Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey from the Pentagon
The sanctions imposed against former Bangladesh Army Chief General (retired) Aziz Ahmed by the United States reaffirm its commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law in Bangladesh.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated this in response to a question from Pentagon-accredited correspondent Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey on Tuesday. Ansarey sought to understand the US strategy on military and security cooperation with Bangladesh, given the US had already sanctioned top officials from the army, police, and RAB for gross human rights violations and significant corruption.
The correspondent highlighted in his question that Bangladesh is moving in the wrong direction, with extreme violations of human rights and democratic principles. He noted that the current regime is using security forces to maintain power by any means necessary.
The questioner then asked how the Pentagon was navigating its military and security partnership with Bangladesh.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder welcomed Ansarey to the briefing room and reiterated that the public designation imposed on former Bangladesh Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed in May for significant corruption underscores the US commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and upholding the rule of law in Bangladesh.
The US Department of Defense supports the anti-corruption efforts being undertaken in Bangladesh, Maj. Gen. Ryder added.
In his reply, Gen. Ryder further emphasized the Bangladesh-US bilateral relationship, saying, “I would conclude by saying that the US does have a close bilateral defense relationship with Bangladesh in support of shared values and interests, such as a free and open Indo-Pacific and maritime and regional security.”
MR/
