The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

US charge d'affaires Geeta Pasi met with the Jatiya Party Chairman and former president LT Gen (Retd) HM Ershad and other JP leaders yesterday as part of her round of talks with the political parties.

They discussed the current political situation in Bangla-desh and the status of the election roadmap.

The US envoy hoped that the parliament election would be held according to the roadmap of the Election Commission.

"The US has confidence on the EC's roadmap. The US believes that the election will be held on time," she said.

The US envoy reiterated the US government's desire to see free, fair and fully participatory elections by the end of 2008 as promised by the caretaker government.

Pasi said Bangladesh should continue the democratic progress.

Gen Ershad said, "Local government elections can be held before the national polls as a stage rehearsal or test case to see whether the government lacks any preparation for the election."

"JP does not want any election just for the sake of an election, it wants a meaningful election," said the former president.

During the hour-long meeting in the afternoon Pasi underscored the importance of the role of political parties have to play in the process.

She also stressed the importance of dialogue between the political parties and the government in order to establish the proper conditions for the elections.

Pasi is slated to meet leaders of BNP among other parties in the near future.