The newly appointed Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Bangladesh, Tracey Ann Jacobson, reiterated Washington’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s Interim Government on key issues, including development and counter-terrorism.
“We stand ready to assist your government on a range of issues,” Jacobson told Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus during their meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday.
During the discussion, the Chief Adviser highlighted ongoing reform initiatives, efforts to build political consensus on the July proclamation, and plans for the upcoming general election.
Regarding the July proclamation, the Chief Adviser said that he was expecting the political parties to reach a consensus by early February.
“So far I have not heard any dissenting voices,” said the Chief Adviser, calling the political exercise to build the consensus on the issue a “tough” one and added that the theme of the proposed proclamation is “unity.”
The Chief Adviser said the government will only play the role of a facilitator. "My job is building a consensus. I am not pushing any idea,” he said.
He said once the political parties agreed to the reform proposals, the government would request them to sign it to create a July Charter.
“We don't know whether the contents will contain many items or a few items,” he told the US diplomat.
“It's a tough job given the varieties of opinion we have. But the process has started. Once signed, our politics will be based on the July Charter."
The US Chargé d’affaires raised concerns over the arrest of some journalists and reports of some violence against religious minorities. The Chief Adviser said his government is committed to ensuring justice for everyone in the country.
During the hour-long meeting, the Chief Adviser and the US Chargé d’affaires also discussed Dhaka's ties with its neighbours, progress on resolving the Rohingya crisis, and the security situation in Myanmar.
The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh values its relationship with all neighbours.
“That’s how the idea of SAARC came about, and we are the initiator of it,” he said, highlighting his recent moves to revive SAARC and transform it into a platform like the European Union.
He thanked the US for providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees and sought the country's support for the repatriation of the Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh and creating a safe zone for the displaced people in Myanmar‘s Rakhine State.
The Chief adviser mentioned that Bangladesh is a top importer of US cotton and urged the country to import more apparel and textiles, which would mean a greater import of US cotton.
Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary to SDG affairs, was also present on the occasion.
BDST: 1957 HRS, JAN 20, 2025
MUM/SMS
