DHAKA, 10 May 2008 — Washington will not accept any military takeover in Bangladesh, said US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher here yesterday.
The US official said Bangladesh must restore democracy. A fair election will not be possible under the current state of emergency, Boucher told reporters at a news conference at the American Club in the capital.
Boucher said he would have talks with political parties to ensure their participation in the upcoming general election.
To a question on US stand on any military takeover, he said: “The answer is the same as before — no. The only path forward for Bangladesh is to restore democracy and have an election. That’s the only path anybody talked to me about during the course of the visit including the army chief.
“We would not accept any deviation from that path and we will work with everybody here to make sure Bangladesh can achieve that.”
Asked to react on the stand of the two big parties that they would boycott the elections unless their leaders were released, Boucher said: “The United States is not involved with political parties. We are not taking sides, we are not choosing the winner and we are not supporting any faction of political party or individuals. Our goal is to support the democratic process and ensure that the people get a chance to decide through elections.”
About the trial of former Prime Ministers Hasina Wajed and Khaleda Zia, Boucher said there were charges against the two leaders and the government needed to follow the due process of law and hold a transparent trial.
Their detention and trial, however, are different matters from the election process, he said, and added: “I realize, different political parties have different positions. But nobody can claim a mandate or the right to take away people’s right to decide their future through elections.”
