'US for free, fair polls with participation of all parties'

Chairman of National Advisory Council for South Asia Prof Bishnu Poudel speaks at a lecture session at Bangladesh Enterprise Institute conference room in the city yesterday. On his right is Political Counsellor of the US Embassy Dundas C McCullough and on his left are Farooq Sobhan and Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley. PHOTO: STAR

He observed that all the South Asian countries are facing challenges regarding democracy.

"Our objective in South Asia is to champion change and reform to produce a more stable, prosperous and integrated region through the advance of basic freedoms," he said at a lecture session at the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute conference room in the city.

At the session, former ambassadors and experts on international affairs exchanged views on the US' changing policy towards South Asia.

The US will continue its assistance in developing the democratic base in this region through investment in anti-corruption and transparency projects, support for the rule of law and encouragement of participation of civil society members in decision-making, said McCullough.

Delivering his lecture, Prof Bishnu Poudel, chairman of National Advisory Council for South Asia, a Washington-based think-tank, said the US government wants to ensure that a free and fair election will be held in Bangladesh.

He said the Bush administration is transforming the dimension of its foreign policy to suit the changing global scenario, particularly in the wake of North Korea's nuclear test and growing Chinese economy.

"Diplomats were withdrawn from nine countries and nine political counsellors were engaged for Indian affairs," he added.

He said the Americans are learning, experiencing and readjusting its foreign policy to meet the new challenges and that the unipolar world might not persist and there will be a change.

Former foreign secretary and BEI Chairman Farooq Sobhan said the expansion of public diplomacy is essential to bridge the gap between the US and the South Asia in the aftermath of 9/11.

Emphasising the formulation of a long-term strategy in the relationship, he said the concept of security in terms of US-South Asia relations should not be limited to military cooperation and strategic assistance.

He also called for easy access of Bangladeshi products to the US market and special attention to the regional relationship through Saarc and Safta.

Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley, chairman of the Centre for Development Research, also spoke.