The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty Wednesday hoped there would be compromise to make the ongoing political dialogue fruitful paving the way for holding free, fair and credible elections by the end of the year.

"There is room for compromise and I hope to see a comprise in next weeks or months. But I don't know what would be the compromise, it's up to the people to decide," he told reporters after a meeting with Home Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin at his ministry. Asked who should make compromise, the Ambassador said everybody should make the compromise and none will get 100 percent if there is compromise.

Asked about the outcome of the dialogue in absence of the two former Prime Ministers, he said he would not make comment on the party position, but added that he witnessed seriousness on the part of the Advisers. "Ultimately it is the people to decide." Replying to a question about the state of

emergency, the US said he and his government continue to believe that it is difficult to hold free, fair and credible elections under the state of emergency. He, however, said he is encouraged to know there are some steps taken by the caretaker government to ease the emergency and hoped that the general elections would occur without the emergency. The Ambassador said he had fruitful meeting with the Home Adviser talking bilateral issues, law and order and the election roadmap. He said he was reassured by the Home Adviser that the election roadmap is in place to hold free, fair and credible elections by December this year.

Earlier, the US Ambassador met with Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader at his ministry.