The US does not support any party or individual in Bangladesh, said US Charge d'Affaires Tracy Ann Jacobson in Dhaka.
She said, "I want to make it clear what the US government's position is! We support the government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh, and the work of the Chief Election Commissioner, who are working to formulate a roadmap for a free and fair election early next year. We do not support any specific outcome. This is a matter for the people of Bangladesh to decide. We hope the people of this country will succeed in that work."
She made these remarks to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the CEC office in the capital's Agargaon Election Bhaban on Monday. This is the first meeting of the US Embassy with the current Election Commission after the political upheaval of August 5 last year.
Thanking the Election Commission for the meeting and hospitality, the US Charge d’Affaires said, “I am here with some of my colleagues to listen, to learn, and to understand. As rumors and conspiracy theories abound, I want to make it clear that the US government stands by the interim government led by Professor Yunus and the Central Election Commission, which are working to develop a roadmap for free and fair elections early next year.”
He said, “We hope that those elections will be held in an atmosphere of peace and security and that they will produce a successful democratic government that reflects the aspirations and dreams of the people of Bangladesh.”
The US ambassador said, “We, the US Embassy or the US government, do not endorse any particular political party. However, we meet with political parties to understand their programs and goals. We do not endorse any particular politician, but we meet to understand their objectives. We do not endorse any particular outcome—that is for the people of Bangladesh to decide, and we hope that you will succeed in that.”
Earlier, the hour-long meeting was held from 2:15 pm. The meeting discussed the overall issues including the Election Commission's preparations for the 13th National Parliament elections.
US Embassy Political Officer James Stewart and Political Expert Firoz Ahmed were also present at the meeting.
The EC tightened security at the Election Building on the occasion of the arrival of the US Ambassador. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed himself welcomed Ambassador Tracy Ann Jacobson at the entrance on the ground floor. A team of officials led by him brought the US delegation to the CEC office.
Earlier, the meeting between Tracy Ann Jacobson and the CEC was scheduled to take place last Thursday. That day, the meeting was postponed due to the blockade by students of the Agricultural University at Agargaon intersection adjacent to the Election Building.
