Ted Kennedy Jr. and his family members paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday.
They met the premier at her official residence Ganabhaban in the morning, according to PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.
Kennedy Jr., son of the late US Senator Edward M. Kennedy and nephew of the late US President John F. Kennedy, and his family members is in Bangladesh to attend the celebration of 50 years of Bangladesh-US diplomatic relations arranged by the US embassy here in Dhaka.
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Ihsanul said the prime minister welcomed the members of the Kennedy family, saying that this visit is very significant during the golden jubilee celebration of Bangladesh-US diplomatic relations.
She expressed gratitude to the family members for Edward M. Kennedy's outstanding contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina also recalled the visit of Edward M. Kennedy who was a staunch advocate for Bangladesh’s fight for independence, to Bangladesh in February, 1972.
Remembering late Edward Kennedy as a true friend of Bangladesh, the PM said he had also visited the refugee camps in India at that time.
She said the late US senator on 11th of December 1971 took a bold stance against the genocide committed against freedom-loving Bengalis by the Pakistan military in 1971.
Hasina said her ancestral home at Tungipara of Gopalganj was also set on fire during the 1971 Liberation War.
She said Senator M Kennedy raised his voice and drummed up public opinions in the USA in support to Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
The PM also highlighted various welfare steps taken by her government, including providing houses for homeless people.
During the meeting, Ted Kennedy Jr. said the then US President Nixon and Secretary of States Henry Kissinger supplied arms to the then West Pakistan, according the media briefing by the press sectary.
He said Kennedy family has been working for the justice and equality for the disabled people. He will meet with the organisations in Dhaka, which are working for the welfare of the disabled people.
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During the meeting, Kennedy Jr. was accompanied by Dr. Katherine Kennedy (wife), Dr Kiley Kennedy (daughter) and Teddy Kennedy (son).
Accompanied by his family members Ted Kennedy Jr. arrived in Dhaka on Saturday on a seven-day visit to Bangladesh. He is scheduled to travel t0 Rajshahi and Bogura.
PM's Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin, PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas were present.