Any rise of third force to be disastrous: US envoy

The USA is against any unconstitutional means and it would never support any such forces, whether it is military or civil ones, she said while exchanging views with journalists during her courtesy visit to the Prothom Alo office.

Democracy in Bangladesh is strong enough and the civil society, business community and the media here are also very strong, she said, adding that it would be quite wrong for anybody to think that the USA would favour any third force.

At the meeting, the US envoy also had a frank discussion about different issues such as democracy, upcoming elections, law and order, political situation, corruption, human rights and the role of the media.

She said the USA has been supporting the change of government through free and fair elections in a peaceful and democratic manner.

Her country would not support the change of government by any undemocratic means, she said, adding that it also does not favour any particular party.

Patricia said the international community, including the USA, is concerned over the prevailing political situation ahead of the national elections. Issues relating to the caretaker government system and the Election Commission should be resolved soon, she added.

Emphasising the participation of all political parties in the upcoming election and solution to the controversy over voter list, she said the last three elections were held in a free and fair manner.

A congenial atmosphere should also be created to ensure that the upcoming election is also held in a free and fair manner, she said and called on the mass media to play a vital role in this regard.

The US ambassador said all the political parties want to win the elections, which is not possible at all, and the defeated party should congratulate the winner.

She also pointed out that the winning party seems to have a desire for vengeance after the change of government, but this tendency is a major obstacle to strengthening democracy.

Patricia said, "We do not have any readymade solution to the question of reforms in the Election Commission. We do not want to give any direction in this regard, nor do we want to interfere in the internal affairs, because we respect the sovereignty of this country."

The ambassador said Bangladesh, as a member of UN Human Rights Council, should ensure human rights. From now on, the human rights situation will be monitored internationally, she noted.

She also said the Anti-Corruption Commission has to play an effective role in curbing corruption.

Earlier, Editor of the Prothom Alo Matiur Rahman welcomed the US envoy at the office. Officials of the American Centre in Dhaka, Prothom Alo Joint Editor Abdul Qaiyum, Deputy Editors Sazzad Sharif and Anisul Huq, News Editor Sanaullah and other senior journalists were present at the meeting.