Special Correspondent from London
US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E Biegun has said that Bangladesh’s future lies in the path to democracy.
He made this comment in reply to a question on Bangladesh issue during a teleconference arranged by the US Department of State on Tuesday.
In the teleconference Bangladeshi journalist M Mushfiqul Fazal asked, “Thank you, Deputy Secretary, Mr. Biegun, for visiting Bangladesh. I am originally from Bangladesh, based in Washington, D.C., working for Just News BD as the State Department and White House correspondent. So I think you had the opportunity to observe the country situation very closely during this period. The democracy, rule of law, and human rights situation is very vulnerable, as it is clearly mentioned in the U.S. State Department report. It is widely believed the last election was stolen and ruling authorities did not allow State Department-organized election observers and the U.S. experts, these appointed just after the election. My question: What is your present position on Bangladesh as ruling government is on zero tolerance on freedom of expression? What was your call to the authorities to return back to democracy with holding a free, fair, and credible election, as the U.S. is the largest development partner of Bangladesh, one of the largest development partners? “
In reply Deputy Secretary Biegun said, “I did have some great discussions about a wide range of issues with the Bangladeshi Government and also civil society, and I had a chance to talk with the – to meet with independent media and have a discussion with them about the current state of affairs in Bangladesh. Let me just say that it’s my confirmed belief, it’s the United States view that Bangladesh’s future lies in the path to a – to democracy, that Bangladesh – what distinguishes Bangladesh as a leader in South Asia has been Bangladesh’s constant efforts to advance towards democracy.”
“Through 50 years of independence, through military dictatorships, through coups, still the goal of perfecting democracy remains a critical element of a bright future, and it’s certainly one that the United States is going to provide every assistance and encouragement for,” he added.
Deputy Secretary Biegun further said, “Of course, that message is one that I echoed in my – in some of my meetings in Bangladesh. But the United States wants to work with the Bangladeshi Government to get to this state. We are fully cognizant that Bangladesh is advancing in a region which has not always been hospitable to democracy, and building a democratic culture and having it sink in and sustaining it over a course of numerous elections is a challenge that every nation has to confront on its own, and in the case of Bangladesh that’s no different.”
“So I’d make – I’d be careful not to make a crowd judgment about Bangladesh as a snapshot in the current moment, but rather look at it in the larger continuum of what we want for Bangladesh and what we believe the Bangladeshi people themselves want for their own country.”
He said, “I’m confident that deepening our relationship, continuing to give voice and example to our own values here in the United States of America, to having an open ear to the government as well as civil society in Bangladesh are the best ways that we can produce that outcome. And rest assured that we will continue in that journey with the people of Bangladesh and its government to achieve the best possible form of democracy in that nation.”
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