Whoever wins polls have to focus on democracy, fighting terrorism: US envoy
Thursday, 25 December 2008
American Ambassador James F Moriarty spells out three priorities for the would-be winner of Bangladesh elections to focus on restoring full democracy, development, and denying opportunities for terrorism to flourish, reports UNB.
"Any successful government in Bangladesh has to address all three." Otherwise, he says in advance, "Bangladesh will face even greater challenges than it does at present".
The US Ambassador in an interview with VOA said, "If the democracy does not function well, you will see ungoverned space, you will see much slower economic development than you would otherwise.
If development doesn't occur, you will have a lot more poor people, you will have a lot more opportunities for bad guys to do bad things." Moriarty has appeared recently twice with Awami League president Sheikh Hasina. But he says he is not playing favourites and hopes to meet BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia again before polls day. "We have no preferred candidate," he said.
"Any successful government in Bangladesh has to address all three." Otherwise, he says in advance, "Bangladesh will face even greater challenges than it does at present".
The US Ambassador in an interview with VOA said, "If the democracy does not function well, you will see ungoverned space, you will see much slower economic development than you would otherwise.
If development doesn't occur, you will have a lot more poor people, you will have a lot more opportunities for bad guys to do bad things." Moriarty has appeared recently twice with Awami League president Sheikh Hasina. But he says he is not playing favourites and hopes to meet BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia again before polls day. "We have no preferred candidate," he said.