The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The United States expressed the hope that a healthy democracy would return to Bangladesh through an election acceptable to all.

The US Assistant Secretary of the State Richard A Boucher said this on Thursday while delivering a speech on 'Present Situation of South Asia' at the School of Advanced International Studies of Hopkins University in Washington DC, reports America News Agency (ANA) from Washington DC yesterday.

Richard Boucher said Bangladesh was passing through a critical period. The country is heading towards general elections. The roadmap of the elections has already been announced.

"It (situation) will lead Bangladesh to a free and fair elections," he said.

Richard Boucher, however, did not talk at length on Bangladesh in his speech, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Humyun Kabir was present at the meeting.

While exchanging pleasantries with Ambassador Humayun Kabir after his speech, Richard Boucher said he was very positive about the outcome of the recent visit to Dhaka by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State John Gastright

Richard Boucher told the Ambassador that John Gastright had a successful visit to Dhaka.

It may be mentioned that John Gastright during his visit to Dhaka reiterated US administrations support to the Caretaker Government

In his speech, Richard Boucher said the US wanted to see democracy flourish in countries.

"The US is working to establish the democratic institutions in Afghanistan, wants to see Presidential election of Pakistan before general elections and hopes democracy will prevail in Pakistan," Boucher is quoted to have said.