US Ambassador to Bangladesh
US envoy’s visit to Mayer Dak coordinator’s house won’t hurt ties: Info Minister
The controversy over the visit of US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas to the residence of ‘Mayer Dak’ coordinator will not harm the relationship between Bangladesh and the United States, said Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday.
“Of course, the United States is our development partner. They also have a great role in our development journey,” said the minister while talking to reporters at the secretariat.
“I would urge the US Ambassador to stay alert about any wrong advice or attempt to make him biased like this,” he said.
Those who advised Haas to visit the residence of the coordinator of Mayer Dak made him controversial, he said.
Read more: Families of armed forces officers executed during Zia regime seek US ambassador’s intervention for justice
“I don't know who advised him to go to the residence yesterday. Whoever gave him the advice did not give the right advice,” the minister added.
“But I think the decision was up to the envoy and he also needed to focus on our special days”, he said.
The minister said it would have been great if Haas had visited Martyred Intellectuals’ Memorial, marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day on Wednesday.
Ambassador Haas visited the residence of Sanjida Islam, coordinator of Mayer Dak, a platform of the relatives of the victims of enforced disappearance, at Shaheenbagh in the city on Wednesday morning. Sanjida is the sister of BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon, reportedly a victim of enforced disappearance that took place in 2013.
The minister said the Foreign Affairs Ministry was not aware of the matter and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has already said so.
“Mayer Dak was formed by those who are reported to have been made victims of enforced disappearance. Many of them are being found again. Many are accused involving murder cases, many are accused of drug cases and many are fugitive convicts,” he said.
BNP keeps telling them that their leaders and activists have been victims of enforced disappearance, he added.
Read more: US envoy meets Momen, shares displeasure over embarrassment
Following the envoy’s visit to Mayer Dak coordinator’s residence, around 50 people from another organisation ‘Mayer Kanna’ a platform of family members of the victims of enforced disappearance during Gen Ziaur Rahman’s regime, went there to give a memorandum to the US Ambassador, said the minister.
But those who were in charge of security of the US envoy did not let ‘Mayer Kanna’ to do that due to his security concern.
“I think if the US Ambassador received their memorandum and had a talk with them, then he will not face the bitter criticism now," said the information minister said.
US envoy meets Momen, shares displeasure over embarrassment
Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday (December 14, 2022) said his ministry did not have prior information regarding the US Ambassador's visit to a particular residence where many people gathered outside the gate.
Momen said US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas met him on an emergency basis at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“I told him that it is our responsibility to ensure security for you and your people. I asked him (Haas) whether anybody attacked him or on his people. He replied, no,” the foreign minister told reporters, adding that they will provide the Ambassador additional security if he wants.
Momen said the Ambassador did not inform his ministry beforehand about the visit and wanted to know from the Ambassador how people came to know that he was going there. “We don’t know anything about it," he added.
Read more: US Ambassador hosts reception for DCAB
The foreign minister also advised the US envoy to look into how the information regarding his visit was leaked, adding that his (Ambassador) people may also do that.
Ambassador Haas visited the residence of Sanjida Islam, coordinator of Mayer Dak, an organisation of the relatives of the victims of enforced disappearance, at Shaheenbagh in the city on Wednesday morning.
Sanjida is the sister of BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon, who is reportedly a victim of enforced disappearance that took place in 2013.
The Ambassador's security escort asked him to leave the place as soon as possible fearing blockade by people there.
Read More: US keen to work with Bangladesh, other partners to ensure an open Indo-Pacific
“Due to security reasons he left quickly. He is very unhappy with that incident. He is a bit worried,” Momen said.
The US Ambassador and embassy staff ended the meeting due to "security concerns", said a spokesperson at the US Embassy in Dhaka.
"We are raising this matter at the highest levels of the Bangladesh government," he said.
“We cannot bar our journalists from performing their duties. They are very vocal and have the freedom and they run after events,” said the Foreign Minister while responding to a question.
Read More: US to be bold in promoting its vision of a free, secure, and prosperous world: Haas
The foreign minister said it is a country of free speech and people convey their messages freely and there is freedom of mobility.
But, he said, people can be arrested as per the law if public and private property are damaged.
Don't undermine US-Bangla friendship with comments on local politics: Quader asks US envoy
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday urged US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas not to harm the friendship with Bangladesh by making unwanted comments about Bangladesh elections and the rule of law.
He said this at the first preparatory meeting of the 22nd National Council at the political office of the party president in Dhanmondi in the morning.
