US Ambassador in Bangladesh Dan Mozena on Tuesday said it is still counting on Bangladesh’s two major political parties — the ruling Awami League and opposition BNP — to resolve the current political crisis. Talking to reporters after a meeting with Communications Minister Obaidul Quader at the Bridges Division, Mozena also noted that US does not expect the continuation of confrontation between the two parties. As a friendly country to Bangladesh, US does not expect any confrontation here, and hope that the crisis will be resolved through a ‘constructive dialogue’. Asked whether he sees any solution before the upcoming 10th parliamentary polls, the US envoy said the matter has got complicated as very little time is left before the polls. However, many things can happen if the two major parties reach a consensus, he said. Facing the same question from the reporters a bit later, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said there is no scope for dialogue or agreement with BNP as only nine days are left for the polls. There is a chance that the present political crisis could be resolved by mid-January next, he added. There is an alternative as proposed by the Prime Minister (going for 11th national election) and the problem could be resolved in line with that, he added. Earlier, at a meeting on December 19, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hinted that she might request for dissolution of the 10th Parliament for a fresh election if there is any compromise with the opposition. – UNB
