US doesn't want military involvement in Bangladesh politics: Butenis

Dhaka, June 18 (UNI) US Ambassador to Bangladesh Patricia Butenis today said Washington will not get militarily involved in Bangladesh politics, as they think it will be a mistake.

As there has been a political topsy-turvy amid a purge in the interim period of governance here, the outgoing American envoy also discouraged formation of any political party under any kind of 'pressure.' ''I don't want to see anybody coerced or forced to join a new party, and certainly we do not want to see military involvement in politics, I have made this point before that military should not take any sort of political role,'' said Butenis, who leaves Dhaka shortly for her next assignment in Iraq.

She made the remarks during an interview with United News of Bangladesh NB dents and VOA at the US Embassy.

The envoy said people may be interested in forming third, fourth or fifth political party. Nobel Laureate Professor Yunus had also tried to float a party and still may be group of people up there to bring together a new party, that is fine. But certainly it should not be under any kind of pressure.'' Replying to a question, Butenis said she takes the Army Chief at his word as he said publicly and in meetings that he has no political ambitions.

''Again, we've been pretty straight forward saying that any military personnel can retire or resign from military and decide to take politics, that's their business, but direct role for military in politics will be a mistake, I think.'' Butenis supported the reforms in political parties through discussions among themselves but said any attempt or plan to 'impose' changes on parties from above is going to invite trouble.

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