The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

US Charge d' Affaires Geeta Pasi yesterday said the United States wants to see a free, fair, credible and participatory election in Bangladesh by end of this year and the government should do everything that is required for holding election in time.

"We, and also the people of Bangladesh, want a free, fair and credible election by December this year according to the roadmap announced by the Election Commission, and for this the caretaker government should do everything that is required," she said suddenly starting a 'dialogue diplomacy' with the country's political parties.

The US Charge d' Affaires made the remarks while talking to reporters after holding a nearly two-hour long meeting with the Awami League leaders at Gulshan residence of party's Acting President Zillur Rahman in the morning.

Later in the afternoon, Pasi held a meeting with the leaders of a faction of BNP known as 'reformists' at the Baridhara residence of a BNP's acting chairperson Saifur Rahman.

The US envoy stressed the need for dialogue between the political parties and the government. "We underscored the need for dialogue between the political parties and the government," she said.

She hoped that the political parties of the country are taking preparations for the next step towards holding free and fair elections.

"The political parties have to play an important role and take preparations as the election is scheduled to be held at the end of this year. With that role, they have also the responsibilities of moving things forward to hold elections."

Pasi said the United States supported the Election Commission announced electoral roadmap and want to see election in time.

She appreciated the government for undertaking steps, including separation of judiciary from the executive, and independence of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Commission.

Replying to a query about detained Awami League chief and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, she said the US is in touch about the matter. "Sheikh Hasina is the issue before the Court and we did not touch on that."

About the meeting with Awami League leaders, the US Charge d' Affaires said it was a productive discussion and a number of issues including trial and treatment of Sheikh Hasina, electoral roadmap, election and the government-proposed dialogue came up at the meeting for discussion.

"I am very pleased to have an exciting meeting with Awami League leaders. We exchanged views about the current political situation of the country. We also shared common views," she said.

Briefing journalists, Acting AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said they had a very fruitful discussion with the US Charge d' Affaires, where a number of issues came up and it was an open-minded discussion.

"The United States supported the announced electoral roadmap and want that election should be held as per roadmap and state of emergency should be lifted ahead of the parliamentary polls," he quoted Geeta Pasi as saying.

The AL leader said that Geeta Pasi was found very much concerned about the health condition of Sheikh Hasina and she wanted proper treatment to be provided to Hasina at home and abroad.

"She (Pasi) believes in the rule of law and she wants everything will be done not violating human rights. The US envoy wants that the trial of Sheikh Hasina should be carried out upholding the human rights."

She stressed the need for immediate dialogue between the political parties and the government, saying that the USA want dialogue should be started at the earliest possible, as it is very essential.

"At the meeting, we told her (Pasi) that we support the EC announced roadmap and we don't have any other views about the roadmap. But we want parliamentary election first and then the local bodies' elections," he said.

AL leaders Zillur Rahman, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzaq, Tofael Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Matia Chowdhury and Kazi Zafarullah were present at the meeting.

In the afternoon, Acting BNP chairperson M Saifur Rahman made a plea for general election between June and September as US charge d'Affaires Geeta Pasi suggested working out a modality for free, fair and credible polls no later than end of this year.

" This is an important time. Political parties are going to dialogue, the government promised dialogue and we look forward to that, " Pasi told reporters after nearly a one- and-a-half-hour meeting with Saifur at his Gulshan house from 3:30pm.

Apparently taking on the role of a go-between for a rapprochement between the government and the politicians, Pasi said she would continue her meetings with other elements of BNP and other parties in comings days and weeks.

The US envoy, who also met with the Awami League leadership earlier in the day, said the parties, civil society and the government should work out together a modality so there will be free, fair and credible elections no later than the end of this year.

In reply to a question, she said the present political situation, reforms by caretaker government, election roadmaps and corruption cases came up for discussion with Saifur.

Pasi said the USA supports the election roadmap and reforms, including the separation of the judiciary and independence of the election commission.

Referring to the corruption cases against politicians, she reiterated the US government stance for following the due process and international standards in trying the cases and respect for human rights.

The former Finance Minister, who is heading the reformist faction of the immediate-past ruling party in the changed political context, advised that the matter of holding election to the local bodies should be left to the next elected government.

" It will be good for the country if elections are held as early as possible…It would be better for the economy and it would help bring down prices of commodities," he said.

In his most comprehensive statements over the current situation since the January 11, 2007 changeover, the veteran former minister said the election commission and the government should not unnecessarily expand its agenda and move forward to hold the parliamentary elections.

Referring to the Election Commission-political party dialogue, he said BNP supports 80 per cent of proposals placed by other parties during the dialogue.

"Now we are stuck up in case. If the election commission invites us, we will join," he said, indicating to the writ filed with the High Court by detained ex-PM and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia challenging EC invitation to his faction for joining the dialogue.

Asked about the proposed dialogue with the government, the former

Finance Minister said issues of accountability, revival of the economy and fight against corruption would come up from BNP side.

About BNP's unity, Saifur said he had discussion with BNP chairperson's adviser Brig (Retd) Hannan Shah who sent them a draft proposal that contains abandoning the standing-committee meeting

decisions taken on October 29 last year.

"We feel BNP remains united if the others do not obstruct," he said.

Acting BNP secretary general Maj (Retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed was present at the meeting with Geeta Pasi.