The Hindu : International : U.S. will not interfere in Bangladesh affairs: Burns

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 29, 2005

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International

U.S. will not interfere in Bangladesh affairs: Burns

Haroon Habib

DHAKA: United States Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns has said that his country would not interfere in the internal affairs of Bangladesh.

Mr. Burns, who made a brief visit here, said in an interview with the Voice Of America, "The U.S. wants continuation of liberal democracy in Bangladesh. But we've nothing to say about the internal problems of this country." He, however, endorsed the outgoing U.S. ambassador Harry K. Thomas' recent controversial remarks that major parties in the country must work together on national interests, failing which people would look for alternatives. The remarks faced strong criticism from political parties and the civil society.

Appreciating democracy in Bangladesh, Mr. Burns said major political parties need to have tolerance for minority political groups. Likewise, different religious groups too should have tolerance for one another. On extra-judicial killings which have been widely condemned at home and abroad, he said acts of violence, intimidation and extra-judicial killings must be stopped. The events that have taken place here in the past two years were "sad".

About his meetings with Government and Opposition leaders, Mr. Burns said he had discussed with them the various challenges that Bangladesh faced.

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