Confirming the UN chief’s letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chief Khaleda Zia, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam on Wednesday reiterated the government’s position saying there would be no dialogue with the ‘killer’.
He, however, did not make it clear whether UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for dialogue between the two major parties to resolve the ongoing political crisis.
Asked whether there is any specific call for dialogue in the letter, hahriar told journalists that there are many issues mentioned in the letter and he already described the contents.Talking to journalists at his office, the State Minister said the UN chief has requested the Prime Minister to take necessary steps to ‘deescalate’ the ongoing violence.
Shahriar said the government will reply to the UN chief’s letter and is preparing to that end. The UN chief laid emphasis saying it needs to be checked so that violence does not take place further before the next national
election.
A questioner from a TV channel wanted to know whether the UN chief ‘directed’ the Prime Minister to sit in dialogue, he said, “How’ll they give directive? Usually, the United Nations can only request for any issue.”
Asked whether UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Oscar Fernandez-Taranco is coming to Bangladesh, Shahriar said, “No, he’s not coming. No possibility in the future. But, he may come, if necessary.”
Responding to another question, the State Minister said the letter was written about two weeks ago. “But we got the letter two days back.”
He also said a separate letter was written to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia but he has no knowledge about its content.
The UN chief also appreciated Bangladesh’s contribution to the peacekeeping mission.
Asked whether the government is under pressure from the international community, Shahriar said, “Not at all”.
He said there is no pressure from the foreign friends and even the new ambassadors from different countries talked to them and they did not say anything that can be considered as pressure. – Agencies
