Diplomats hope election will be held soon
Dhaka, January 25, 2007 : Encouraged by the caretaker government's agenda, foreign diplomats in Dhaka yesterday hoped that the next general elections would take place as soon as possible.
The envoys of US, UK, Germany and France made careful and optimistic comments about the next elections in Bangladesh to reporters after attending a luncheon hosted by Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.
More than 50 ambassadors and high commissioners stationed in Dhaka attended the luncheon.
US Ambassador Patricia Butenis, British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury, German Ambassador Frank Meyke, French Ambassador Jacques Andre Constilhes and their diplomat colleagues extended support to the agenda of the new caretaker government for holding free, fair and credible elections after accomplishing necessary reforms.
"As most Bangladeshis and we are hoping that elections are going to be held as soon as possible," Butenis said, "everybody is waiting and watching and there is a lot of goodwill."
On the interim government, the US envoy said it has popular support and they want to work closely with it.
She said everyone knows the demands of political parties for a credible election and hoped that the parties would have consensus on the reconstitution of the Election Commission and other election reforms before going for the elections.
UK High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury was appreciative of Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed's address to the nation saying, "It was very comprehensive where he laid down his plan of actions."
"We are pleased with the approach that has been taken and the progress that this government seems to be making," he said, adding, "We hope that it continues that way."
When asked about his speculation about the possible time for elections, he said, "That is an issue for the interim government and the people of Bangladesh."
Being pressed about the possible timing of the election, Anwar Choudhury in his diplomatic parlance said, "I suppose when the interim government is ready it would announce the next schedule."
German Ambassador Frank Meyke, who is currently holding the EU chair, said, "We are looking forward to supporting as much as our diplomacy can the government to hold a free and fair election."
He said the timing of the next election is a kind of thing that must be discussed by experts. Election Observation Mission of European Union could be useful in this respect once they are here in action again, he added.
French Ambassador Jacques Constilhes also appreciated the caretaker government's efforts to hold a credible election and said they had encouraging meeting with the foreign affairs adviser.
Earlier, Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury outlined the caretaker government's prime agenda of holding elections free from corruption and muscle power and sought support from the diplomatic community in implementing the caretaker government's agenda.
In his brief introductory remarks, Chowdhury said Bangladesh is playing a major role in the international arena including in the UN peacekeeping missions. He said the incumbent government would carry out all its normal activities and will attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit scheduled in India next April.
Acting Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain and senior officials of the foreign ministry were also present.
Dhaka, January 25, 2007 : Encouraged by the caretaker government's agenda, foreign diplomats in Dhaka yesterday hoped that the next general elections would take place as soon as possible.
The envoys of US, UK, Germany and France made careful and optimistic comments about the next elections in Bangladesh to reporters after attending a luncheon hosted by Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.
More than 50 ambassadors and high commissioners stationed in Dhaka attended the luncheon.
US Ambassador Patricia Butenis, British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury, German Ambassador Frank Meyke, French Ambassador Jacques Andre Constilhes and their diplomat colleagues extended support to the agenda of the new caretaker government for holding free, fair and credible elections after accomplishing necessary reforms.
"As most Bangladeshis and we are hoping that elections are going to be held as soon as possible," Butenis said, "everybody is waiting and watching and there is a lot of goodwill."
On the interim government, the US envoy said it has popular support and they want to work closely with it.
She said everyone knows the demands of political parties for a credible election and hoped that the parties would have consensus on the reconstitution of the Election Commission and other election reforms before going for the elections.
UK High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury was appreciative of Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed's address to the nation saying, "It was very comprehensive where he laid down his plan of actions."
"We are pleased with the approach that has been taken and the progress that this government seems to be making," he said, adding, "We hope that it continues that way."
When asked about his speculation about the possible time for elections, he said, "That is an issue for the interim government and the people of Bangladesh."
Being pressed about the possible timing of the election, Anwar Choudhury in his diplomatic parlance said, "I suppose when the interim government is ready it would announce the next schedule."
German Ambassador Frank Meyke, who is currently holding the EU chair, said, "We are looking forward to supporting as much as our diplomacy can the government to hold a free and fair election."
He said the timing of the next election is a kind of thing that must be discussed by experts. Election Observation Mission of European Union could be useful in this respect once they are here in action again, he added.
French Ambassador Jacques Constilhes also appreciated the caretaker government's efforts to hold a credible election and said they had encouraging meeting with the foreign affairs adviser.
Earlier, Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury outlined the caretaker government's prime agenda of holding elections free from corruption and muscle power and sought support from the diplomatic community in implementing the caretaker government's agenda.
In his brief introductory remarks, Chowdhury said Bangladesh is playing a major role in the international arena including in the UN peacekeeping missions. He said the incumbent government would carry out all its normal activities and will attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit scheduled in India next April.
Acting Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain and senior officials of the foreign ministry were also present.
posted by Ven. Pragya Jyoti at 6:17 PM
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