We're open to dialogue, but need to consider with whom: Momen

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said on Tuesday that the government has no problem with dialogue, but needs to consider with whom it will do so.
"We will do everything to uphold democratic values and if that requires dialogue, we are ready to do it," the foreign minister said at the ministry regarding the US call for unconditional talks among political parties to resolve the ongoing political impasse.
"…but we have to consider with whom we will sit for dialogue," the minister added.
Amid the ongoing nationwide blockade and escalating political tensions over the poll-time government, US Ambassador to Dhaka Peter D. Haas on Monday chipped in with diplomatic efforts for a resolution.
The envoy reached out to key political parties with a letter from the US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Donald Lu. In the letter, the US urged the parties to hold dialogues to resolve the current political stalemate over the nature of the election-time government.
Referring to the US call for talks, Momen said Bangladesh is a free country and that everyone feels free to express their opinions and suggestions.
Even countries like the US are not as free as Bangladesh, Momen commented, adding that outsiders are not allowed to make suggestions about domestic policies in the US.

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