US envoy cautions against undermining Election Commission
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
US Ambassador James F Moriarty has again stressed the 'transforming' potential of the upcoming election, and cautioned against undermining the Election Commission (EC) at this crucial time, reports bdnews24.com.
He was optimistic that the election would restore a strong democracy in Bangladesh, Moriarty told journalists Monday after emerging from a meeting with Awami League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier this month, Moriarty told a public hearing in Washington DC, "In my view, other than last month's election in the US, there'll be no more transformational election in the world this year than the parliamentary elections scheduled for Dec 29 in Bangladesh".
Addressing the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, a Congressionally-mandated agency, at a hearing to explore the prospects for free, fair, and peaceful elections in Bangladesh, Moriarty had stated, "Bangladesh that is on the brink of a historic democratic transition which could make it a model of governance for other moderate Muslim nations."
The US envoy, after calling on Hasina on the eve of Victory Day, said that preparations for the election were almost complete and now the most important issue was the successful implementation of electoral laws.
It would not be wise at the moment to undermine the EC, he said.
On whether Moriarty had touched on the issue of a deep-sea port with access for all Asian countries, mentioned in both AL and BNP manifestos, Imam said that the US had always backed such an initiative and would continue to do so.
He was optimistic that the election would restore a strong democracy in Bangladesh, Moriarty told journalists Monday after emerging from a meeting with Awami League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier this month, Moriarty told a public hearing in Washington DC, "In my view, other than last month's election in the US, there'll be no more transformational election in the world this year than the parliamentary elections scheduled for Dec 29 in Bangladesh".
Addressing the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, a Congressionally-mandated agency, at a hearing to explore the prospects for free, fair, and peaceful elections in Bangladesh, Moriarty had stated, "Bangladesh that is on the brink of a historic democratic transition which could make it a model of governance for other moderate Muslim nations."
The US envoy, after calling on Hasina on the eve of Victory Day, said that preparations for the election were almost complete and now the most important issue was the successful implementation of electoral laws.
It would not be wise at the moment to undermine the EC, he said.
On whether Moriarty had touched on the issue of a deep-sea port with access for all Asian countries, mentioned in both AL and BNP manifestos, Imam said that the US had always backed such an initiative and would continue to do so.