Read more: US concerned about reports of intimidation, political violence in Dhaka
“Do not make unwanted comments or interfere in any issue of Bangladesh. Election fraud is not only happening in Bangladesh, but also in the United States. There is still another party complaining about election rigging in the US,” said Quader.
He said mass shootings are common in the US. “Every day two, three or five people are killed in mass shootings. But you are talking about the human rights of Bangladesh.”
“Sheikh Hasina will not listen to anybody's orders. She does not fear anyone except Allah.”
"We have bitter experiences with the US. We saw their role in 1971 and 1975. Despite all these incidents, we want a good relationship with the US.”
Read more: US Embassy issues alert for its citizens in Bangladesh
He also said no one will benefit from this type of comment. These will only be a barrier to good relations.
Bangladesh wants to maintain friendship with the US, he added.
On Thursday, the US Embassy in Dhaka expressed its concern over reports of intimidation and political violence in Dhaka and called on everyone to respect the rule of law.
"We are concerned about reports of intimidation and political violence in Dhaka and call on everyone to respect the rule of law and to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation," Haas said in a message through the verified Facebook page of the Embassy on Thursday.
He said they encourage government authorities to investigate these reports of violence and to protect the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
US keen to work with Bangladesh, other partners to ensure an open Indo-Pacific
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Monday said they seek to work with Bangladesh and other partners to build an Indo-Pacific that is free and open.
"We want a region that is free and open, interconnected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. We share this vision with many other nations," he said, sharing the five elements of the Indo-Pacific that the US shares with many other nations.
The US ambassador was speaking at a panel discussion “Untangling the Myriad of Multilateral Frameworks in the Indo-Pacific” at a programme titled “Bay of Bengal Conversation” held at a hotel in Dhaka.
Read more: US to be bold in promoting its vision of a free, secure, and prosperous world: Haas
He said they do not ask any nation to choose between the United States and any other partner.
"As we manage shifting geopolitical trends, the United States will conduct itself as a reasonable leader. We do not seek conflict. We do not seek a Cold War," Haas said.
The ambassador said the United States will be unabashed in promoting their vision of a free, open, secure, and prosperous world.
The window of opportunity to deal with shared threats is closing fast, said the ambassador.
He said the United States and 13 partner countries launched negotiations for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, or IPEF, what he described as a “novel economic arrangement” that reflects their collective desire to address 21st century challenges that go beyond trade and investment.
The membership of IPEF reflects the economic diversity of the region as well as the interconnectivity among partner countries that drives economic growth, job creation, and innovation, he said.
IPEF is intended to be open and inclusive to others who wish to join in the future if they share the goals of IPEF and work to achieve those goals.
“We will continue to work on these issues and grow our economic partnership bilaterally with all nations, including Bangladesh,” said the envoy.
Read more: Excited to see more Bangladeshi students are choosing US: Peter Haas
“Let us work together to strengthen the foundations of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and around the world,” he added.
The inaugural session was addressed by former President of Serbia Boris Tadic, CGS Chairman Dr Manjur A Chowdhury and CGS Executive Director Zillur Rahman.
US to be bold in promoting its vision of a free, secure, and prosperous world: Haas
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Monday said they seek to work with Bangladesh and other partners to build an Indo-Pacific that has five elements.
"We want a region that is free and open, interconnected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. We share this vision with many other nations," he said.
Read more: Excited to see more Bangladeshi students are choosing US: Peter Haas
The US Ambassador was speaking at a panel discussion “Untangling the Myriad of Multilateral Frameworks in the Indo-Pacific” at Bay of Bengal Conversations at a hotel in Dhaka.
He said they do not ask any nation to choose between the United States and any other partner.
"As we manage shifting geopolitical trends, the United States will conduct itself as a reasonable leader. We do not seek conflict. We do not seek a Cold War," Haas said.
The Ambassador said the United States will be unabashed in promoting their vision of a free, open, secure, and prosperous world.
Read more: US only cares for free & fair election, not who wins: Amb. Haas
The window of opportunity to deal with shared threats is closing fast, said Ambassador Haas.
"Our vision is a shared vision. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described Bangladesh’s vision for the region at the 2021 Paris Peace Forum," he said.
China not a barrier to stronger US-Bangladesh ties: Ambassador Haas
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has said Bangladesh’s relationship with China “does not create a barrier” to a “cordial and stronger” Bangladesh-US relationship as Washington intends to build upon that partnership over the next 50 years.
