US, UK, EU welcome Chief Adviser's speech
Sunday, 21 September 2008
The United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union made guarded response to Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed's speech last night announcing the dates for parliamentary and upazila parishad elections, reports UNB.
"We are still analysing the Chief Adviser's remarks, but we are pleased to see that elections will be held before the end of this year according to roadmap. And we look forward to seeing free, fair and credible elections this year," a spokesperson for the US embassy in Dhaka said.
A British High Commission spokesman said, "We welcome the confirmation of date for the parliamentary polls and the reassurance that this will provide to Bangladeshi people."
A spokesman for the European Commission in his instant reaction said they welcome the Chief Adviser's speech. "But we will observe the next steps concerning the elections."
European Commission (EC) External Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero will meet Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury on September 22 in New York and discuss the latest developments on the ground ahead of the election.
The EC will take the decision as to whether or not to send its Election Observer Mission on the basis of outcome of the meeting.
"We are still analysing the Chief Adviser's remarks, but we are pleased to see that elections will be held before the end of this year according to roadmap. And we look forward to seeing free, fair and credible elections this year," a spokesperson for the US embassy in Dhaka said.
A British High Commission spokesman said, "We welcome the confirmation of date for the parliamentary polls and the reassurance that this will provide to Bangladeshi people."
A spokesman for the European Commission in his instant reaction said they welcome the Chief Adviser's speech. "But we will observe the next steps concerning the elections."
European Commission (EC) External Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero will meet Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury on September 22 in New York and discuss the latest developments on the ground ahead of the election.
The EC will take the decision as to whether or not to send its Election Observer Mission on the basis of outcome of the meeting.