DHAKA, 29 January 2006 — Both the United States and the European Union, taking into account the harsh ground realities in Bangladesh of bitter political confrontation, appear to be anxious on peaceful holding of next general election in the country due early 2007.
The United States and the European Union have emerged with almost identical views on Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary polls terming it crucial and critical for democracy, economic development and stability of the country.
An EU delegation, led by Nikolaus Scherk, and the US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca came up with the view after holding series of parleys with key political leaders and representatives of civil society in Dhaka in the past few days.
Rocca left Dhaka yesterday morning for Washington at the end of her three-day visit to Bangladesh.
During her tour, she met with government and opposition leaders discussing what she said were two major challenges for free and fair elections and combating militancy.
Both the EU and the US called for ensuring fairness and transparency during the run-up and level playing field for all parties as well as free and fair voting on the election day to ensure credibility of the election results and legitimacy for the winners to run the nation.
They expressed concern over the confrontational nature of divisive politics and called for finding a solution of the nagging disputes between the opposition and the party in power over the appointment of caretaker government and the Election Commission.
The EU and the US official in their pre-departure press statements have assured support to the democratic process and the holding of free, fair and peaceful elections.