“We know that many countries, including the United States, have vital economic and people-to-people ties with China that they want to preserve,” he told UNB while responding to an email on whether growing Bangladesh-China relationship is a barrier to stronger US-Bangladesh relationship amid complex geopolitical development.
Read:Special economic zone not enough to attract best investors: US Envoy
China’s engagement with Bangladesh is crucial given its geo-politics and trade partnership. More than 500 Chinese companies are operating in Bangladesh, which has engaged China in all major infrastructure development projects, including the $3.6 billion Padma Bridge. Bangladesh also supports One-China policy, which means Taiwan is part of mainland China -- a stand contradictory to the US vision in the region.
Ambassador Haas made it clear that the US-Bangladesh relationship is driven by two countries - the United States and Bangladesh – and certainly not by any other country.
“I am confident that over the next 50 years our relationship will continue to grow regardless of external factors,” he said.
Over the last 50 years, Ambassador Haas said, they have built a strong foundation in bilateral trade and investment, people-to-people ties, and a long-lasting development partnership in public health, education, climate resilience, and more.
“As we manage shifting geopolitical trends, the United States will conduct itself as a reasonable leader. We do not seek conflict. We do not seek a Cold War. We do not ask any nation to choose between the United States or any other partner,” the US envoy quoted President Joe Biden as saying recently to the United Nations General Assembly.
Talking about the Indo-Pacific, Haas said their engagement in the Indo-Pacific is not against any particular country, nor it is designed to make anyone choose between countries.
Instead, he said, it is about advancing a positive, shared vision for creating a region where all nations can thrive.
Read:“Extrajudicial killings down since US sanctions on RAB, a good sign”
“We want to ensure that the Indo-Pacific region remains free, open, peaceful, and secure. Bangladesh wants the same thing. The United States is committed to working with Bangladesh to realize this shared vision,” he said.
The US Ambassador has recently talked about five goals and goal number one says a “more peaceful and stable” Bangladesh, better able to provide for its own security, counter threats to U.S. interests, and serve as a growing security contributor in the Indo-Pacific and globally.
Last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shared her vision for a free, open, peaceful, secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, based on international law and shared prosperity for all.
“US-Bangladeshi military cooperation plays a critical role in advancing that vision,” said Ambassador Haas describing the goal number one.
The US military regularly works with the Bangladeshi military to strengthen Bangladesh’s defense readiness, to increase its ability to respond to humanitarian disasters, and to reinforce the partnership between our military forces, he said.
Last month, Bangladesh and the United States co-hosted the 46th annual Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar in Dhaka which was the largest land forces conference in the region.
“It provided a forum for senior level officers from regional land forces to exchange views and ideas on how to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. It also established the Bangladesh Army as a key regional leader,” said the US envoy, adding that, “We want our security relationship to grow.”
Haas said five goals set the agenda for his team at the Embassy and the work they do every day with the people of Bangladesh.
“We believe that they are all mutually reinforcing, and we are successful across all five fronts -- strengthening US-Bangladesh relations,” he said, adding that Bangladesh-China relations will take its own course.
Special economic zone not enough to attract best investors: US Envoy
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has said a smart company considering doing business overseas will certainly want “certainty and security” as political violence and electoral instability “scare” them.
He said a smart company considering doing business overseas also wants to see certain things, including a developed transportation system, consistent access to power and water, and a well-trained workforce and Bangladesh has made great strides in filling these needs.
The US envoy said the international companies and investors must become more aware of the opportunities Bangladesh presents.
Read:South Korean envoy Lee for strengthening infrastructure cooperation with Bangladesh
“Bangladesh must be ready to welcome American businesses,” ambassador Haas said while speaking at a programme hosted by International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) at a city hotel on Tuesday as the chief guest.
Founding President of IBFB Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Chairman of Policy Research Institute of Bnagladesh Dr Zaidi Sattar, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union Charles Whiteley, IBFB President Humayun Rashid and its Vice President MS Siddiqui also spoke.
Hailing Bangladesh’s economic progress over the years, ambassador Whiteley said the country needs to work ensuring equal level playing field for both local and overseas investors.
Read Policy reforms, strong governance needed for completion of EZs: BEZA chief
He said the EU wants to work with Bangladesh for her smooth transition from the LDC. “EU wants to boost commercial ties further as the largest trading partner of Bangladesh.”
Ambassador Haas said there are strong reasons to look at Bangladesh for market opportunities and Bangladesh is worthy of their attention.
