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US for truly elected govt to take over

Hasina meets Boucher in Washington

Staff Correspondent
US Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher told Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina in Washington that the US would not accept any alternative to a democratically elected government in Bangladesh.
"We will not accept anything but the rule of a democratically elected government," Boucher told Hasina meeting heron Friday, according to US-based American News Agency (ANA).
ANA quoted Hasina aide Hassan Mahmud, who was present at the meeting, as saying Boucher assured Hasina that the US will
continue to support the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh.
The AL president and former prime minister told Boucher that voters' doubts over the national elections would deepen if elections to the local government bodies are held first.
She assured the US State Department assistant secretary for South Asia that if elected to power, the AL would continue the current government's reforms and anti-corruption drives but would not support any measures to "harass or suppress politicians".
Many of those who have been
SEE PAGE 15 COL 3 arrested under the anti-corruption drive are "victims of political vendetta". Hasina told Boucher.
She said the interim administration’s mandate is to hold the parliamentary electioiMn aTree-iHid fair rh2nher and transfer power to a democratically elected government.
Hasina, on an eight-week parole since June 11. also said her party has been the prime target of terrorist attacks and is committed to counter-terrorist measures.
She later met US Ambassador James Moriarty at a local hotel.
Meanwhile, US Senator and Foreign Relations Committee chair Joseph Biden expressed surprise that no specific date for the general elections in Bangladesh has been announced yet and that the state of emergency is still continuing, ANA repons.
Speaking to a group of Bangladeshi-Americans in Washington Friday. Biden also condemned mass arrests and depriving detained politicians of the right to defend themselves in court or seek medical treatment.
A few months ago, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Humayun Kabir had assured members of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee that the government I will lift the state of emergency and hold elections.