The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The United States wants withdrawal of state of emergency to hold a good election in Bangladesh and it won't accept any deviation from the path of elections set for December this year. "Election must be held to get back to a democratically elected government next year. We could not certainly count other deviation or any other path," US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher told a press conference at the American Club here on Friday.

Asked if a credible election is possible under the state of emergency, Boucher said: "We don't think about good election under the emergency. Emergency has to be lifted. For a good election, it needs open political activities, meetings, rallies, debates and open information. We've been pushing to lift the emergency, which is necessary to have credible elections."

Asked if he foresees any military takeover after his meeting with the army chief, he said: "No, only path for Bangladesh is to restore democracy and have an election. We won't accept any deviation from that path. We will work with everybody to make sure Bangladesh can achieve that."

Boucher said the US goal is to support democracy and the democratic election to ensure over all stability in Bangladesh, which is in the interest of the US and of the Bangladeshi people including the army. The army chief told him how they are supporting the caretaker government to have the elections to get to the elected government. Asked about the US position if major parties abstain from the elections unless their leaders are released, he said: "The United States is not involved with political parties. We are not taking side, we are not choosing winner and we are not supporting any faction of political party or individuals. Our goal is to support democratic process and the people to get a chance to decide through the elections."

About the trial of former Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, Boucher said there are charges against the leaders and the government needs to follow due process of law and transparent trial, which is a different matter from the election process. "I realize, different political parties have different positions. But nobody can claim mandate or right to take away the rights of the people to get a chance of decide through elections." Asked if the elections will be credible without participation of the major parties, Boucher said he cannot deal with so many ifs and speculations. "We support the process proceeds in a manner so all the parties can participate… it is not the government, not the parties, but at the end it's (for) the people to decide."

Asked how far US is confident about the election according to the roadmap, the US official appreciated the efforts of the election commission for the progress in preparing a flawless electoral roll which is major achievement and other necessary things to get to the election.

"We all want the process proceed on the right track and like you we will be following and monitoring and encouraging steady progress to get to the election by the end of this year."

Boucher welcomes the dialogue between the government and the parties, expressing the hope that the dialogue would produce sort of understanding on conducting the election so voters can have choice. On the issue of terrorism, he said Bangladesh has done well last year in its fight against terrorism and the efforts needs to continue to have stability and economic progress.

Boucher said an elected government could be a solid foundation to continue the fight against terrorism and improve the human rights situation in the country.

In reply to a question, he said there is possibility to disrupt the election process by extremist groups and Bangladesh needs to remain vigilant against extremists and terrorists. He assured US support to Bangladesh to enhance counter terrorism On Bangladesh's access to the US President's MCA (Millennium Challenge Account), Boucher said two important criteria to get qualified for this fund is to lower down the level of corruption and improve the governance. He said Bangladesh has done well last year against the corruption and it needs to continue its endevaour to make further progress in good governance and reducing the corruption to get the access to MCA sooner than later.

US Ambassador in Dhaka James Moriarty and Director of the American Center Amy Hart Vrampas were present at the press conference.