting Indian intelligence has been discussed internally. ‘There is absolutely no truth to this story,’ US embassy spokesperson Monica Shie claimed in an emailed response. ‘As you know, the United States and Bangladesh enjoy a strong friendship and close cooperation on a wide range of issues including countering violent extremism, building our trade relationship while improving worker safety, and enhancing regional economic engagement,’ Shie said. ‘Just this week,’ she continued, ‘the United States was proud to announce that we officially offered the United States Coast Guard Ship (USCGS) ‘Rush’ to Bangladesh on Aug 8. The Rush will complement the Somudra Joy, which was transferred to the Bangladesh Navy last year.’
‘We look forward to further broadening and deepening our bilateral relations at our annual Partnership Dialogue, scheduled for October in Washington,’ she added, according to bdnews24.com.