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Journalism of Courage
Bangladesh should announce a timetable for elections so the people can see a path back to democracy from the state of emergency declared in January, US ambassador Patricia A Butenis said.
Washington has huge influence in Bangladesh, where an interim government backed by the military is in control. The government cancelled the elections scheduled for January 22 in wake of political violence.
The interim government has said no new election will be held until politics is rid of widespread corruption. Bangladesh’s army chief Lieutenant-General Moeen U Ahmed said this week that politicians had given the country nothing but corruption in 36 years since independence.The army chief had previously said the armed forces did not want to take power but would steadfastly support the interim government in creating conditions for a free and fair election.
The United States has often played the role of an unofficial mediator in Bangladeshi politics. Since the current crisis erupted late last year, Butenis has frequently shuttled between the parties and the interim government. She met Chief Election Commissioner A T M. Shamsul Huda and his deputies on Tuesday.
“I, of course, emphasised the desirability of issuing a timeline for the election,” Butenis said in comments reported by the Bangladeshi media.
