DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
The United States has assured Dhaka of its total support for continued success of democracy in Bangladesh and said Washington would like to see good governance to continue in the South Asian nation.
Assurance came when Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni held talks with US Secretary State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday at the Capitol Hill in Washington DC during a bilateral meeting.
Secretary Clinton congratulated Dipu Moni at their first bilateral meeting and praised the people of Bangladesh for their efforts to return to democracy.
Meeting sources told The Independent that on the whole the meeting took place at a very cordial set up.
After the meeting both Dr. Moni and Mrs. Clinton appeared at a joint press briefing at the State Department.
"Bangladesh attaches great importance to relations with the United States," the Foreign Minister said, adding the last general election in December, 2008, set a high standard not only for Bangladesh, but also for other democratic countries in South Asia and elsewhere.
She appreciated the consistent support received by Bangladesh from the United States in the transition to democracy.
Dipu Moni in her talks with her US counterpart discussed the whole range of bilateral and other issues of common concern. She particularly stressed on the duty free and quota free entry of Bangladeshi products to the US market, continuation of GSP facilities to Bangladesh and debt relief. She also sought US help for deportation of self-confessed killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, some of whom had reportedly been living in America, meeting sources said.
About the planned war crime trial in Bangladesh, the Foreign Minister assured US that the trial would be done in conformity with the International laws as far as possible. She also sought Clinton's help to include Bangladesh for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), a multi-billion dollar US fund set up to support developing countries which are committed to fight corruption and promote democracy.
State department sources said, the meeting covered also a range of regional and global issues, including efforts to combat violent extremism, provide peacekeeping forces in trouble spots around the world, enhance food security and global health and address the threat of climate change, which is especially important for Bangladesh's survival.
"The foreign minister and I discussed the possibility of a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement. That would make it easier for U.S. companies and investors to expand their activities in Bangladesh and increase trade," Mrs. Clinton said.
She said Bangladeshi Americans have "contributed so much to the culture and prosperity of our country, and I know they are eager to do more of their - for their country of origin."
Replying to a question on duty-free access of Bangladeshi products, Clinton said "we have a vibrant trade relationship now, and it has been growing, and we look forward to continuing to grow that trade." She said they specifically talked about the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
The US Secretary said, Bangladesh currently receives preferential tariff treatment for hundreds of products through the generalized system of preferences. She Washington will work to see how Bangladesh can diversify its exports based on what already exists.Clinton expressed her happiness to see Bangladesh's good relations with her neighbours. She also congratulated Dr. Moni for her recent successful visit to New Delhi.
Hillary Clinton stated that Bangladesh was a model of empowerment of women and its innovative ideas of social empowerment. The US would continue to give support in its efforts of democratic institution building, counter-terrorism efforts, and improvement of skills of its police and military, she added.
bdnews24.com adds from Washington: Dipu Moni's meeting with her US counterpart, which was her first official bilateral talks, appeared rich in symbolism and poor in substance.
Appearing jointly at a news briefing at the historic Treaty Room of the State Department, both Moni and Clinton expressed high hopes about strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States in the coming years.
When asked in what way the relationship could be strengthened and whether there would be any metrics to measure the progress in coming years, the foreign ministers declined to explain in concrete terms how they planned to go ahead.
It turned out that Bangladesh, during the meeting, received no firm commitment from the United States about the two critical issues that Dhaka has been pursuing for years-duty free access to the American market and inclusion in the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).
Secretary Clinton said in order to qualify for the fund the recipient countries must fulfill certain conditions like embracing democracy wholeheartedly, respect for human rights and tackle corruption vigorously.
There are still some issues that need to be settled, she said, before Bangladesh could qualify for the MCA.
Although she didn't say it loud and clear, the corruption issue still appears to be a major hurdle for Bangladesh to be considered for the MCA fund. The recent reports of widespread hooliganism by ruling party supporters in tender biddings and other government contracts could further dim Bangladesh's prospects.
As for the other major issue of duty-free access to the U.S. market, Secretary Clinton was equivocal, saying it would take more time to resolve the matter.
Some U.S. officials said the matter cannot be resolved without the backing of the Congress even if the American government was serious about acceding to Bangladesh's request.
About Dipu Moni's request to hand over the confessed killers of father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, they said the request also didn't receive any firm commitment from her counterpart, ostensibly because the US government cannot influence the judicial process.
The joint briefing by Clinton and Moni was attended by only two reporters including this correspondent. The other reporter present was from the AFP news agency. And the only question he asked had nothing to do with US-Bangladesh relations; he sought Clinton's views on the new Japanese government.
For her part though, Dipu Moni seemed to make a good impression with US officials. Clad in a deep green sari and matching full sleeve blouse, she appeared relaxed but confident. Her impeccable English was also impressive.
;;AFP adds: Clinton hailed December's election-in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won the latest rematch against arch-foe Khaleda Zia-as "the freest and fairest in the country's history."
"Bangladeshis now have the opportunity to build on this success," Clinton said.
US President Barack Obama has made reaching out to the Islamic world a signature policy, including through a June 4 speech in Cairo. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League is strongly critical of radical Islam.
"As a country with a strong secular and democratic heritage, a record of respect for women and a Muslim-majority population, Bangladesh embodies the promise that President Obama spoke of in Cairo," Clinton said.
Moni said Bangladesh attaches "great importance to our relations with the United States."
"We consider the US as our close friend and partner," she said.
sep 2009, (maybe 17), the Independent
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