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US wants lifting of . emergency before polls: Boucher

Visiting official expects no delay in election

Staff Correspondent
Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Richard A Boucher yesterday said the United States would not accept any deviation from the path to parliamentary polls here by this year-end.
He also observed that 'good elections" are not possible with a state of emergency and ban on political activities still in force.
Speaking at a press conference at the American Club in the city, Boucher said, 'The US believes the only path forward for Bangladesh is
to have an election. We won’t accept any deviation from that."
Replying to a query, he said he does not think there will be a military intervention in the country.
Boucher said, "We don’t think you can have a good election under a state of emergency. The emergency has to be lifted."
Besides, restrictions on the political activities must go while an environment congenial to free and open discussions should be in place, he continued.
"We have been pushing for that and encouraging lifting of the emergency because that is necessary for a good and successful election."
Earlier on Thursday, the assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs reached Dhaka in a two-day visit, and met Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed and Chief of Army Staff Moeen U Ahmed.
Asked about the human rights situation here, he said. “There are problems that need to be fixed, and we think those are best fixed under an elected government."
Democracy is the best way to fight terrorism, safeguard human rights and ensure a sustainable development, he added.
He however declined to comment when asked if an election without either or both of BNP and Awami League would be credible.
"We will hear more from the government. I can't deal with all these ifs, there is too much speculation out there," he said, adding, ‘'We'll be monitoring the situation. All of these proceedings need to be on track."
, said- Shaikh , Hasina and Khaleda Zia, former prime ministers detained on corruption charges, must face the law, but the trials would have to be fair and
Boucher asked the political parties to “keep their eyes on the ball and the need to hold elections” because, he said, "nobody can claim any rights or mandate unless they are elected".
He welcomed the caretaker government's initiative to hold dialogue with political parties, and said he hopes the talks will produce a set of understandings and help the election take place in a free and
fair manner.
Turning to the fight against terrorism, he said there is always a prospect of terrorist threat to Bangladesh and work needs to continue to prevent the territory from being used by terrorists.
Recently, the US government has announced $20 million in assistance for Bangladesh to finance counter-terrorism programmes.
Boucher said Dhaka's claim to the US Millennium Challenge Account would be reviewed in the light of the anti-corruption drive of the present caretaker government.
He said the bill to grant Bangladeshi goods greater duty-free access to the US market is unlikely to be passed this year since the US congress and political machinery would be preoccupied with the presidential election