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US will help Bangladesh to Strengthen its Democracy: Blake


US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O Blake has said that the United States would help Bangladesh in strengthening democracy and continue its assistance for the development of Bangladesh. He urged both the government and the opposition to work together to ensure the grooming of democracy in the country.

Addressing a press briefing while wrapping up his two-day visit on Sunday, he also assured that US would not support any action which could thwart the democratic process and hinder the progress in Bangladesh.

"The U.S. welcomed the free, fair, and transparent elections Bangladesh held last December. This proves that Bangladeshis want democracy. The United States is proud to have supported this effort. We will continue to support Bangladesh as it extends its democratic roots. We also are here to help you develop your economy, feed and educate your citizens and respond to natural disasters. And we are here to help you protect your people from those who wish to destabilize your democracy through terrorism and extremism" he said.
Asked to comment on the opposition's absence from the parliament, the US diplomat noted that now it was the new beginning for both the opposition and the government to work together.

Asked about the government's move for holding trial of the war criminals, Blake said that in his discussions with the government high ups here he urged them to maintain accountability in the trial process and not to make the trial politicized.

In this connection he also mentioned that the government should not take any action which could impede the democratic process as the country 'has just had freest and fairest elections' in its history through which democracy had been strengthened.

Blake who arrived in Dhaka on Saturday in his first visit after his appointment as the Assistant Secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs last month, met Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and Home Minister Sahara Khatun . Prior to hos departure he also met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina .

On Saturday he met the leader of the Opposition BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
In his written statement he also focused on the US President Obama's speech in Cairo saying that President Obama is committed to improving the U.S. relationship with the Muslim world.

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