US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Thursday reiterated that the US does not support any particular political party but supports the democratic process that will allow the people of Bangladesh to choose their next government.
“We believe everyone has a role to play, making sure that elections are free, fair and peaceful,” he told reporters after his meeting with the Awami League delegation led by its General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
Haas said the government, media, judiciary, political parties, civil society, security forces, and of course, voters each have a role in the democratic process.
“And each has to play their role and be allowed to play their role in order to have a free, fair and peaceful election,” he said.
On the question regarding the adamant stance of both Awami League and BNP over the issue of caretaker government, Haas said the US has no position whatsoever on that issue.
“That is for political parties to decide what their approach is. We’re only concerned and interested in (ensuring) that there will be free, fair elections that are free of violence,” he said.
Responding to a question on whether the US is being more aligned with the BNP, Ambassador Haas said, “It’s a weird question when I’m sitting at the Awami League headquarters. No, we meet with all political parties. We do not play favourites. I meet with both AL leaders and activists and ministers who are also part of the AL. There’s no preference; we meet people from all parts of society equally, and we do not play favourites.”
“I’ve met other political parties. I regularly visit media outlets, I speak frequently with civil society and interact with the police and security forces. And this is all part of what I do as the American ambassador,” he said.
In each of these meetings, he said, he repeats the same messages. “And these are US policies that we support a free, fair and peaceful election with no violence on the part of anyone.”
Ambassador Haas held the meeting with Awami League leaders at its central office.
AL Presidium Member Muhammad Faruk Khan, International Affairs Secretary Shammi Ahmed, Information and Research Secretary Selim Mahmud, Office Secretary BiplabBarua and Executive Member Mohammad Ali Arafat were also present at the time. An official of the US embassy accompanied Peter Haas at the meeting.
