US pledges support for democracy, economy

Dipu Moni talks to Hillary on wide range of issues

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) answers a question as Foreign Minister Dipu Moni looks on during a joint press conference following their meeting at the State Department in Washington on Wednesday.Photo: AFPStaff Correspondent

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said Washington will continue its support to Bangladesh to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions, promote economic development and counter terrorism.
She also expressed her government's desire to work with issues relating to climate change, global financial crisis, human rights and improvement of skills of Bangladesh's law enforcement agencies.
The top US diplomat made the remarks during talks with Foreign Minister Dipu Moni in Washington on Wednesday, according to separate press statements issued from Washington.
“We are united by shared values, common interests, and a commitment to work together to strengthen democracy, promote economic development, deny space to terrorists, and create a more peaceful and prosperous future,” she said after the talks.
The partnership between Washington and Dhaka is growing stronger, said Hillary.
During the hour-long meeting, Dipu Moni and her counterpart discussed in detail the issues that are of concern to both the countries.
Terming Bangladesh a model of empowerment of women and a country with strong secular and democratic heritage, Hillary said Bangladesh embodied the promise that President Obama spoke of in Cairo.
“We are committed to work with you, with your government, and with the people of Bangladesh for a brighter future,” she told Dipu Moni at the meeting.
Dipu Moni briefed her about the December 29 parliamentary elections and the vision of the new government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Our resolve is to ensure rule of law, good governance, protect the inclusive and the pluralist nature of our society, promote women's empowerment, opportunities for the young and the disadvantaged,” she said.
Dipu Moni said the government's goal is to attain a level of socio-economic development that would elevate Bangladesh to a middle-income country by 2021.
“We need support and assistance from our friends, particularly from the United States,” she said.
The foreign minister discussed with Hillary various areas of cooperation between the two countries that include enhanced trade opportunities, US investment in Bangladesh, and cooperation in the area of counter terrorism and debt relief for Bangladesh.
Dipu Moni requested Hillary to give Bangladeshi products duty-free and quota-free access into the US market and sought cooperation in deportation of the killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Some of them have reportedly been living in the US.
Referring to her visit to Bangladesh, the US secretary of state said she met many dynamic women in positions of responsibility, and saw the way that pioneering micro-credit projects really invented in Bangladesh -- especially through the Grameen Bank -- helped women living in poverty gain self-sufficiency and offered them a better life.
She lauded the government's efforts to increase access to education for young girls.
Terming the last parliamentary election the freest and fairest in the country's history, she said Bangladeshis now have the opportunity to build on this success and strengthen their democratic institutions.
“The United States stands ready to work with Bangladesh. And we will work to enhance economic opportunities,” said the secretary of state.
She also discussed the possibility of a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement, which would make it easier for US companies and investors to expand their activities in Bangladesh and increase trade.
Hillary thanked Dipu Moni for Bangladesh's leadership on a range of regional and global issues that include efforts to combat violent extremism, providing peacekeeping forces in trouble spots around the world, enhance food security and global health and address the threat of climate change.
“President Obama and I look forward to discussing these issues further next week in New York at the United Nations General Assembly,” said the top US diplomat.
The foreign minister briefed Hillary on the adverse impact of the climate change on vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh and stressed the need for collective action to cope with the challenge.
Dipu Moni said she drew Hillary's attention to the increased cost of development endeavours due to climate change and underscored the need for developed countries' assistance in adaptation and mitigation.
On the global financial crisis, Dipu Moni said they agreed that the challenges cannot be resolved by any single country and that there is need for concerted action.
Replying to a question on duty-free access of Bangladeshi goods to the US market and the country's inclusion into Millennium Challenge Corporation, Hillary said they discussed both the issues along with many others in a very comprehensive discussion.
“Certainly with respect to the Millennium Challenge Account, the foreign minister recognised that circumstances have changed with the election of a new government in December. We are both young administrations and working hard to get established and proceed on the numerous goals that we share,” Hillary said.
With respect to the foreign minister's request for duty-free access, she said the two countries have a vibrant trade relationship now, and it has been growing, and they look forward to continuing to grow that trade.
“We did specifically talk about the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, which has been discussed between our two governments -- your trade officials along with our trade representative,” said Hillary.
Bangladesh Ambassador to US Akramul Qader, Director General of Bangladesh Foreign Office Mohammed Ali, Deputy Chief of Mission of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington Mohammed Belal and Press Minister at Bangladesh Embassy Akhter Ahmed Khan were present on the Bangladesh side.
On the US side, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake and the secretary of state's deputy chief of staff Huma Abedin were present.