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Bangladesh is a voice of moderation: Rocca

Two Congressmen resent inclusion of Dhaka in NSEERS programme

UNB, Dhaka
Bangladesh is a voice of moderation among developing countries, in the Islamic world and in South Asia, US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca said during a Congressional hearing.
During the hearing Thursday on South Asia, Congressmen Joseph Crowley and Robert Wexler
expressed strong resentment over the US administration's decision to include Bangladesh in the National Security Entry Exit Registration System (NSEERS) programme.
The Congressional hearing was held in the Asia and Pacific Subcommittee of the House International Relations committee on the topic: "The US and South Asia: Challenges and
Opportunities for American
Policy."
Apart from Rocca, Ambassador Wendy J Chamberlin, Assistant Administrator of USAID, was invited to make a statement before the Subcommittee, according to a message received here yesterday.
Rocca, in her statement as main witness at the hearing, praised Bangladesh as the top contributor of troops to UN peacekeeping
missions, and an active player in regional and international organisations.
She noted that Bangladesh has made impressive strides in economic development, dramatically reducing its birth rate, improving literacy, delivering more social services and empowering women through education and employment.
Rocca emphasised that it is in the interest of the United States to keep Bangladesh firmly in the moderate, democratic camp and to help its economy prosper.
She informed the Subcommittee that Bangladesh is a valued partner in the war on terrorism, and underscored US commitment to strengthen Bangladesh's democratic institutions, help its economic development and improve living standard of its population.
Rocca expressed satisfaction at the economic progress so far achieved by Bangladesh and underscored the need for diversification of exports and strengthening of its infrastructure.
Referring to the political situation in Bangladesh, she emphasised the importance of better understanding between the two major political parties so that they can work together to solve the problems facing the nation.
Rocca termed Bangladesh's role in war against terrorism as "excellent."
Rejecting recent media reports suggesting al-Qaeda presence in Bangladesh, she made it clear that
State Department does not have any information that may give credence to such allegations. She emphasised on the need for the US to reach out to Muslim nations.
From among the members of the Committee, Congressmen Joseph Crowley, Robert Wexler, Steve Chabot and Gary Ackerman spoke highlighting Bangladesh's positive role as a moderate, democratic Muslim nation that has been contributing to the regional and international peace and security and thereby helping the United States.
Crowley noted that Bangladesh is making progress in the path of democracy both through governmental actions as well as activities of a strong and vibrant civil society.
He said the proposed Asian University for women to be located in Bangladesh would make tremendous impact in the whole Muslim world. He recognised USAID's commitment to donate $ 1 million for this project and urged Assistant Secretary Rocca for more assistance to sustain the project.
Crowley voiced strong resentment over Bangladesh's inclusion in the NSEERS list and expressed unhappiness at the way Bangladesh as a friendly country of the US has
been treated.
He expressed concern that inclusion of Bangladesh in NSEERS list creates misgivings about the whole purpose of the NSEERS program.
Congressman Wexler also voiced his protest against the administration's decision to include Bangladesh in the NSEERS list. He regretted that such a decision clearly "undermines" the excellent relations that the two countries enjoy and did not seem to be clear about the objectivity of the criteria under which Bangladesh was included in the program.
Congressman Chabot praised Bangladesh for its peacekeeping role while Congressman Ackerman appreciated Bangladesh government's efforts to establish an autonomous anti-corruption commission as part of democratic institution building.
USAID Assistant Administrator Wendy J Chamberlin informed the Subcommittee that Bangladesh this year is receiving US$102 million in American development assistance.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Syed Hasan Ahmad was present during the hearing.