‘UK minister surprised at Tarique\\\'s claim’

Visiting UK Minister of State for International Development Alan Duncan expressed surprise over BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman's claim that his father Ziaur Rahman was the 'first president of Bangladesh', says State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, reports UNB.
"They're surprised. They're also not getting any explanation why a political party suddenly comes up with a distorted version of history. They expressed their surprise," Alam told reporters quoting Duncan as saying Tuesday.
The junior minister also said the issue came up for discussion when he raised it saying Tarique Rahman made a statement in London and what they (British govt) think of it.
In response, the British Minister said this came to them as a strange idea and they were surprised at the attempts to distort history.
He was talking to the journalists after a meeting with Duncan at his office. British High Commissioner in Dhaka Robert W Gibson was also present at the meeting.
Asked whether there was any discussion on the January 5 election and future political dialogue, the state minister said they did not raise any question on the acceptability of the election.
"They're going to meet opposition leader Raushan Ershad," he said adding that it makes clear their position.
He also said Duncan expressed satisfaction as the country is back to business and the people of Bangladesh got back relief after the January 5 elections.
The State Minister also said they have discussed various issues of cooperation, including the ways how the Rohingya issue can be resolved.
Responding to a question on bringing back Tarique Rahman, he said there is no warrant against him right now. "There're certain procedures. Once warrant is issued then only we can act," he said adding the Home Ministry will look into it.