US seeks Bangladesh support in recognising Kosovo
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Bangladesh has not yet firmed up its stance on the question of recognising Kosovo's independence despite persistent diplomatic manoeuvring by the US Ambassador in Bangladesh James F Moriarty, who met Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Tuesday for a second time to purse recognition of the newly cut-out Balkan state, reports agencies.
Moriarty met Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at his office in the city Tuesday to seek Bangladesh's support in recognising Kosovo.
Talking to newsmen afterwards, Moriarty said the main purpose of his visit was to urge the foreign adviser to consider the recognition of Kosovo, though they discussed some other bilateral issues as well.
He said more countries recognised 'this successful state, which has a lot of parallel in Bangladesh.' He termed Kosovo as a 'breakaway state of tolerant Muslim majority country.'
Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury said that he had discussed bilateral issues with the US Ambassador. But the main purpose of the meeting was to seek formal recognition for Kosovo from Bangladesh. He said that Bangladesh would discuss the issues with other Muslim countries.
He told newsmen that the foreign ministry had already issued a statement on Kosovo. The statements of Bangladeshis were overwhelmingly in support of the people of Kosovo for a variety of reasons. It was hoped that a decision in this regard could be taken soon in consultation with others Islamic countries.
"In such cases, perceived national interest is always the key," he added.
The US and some European countries have accorded formal recognition to Kosovo, this has been strongly opposed by Russia, to a certain extent by China, and some others.
Also the recent meeting of Islamic Foreign Ministers in Uganda failed to reach a consensus on the subject. "We do not think we would be able to reach a consensus in this regard," Dr Chowdhury said.
He, however, expressed his firm belief that Bangladesh would maintain close relations with Kosovo.
The Foreign Adviser also stated that Darfur and Bangladesh's peacekeeping role featured in the talks, and the Ambassador was appreciative of such role in general, though with regard to supply of some specific equipment, such as helicopters, there could be some constraints on the part of Bangladesh.
He further observed that Ambassador Moriarty had informed him of some additional US support for Sidr-affected region.
Responding to some questions on the current political issues in Bangladesh, the US ambassador observed that these were mostly matters for Bangladesh to decide.
Moriarty met Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at his office in the city Tuesday to seek Bangladesh's support in recognising Kosovo.
Talking to newsmen afterwards, Moriarty said the main purpose of his visit was to urge the foreign adviser to consider the recognition of Kosovo, though they discussed some other bilateral issues as well.
He said more countries recognised 'this successful state, which has a lot of parallel in Bangladesh.' He termed Kosovo as a 'breakaway state of tolerant Muslim majority country.'
Dr Iftekhar Chowdhury said that he had discussed bilateral issues with the US Ambassador. But the main purpose of the meeting was to seek formal recognition for Kosovo from Bangladesh. He said that Bangladesh would discuss the issues with other Muslim countries.
He told newsmen that the foreign ministry had already issued a statement on Kosovo. The statements of Bangladeshis were overwhelmingly in support of the people of Kosovo for a variety of reasons. It was hoped that a decision in this regard could be taken soon in consultation with others Islamic countries.
"In such cases, perceived national interest is always the key," he added.
The US and some European countries have accorded formal recognition to Kosovo, this has been strongly opposed by Russia, to a certain extent by China, and some others.
Also the recent meeting of Islamic Foreign Ministers in Uganda failed to reach a consensus on the subject. "We do not think we would be able to reach a consensus in this regard," Dr Chowdhury said.
He, however, expressed his firm belief that Bangladesh would maintain close relations with Kosovo.
The Foreign Adviser also stated that Darfur and Bangladesh's peacekeeping role featured in the talks, and the Ambassador was appreciative of such role in general, though with regard to supply of some specific equipment, such as helicopters, there could be some constraints on the part of Bangladesh.
He further observed that Ambassador Moriarty had informed him of some additional US support for Sidr-affected region.
Responding to some questions on the current political issues in Bangladesh, the US ambassador observed that these were mostly matters for Bangladesh to decide.