Emphasising the need for creating an environment conducive to talks, foreign diplomats here on Monday hoped a meaningful dialogue can lead to a fresh election as soon as possible.
“We hope that the dialogue will lead to elections as soon as possible. We see the need to have an environment that conducive to dialogue and an environment that conducive to elections,” US ambassador in Dhaka Dan W Mozen told reporters.
The US envoy came up with the remarks after a one-hour meeting between a group of foreign diplomats and BNP leaders at Heritage Hotel in the city’s Gulshan area from 4pm to 5pm.
At the meeting, BNP leaders briefed the foreign envoys about the country’s latest political situation and the party’s stance on the January 5 election and formation of the new government.
Diplomats or representatives from 34 countries and agencies, including the European Union, the USA, the UK, Canada, India, Pakistan and Arab nations, were present at the meeting.
Mozena said the views of his country are very clear. “We’re disappointed by the elections. We feel it didn’t credibly reflect the will of the Bangladeshi people.”
He went on: “We are pleased that seemingly both sides (Awami League and BNP) are looking ahead to dialogue. We encourage immediate dialogue.”
The US diplomat said both sides can take some measures that will help create an environment conducive to dialogue. “For example, BNP could stop hartal and blockade, and refrain from violence and violent programmes. “Violence is never acceptable. Violence must stop immediately.”
On the part of the government, he said, it could provide political space. “It’s the responsibility of the government to provide political space for holding rallies or processions,” he noted.
The government should allow free access to offices of various opposition parties and release those who were in prisons on charges which are politically motivated.
“So, it’s the obligation for the government to provide space. And it’s also the obligation for the opposition to use that space peacefully,” Mozena said.
Echoing Mozena, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh William Hanna said he also felt that it is very important that there should be a condition created for dialogue to be able to take place. “There should be reduction in temperature. There should be a possibility of talks,” he said.
About the January 5 elections, he said, “We’ve expressed disappointment that the people of Bangladesh did not get the opportunity to vote and express fully their democratic rights.”
The EU has already cleared its position issuing a statement on January 9 that expressed disappointment over the January 5 elections, he noted.
“We’ll continue to call both sides for engaging in dialogue,” the EU ambassador said.
Canadian High Commission in Dhaka Heather Cruden said it is needed to stop violence as violence is not a political tool which can be used officially. “We’re very pleased to hear that BNP had called off blockade and hartal, and we hope this will definitely create a space for dialogue among the political parties.”
Asked whether another inclusive election is imperative, she said it is up to the government and the BNP to find out way of the political impasse.
BNP vice-chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said they invited the foreign envoys to inform BNP’s stance about the January 5 parliamentary elections.
About the dialogue he said, “We always want a compromise through discussions. We’re ready for dialogue.”
Party sources said the BNP leaders at the meeting handed over various evidence and documents, including newspaper clips and CDs, on anomalies and vote rigging in the January-5 elections.
The BNP leaders told the envoys that anomalies, vote rigging, low turnout of voters in the elections mean that people did not put their mandate behind the new government.
Reiterating US’ position on the January 5 polls, US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena on Sunday said his country’s commitment to work with Bangladesh and its people remains ‘undamaged’.
“As US Ambassador here, I’ll do everything I can do to support Bangladesh to move forward,” he said mentioning that his vision is to see Bangladesh as the next Asian Tiger.
The US diplomat came up with the remark while talking to reporters emerging from the Bangabhaban ceremony.
Expressing US’ disappointment on the results of parliamentary elections, he called on the ruling party, BNP and other political parties to ‘immediately’ engage in dialogue for holding credible elections as ‘soon as possible’.
“So, our perspective is that we’re not very convinced that the results are credible reflections of the wills of the people of Bangladesh. So, we look forward to elections,” said the US diplomat.
Mozena said it was disappointing because more than half of the seats went uncontested and others have only token opposition.
“I think the US has already spoken very clearly about the elections process,” the US envoy added.
On January 7, the US Department of State issued a statement expressing displeasure over Bangladesh elections and encouraged the government and opposition parties to engage in ‘immediate dialogue’ to find a way to hold fresh elections as soon as possible that are free, fair, peaceful, and credible.
“The United States is disappointed by the recent Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. With more than half of the seats uncontested and most of the remainder offering only token opposition, the results of the just-concluded elections do not appear to credibly express the will of the Bangladeshi people,” said Marie Harf, Deputy Spokesperson of the US Department of State.
She said Bangladesh’s political leadership – and those who aspire to lead – must do everything in their power to ensure law and order and refrain from supporting and fomenting violence, especially against minority communities, inflammatory rhetoric, and intimidation.
“In the coming days, as Bangladesh seeks a way forward that is in keeping with its strong democratic traditions, we call upon the government of Bangladesh to provide political space to all citizens to freely express their political views,” Harf said.
The US also called strongly on the opposition to use such space peacefully and responsibly, and for all sides to eschew violence.
-UNB
