US to support strengthening democracy in Bangladesh: Hillary

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday said the US will continue to support democratic institution building, counter-terrorism efforts and improvement of skills of law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh.
Hillary also expressed Washington’s desire to work with Dhaka on issues related to climate change.
The US secretary of state made the remarks during a meeting with Foreign Minister Dipu Moni in Washington, according to a message received here today.
“I had a substantive and fruitful discussion,” Dipu told a press briefing after the meeting. She said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relations with the United States.
During the hour-long meeting, Dipu and Hillary discussed various bilateral issues. Hillary said the US would stand by Bangladesh in its effort to development. She termed Bangladesh a model of empowerment of women and also mentioned about the innovative ideas of social empowerment.
The secretary of state also assured of looking into the other issues raised by the foreign minister during the meeting.
Hillary congratulated the foreign minister and the people of Bangladesh for their efforts to return to democracy.
Dipu briefed Hillary about the vision of the new government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for bringing changes.
She said the resolve of the newly elected government was to ensure the rule of law, good governance, to protect the inclusive and pluralist nature of the society, promote women’s empowerment, opportunities for the young and the disadvantaged.
“The goal of the government is to elevate Bangladesh to a middle-income country by 2021, which would coincide with fifty years of Bangladesh’s independence.”
Terming the task of achieving the goal as daunting, Dipu Moni said Bangladesh cannot do it alone. “It needs support and assistance from friends, particularly from the United States.”
Recognising the consistent support from the United States in the transition of democracy, she said the US government, the Congress and the people always stood by Bangladesh in support of the democratic cause.
The foreign minister requested the US secretary of state to allow duty-free and quota-free access of Bangladeshi products to the US markets, continuation of GSP facilities to Bangladesh and debt relief.
She also raised the issue of deporting the killers of the father of the nation Bangabaddhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who have been living in the US.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Akramul Qader, DG of Bangladesh Foreign office Mohammed Ali Sorcar, Deputy Chief of Mission at Bangladesh Embassy in Washington Sheikh Mohammad Belal and Press Minister at Bangladesh Embassy Akhter Ahmed Khan were present at the meeting on Bangladesh side while Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff Huma Abedin on the US side.