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Washington wants to see Dhaka exporting gas

STAR DESK
The United States wants to see Bangladesh exporting its natural gas so that it can become a middleincome country, the new US ambassador said here Sunday, reports AFP.
"It is a decision for the Bangladeshi government and the people to make," Ambassador Harry K. Thomas told reporters in his first meeting with the press.
"That said, we would like to see a
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certain amount of natural gas to be exported," he added.
"Your finance minister (Saifur Rahman) has said about turning Bangladesh into a middle-income country and this is one way to achieve that," Thomas said.
UNB adds: Thomas who arrived here barely a week ago to take up his new assignment told reporters that he got three priorities as the 11th US Ambassador to Bangladesh -- to help the government and the people to sustain their "wonderful" democracy, diversify the country's economy and improve its trade.
He said he will discuss and share his ideas about the priorities of his mission with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition when he will meet them.
The US ambassador strongly disapproved the "politics of hartal", saying, ". all parties must find ways to work together. In modern age, hartal is disruptive to economy and people and we encourage both parties to work together."
Commenting on the remarks of American Nobel Laureate economist Prof Joseph Stiglitz who strongly opposed the idea of gas export, Ambassador Thomas said, " . I don't know if he has any experience of natural gas engineering . And with all respect for him, I disagree with him."
Thomas avoided a direct reply when asked to spell out a single factor that had prompted Washington to put Bangladesh on the US list of terror-risk nations, saying, "I was not aware that Bangladesh is on the terror list. I don't believe it, I will have to check
that."
On simplification of visa procedures for prospective travellers to the US, he said the US government has been "slowly but surely" implementing a new visa system that would treat all equally in the United States, adding that the US administration will increase the quota for student visas.
On the alleged discrimination against religious minorities in Bangladesh, Ambassador Thomas said the United States wants all people to be treated equally, which is an obligation of democracy.
Referring to US Secretary of State Colin Powell's remarks during his recent sojourn in Dhaka, he said Bangladesh could participate in post-war reconstruction in Iraq in whatever manner it may feel.
On US concession to Bangladeshi readymade garments in the American market, he suggested diversification of the garment industry to compete under the WTO requirements. He also called for steady and speedy export of garments through a new port and maintaining sanctity of negotiations to help improve exports. If these are done, he felt that Bangladesh would not need any special concession.
About Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), the envoy hoped that Dhaka and Washington would make progress towards signing the accord as well as the Tax Treaty to eliminate double taxation and help increase bilateral trade.
Director of the American Centre Karl Fritz and other senior US diplomats were present.