US offers help in resolving standoff in B'desh

Dhaka, Sep 15: The US has offered to mediate in resolving the prevailing political standoff between the Bangladesh Government and the main opposition party, Awami League, on electoral reforms.

The offer was given by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Patricia A Butenis in his meeting with Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil here yesterday.

''You sit together and bring an end to the crisis? If you are interested, the US is ready to mediate in this regard,'' Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil told reporters quoting Ms Butenis as saying.

In reply to Ms Butenis's offer, Mr Jalil said that no mediation is imperative as the government.

''In our meeting, I told the US Ambassador that the Awami League wants to participate in the elections as it could not hink of any alternative,'' Mr Jalil told reporters here.

''We want discussion but it should be meaningful so that the electoral reform proposals can be implemented,'' he said adding, ''the crisis cannot be resolved if the government maintains double standard on reform of the caretaker government system and the Election Commission.'' The opposition has already expressed no-confidence on Justice KM Hasan, the probable chief of the caretaker government, as current government has changed the law to bring him as the caretaker chief, which is likely to turn the election in Bangladesh National Party's favour,'' the Awami League leader said.

Responding to a query, he said Butenis has requested to create a congenial atmosphere to hold a free and fair election through dialogue.

Ms Butenis expressed hope that both the parties will evolve a fruitful solution through dialogue.

UNI