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US not opposed to any regional cooperation for mutual benefit

By Staff Correspondent
The United Stales supports the idea of greater co-operation among regional countries for economic development and it was not opposed to the concept of sub regional co-operation if it enabled taking up "sensible projects."
This was stated by visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Robin Raphel while addressing a press briefing yesterday prior to the completion of her six-day working visit to Bangladesh.
Responding to a question if the US supported the idea of sub-regional co-operation among Bangladesh. Nepal, Bhutan and the north-eastern states of India. Raphel replied, "the US was not opposed to the concept of co-operation, sub-regional or otherwise, if it enabled taking up of economic projects that were sensible."
She said. The concept of cooperation strikes to be a very positive step. Of course. 1 do not know the details. I do not how much meat is there in it."
Raphel added that more co-
operation among Bangladesh, Bhutan. Nepal and the North-eastern states of India, might help in harnessing the huge water resources for mutual benefit of the region.
The US Assistant Secretary of Stale said that the US welcomed the water accord signed lietween Bangladesh and India.
At the outset of the briefing, she said that there were two reasons for her current trip to Bangladesh, which was her fourth.
The first was to attend the regional conference of US en voys to the region and the second was to hold bilateral talks with Bangladesh leaders.
Raphel said, with the exception of Afghanistan, all the South Asian countries were now striving to strengthen their democracies.
She said that Dhaka was chosen for holding the US regional meet because, not only the timing suited, but the Dhaka was Increasing Its locus In the arena ol international affairs.
Raphel said that she is happy that Bangladesh was now having a more stable and matured democracy after having overcome the political stalemate of the past through the efforts of the political parties.
She was happy to note that all the major parties are now working again in parliament and hoped that they will make efforts to strengthen the democratic institutions.
She mentioned that she had fruitful meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Khaleda Zia.
She observed that the Opposition had expressed some doubts to her about implementation of the four-point accord recently signed for their return to Parliament. But she hoped that everything will progress smoothly.
Raphel observed that Bangladesh is attracting foreign investment and there was now greater interest and investment by US companies.
She said South Asia was strategically Important for the United States as it borders China and South East Asia besides being the home of nearly one-fifth of the world's population.
Besides. South Asia, "is important to us in terms of trade and investment." Raphel added.
The new US Secretary of State. Madeline Albright, considers South Asia as an important area that deserves US attention, she said.
Albright was serving earlier as the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Replying to a question, she said President Bill Clinton will bring several changes in the State Department during his second term in office as part of a routine exercise. "I do not
know if it will be possible to be there after four years.”
Raphel said she had exceedingly enjoyed her trips to the South Asian region, particularly Bangladesh which has a very resilient and friendly people.
Responding to another question. the US Assistant Secretary said India and Pakistan should talk directly in a effort to improve the overall atmosphere in the region. She hoped that both countries will put sincere political will to resolve the Kashmir issue keeping the hopes and aspirations of the people of the valley.
Raphel hoped that efforts would be made to ensure free and fair polls in Pakistan and mentioned that different monitoring groups including that from SAARC countries would be there.
About Afghanistan, she said the US does not recognise governments. but only recognises states.
However, she categorically stated that the US does not recognise the Talibans or any other warring factions.
"Our main concern is the instability in Afghanistan and I hope that peace and stability will return there, which had eluded it for 18 years."
Responding to a question if the United States would keep scaling down USIS programmes. educational and cultural operations worldwide. Raphel said, this was happening due to budget cuts but she hoped that the new administration would sensitise the US public about making increasing global efforts in the education and cultural sphere.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh David N Merrill was present at the press conference which was conducted by Public Affairs Director Donald Bishop.