US supports steps to hold polls in Bangladesh

Farooq Sobhan apprised Burns of the present situation in Bangladesh and different steps undertaken by the government.

Nicholas Burns said US wishes continuation of democratic environment in Bangladesh. The US, he said, supports the government's steps to hold elections adding his country has been keenly watching the situation in Bangladesh.

Charge d' affaires of Bangladesh Mission in Washington Sheikh Mohammad Belal was also present.

On the US side, Assistant Secretary of State Kraner and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State John Gastright were present.

Farooq Sobhan also met Deputy Director of National Security Council of the White House JD Crouch at his office. He apprised Crouch of the context of the promulgation of emergency in Bangladesh. He also briefed him on various steps taken by the caretaker government to curb terrorism and eradicate corruption.

Crouch told Farooq Sobhan that the US was aware of the situation in Bangladesh. The US, he said, wants to see Bangladesh as a 'model of the Muslim world.'

He hoped that the present government would take steps to hold elections honouring people's opinion.

Later on the day Farooq Sobhan delivered a lecture organised by Hudson Institute where he drew a brief picture of Bangladesh's relations with other South Asian countries.