The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury has expressed the hope that the recent incident involving the theft of the Paris-bound artefacts and the consequent request for cancellation of the exhibition in Guimet will have no adverse impact on the larger bilateral relations between Bangladesh and France.

Speaking to the media on the mater yesterday he said: "Despite the regrettable incident and its consequences, we believe that the ties between Bangladesh and France are too strong to be adversely affected, and these spread across a wide spectrum of bilateral and multilateral activities".

Later, a spokesman of the Foreign Ministry when asked to comment on the recent remarks of the French CDA, stated that "it is always helpful when diplomatic agents exercise restraint and calm in their reactions".