The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The United States government is going to significantly increase fund and assistance for democracy and governance in Bangladesh in the year 2009. This was conveyed to the Congress by US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard A Boucher while appearing before the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs sub-committee on South Asia on Wednesday, according to a message received here today. Boucher and Mark S Ward, Senior Deputy Assistant of Administration for the Asia of USAID, appeared before the sub-committee for hearing on "US assistance to South Asia: is there a strategy to go with all that money?"

Boucher said: "In anticipation of a transition to a democratic government in Bangladesh following elections scheduled for December, our 2009 budget requests $US 21 million in support of democracy and governance programmes, more than double the 2008 enacted level."

This additional funding, he added, will help to promote comprehensive anti-corruption reforms, strengthen the government institutions, particularly at the local level; and support democratic political party development.

In response to a question from the chair, Boucher informed the House that US wants to see lifting of emergency before the election so that people can freely participate in the upcoming election. Congressman Pence (R-IN), Ranking Member of the Committee, earlier requested the US officials to rectify the inconsistencies in the US policy for foreign assistance.

Congressman Pence particularly referred to the instance of Bangladesh where US government provides an annual assistance of about 80 million while taking away more than 500 million as tariff from Bangladesh's export.

He noted that this is an example of disconnect between US foreign assistance and Foreign Policy adjectives and urged the administration to rectify this.

Mark S Ward informed the Congress that the US government is also planning to increase funding for further good governance reform initiatives that "build upon positive steps taken by Bangladesh's 2007 caretaker government."

Referring to recent cyclone in a neighbouring country, he highly appreciated the disaster preparedness and post-disaster recovery of Bangladesh.

Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-NY), who chaired the hearing session, noted Bangladesh's transition and acknowledged caretaker government's initiative like government's recent decision to allow indoor political gathering.

However, he expressed his hope that further steps will be taken to facilitate a democratic and legitimate election in Bangladesh.