The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

US Charge d'Affaires Geeta Pasi Thursday said Bangladesh should return to democracy as soon as possible and hold free and fair elections to allow people to select their leaders. "It's important in our views that the country should return to democracy as soon as possible," she told reporters after meetings with Health and Food Adviser M Shawkat Ali and Law Adviser A.F. Hassan Ariff at their respective ministries. Pasi said, "We support the caretaker government as it implements the election roadmap and welcome the Chief Adviser and others' commitment to the elections." She said, "There must be elections that will allow people to select their leaders through free, fair and credible elections." Referring to corruption cases, she said it is important to follow the due process, respect human rights and international standard in all cases and the cases must be transparent.

The US envoy came up with the remarks within days of US Special Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Donald Camps' remarks that the sooner the state of emergency is lifted the better and the sooner the election can be held the better.