Govt urged to work with all political leaders


In a resolution passed Thursday, the US House of Representatives urged Bangladesh government to work together with all political leaders to continue and deepen reconciliation, reports UNB as received from Washington Saturday.

Congressman Joseph Crowley, the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Bangladesh, spearheaded passage of the resolution expressing the US House of Representatives' support for Bangladesh's return to democracy.

"Bangladesh has become an important partner of the United States.

Even as it faces challenges with serious poverty, threats from climate change and extremism, the Bangladeshi people have shown remarkable resilience, creativity, and principle,"Crowley said at the US House of Representatives.

Sponsoring the resolution in the House to congratulate Bangladesh on achieving democracy, he said: "This is exactly the kind of country the United States ought to work with and do more to support, not because the situation on the ground is perfect, but because by working together we have clearly created a better path forward."

Crowley added: "I hope the international community would more quickly wake up to the positive changes Bangladesh has made."

The resolution was passed by the US House of Representatives by a vote of 380 to 7.

"I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1215, a measure to honor Bangladesh's return to democracy. I would like to thank Chairman Berman and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen for their support of this resolution. I would also like to thank the gentleman from California, Congressman Royce, for leading this effort with me, along with other members of the House Caucus on Bangladesh,"Crowley said.

The resolution also urged Bangladesh government to ensure the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, including Hindus and Ahmadiya community.

It said Bangladesh is 'making progress' to join the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a US aid programme that had granted billions of dollars to nations deemed as respecting political and economic freedom.

Crowley noted that a year and a half ago, the US Congress passed a resolution out of fear that Bangladesh was 'creeping toward authoritarianism' after the military took charge in 2006 and cancellsed elections.