“Even in these challenging times, Bangladesh has a great macroeconomic story to tell. It has been among the fastest growing economies in the world over the past decade,” he added.
Read UK to invest 54.5 mn pounds for children in Bangladesh by next 8 years
Its GDP grew even during COVID-19 lockdowns, and, according to the Asian Development Bank, the economy is estimated to grow by 6.6 per cent over the next year.
The country’s financial leaders have so far managed its debt well and are taking important steps to deal with the inflationary pressures resulting from Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
“Yes, times are tough. And as the World Bank recently pointed out, Bangladesh needs additional reforms in order to maintain its economic expansion going forward. But so far, the macroeconomic situation seems manageable,” said the US envoy.
Read BGMEA, Eswatini for investment in apparel, textile joint ventures
"Remarkable efficiency": US lauds Bangladesh’s success in Covid-19 management
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Tuesday highly appreciated the Covid-19 management and vaccination programme of Bangladesh, saying this is a "remarkable efficiency" and "really amazing".
He said that US wants to make partnership with Bangladesh in "Global Covid Action Plan" on working out future situation of the pandemic.
"A US-Bangladesh ministerial-level special session, along with other stake holders, would be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly," said Haas.
Read: PM Hasina visits British High Commission to pay tribute to Queen
"Bangladesh is clearly ahead of the United States in vaccination programmes under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This is really amazing and the efficiency is remarkable," he said.
The envoy made these remarks when he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban here.
Briefing the press Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher said that Haas appreciated transformation of Bangladesh under the leadership of Hasina saying, "it is really exciting".
In this connection, he also mentioned that Bangladesh graduated to a developing nation from LDCs under Hasina's leadership. "It will continue to uplift further," he believed.
Regarding the success in tackling Covid-19 pandemic, the premier said her party and associate organisations handled the pandemic situation efficiently from the beginning by working around the clock during which they raised awareness, served the patients and distributed medicines and oxygen.
She said when the vaccine has become available, her government has provided first, second and booster doses free of cost to the people. Now, the government is administering vaccine to the children, she added.
In this connection, she said that she formed a committee under the Prime Minister's office to coordinate with the other ministries and stake holders for handling Covid-19 vaccination scheme, which worked really well.
Read: PM felicitates UK’s new king, looks forward to excellent friendship
Sheikh Hasina said that she herself communicated with all at that time.
She expressed her sincere gratefulness to the US President Joe Biden for contributing vaccine to Bangladesh. "Please convey my thanks to the President," she told the ambassador.
Mentioning that people are suffering due to Covid-19, Russia-Ukraine war and western sanctions, Sheikh Hasina said that they are trying to work for the people with full affordability.
Regarding the graduation from LDC, she said her government, after winning the election in 2008, had taken different measures to uplift Bangladesh to a developing nation. "Despite the setback of Covid-19, Russina-Ukraine war and sanctions, Bangladesh will continue to uplift."
To this end, the premier also highlighted the measures taken by her government for the marginalised people in the society in changing their fates.
Hasina said that her government is working following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to change the fate of marginalised people.
Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin and Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus, among others, were present.
Haas reiterates: US has no favourite in B'desh political arena
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has reiterated that the United States has no preference for any particular party or platform in Bangladesh's political arena, but rather wants to see an “open and competitive process” play out ahead of the next national election.
“I want to be very clear that the US has no preference. We have no vote. We don’t favour any particular party, platform or anything else that is not our role,” he said during the inaugural episode of “AmTalk,” an initiative premiered on the verified Facebook page of the US Embassy Friday evening.
Ambassador Haas said they would like to see the same thing that the people of Bangladesh would like to see - an election run at an international standard that allows the people of Bangladesh to choose their next leaders in an “open and competitive” process, free of violence.
The US envoy said he very much welcomes some of the signals and signs that he is receiving in terms of having a transparent election.
Read: PM Hasina sends mangoes to Indian President, PM as gift
He referred foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and said he (Momen) has made it clear that Bangladesh will welcome international observers. “I think that’s critical…..”
Ambassador Haas laid emphasis on advancing the relations between Bangladesh and the United States taking advantage of the opportunities and addressing the challenges through joint efforts.
IPS a positive vision for all, not military alliance: US envoy
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas Thursday said the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) is a positive, shared vision for creating a region where all nations can thrive – Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the US, and each and every other county in the region.
"The Indo-Pacific Strategy is not a military alliance. Nor does it seek to become one," he said, adding that the IPS is not about a contest between a US-centric region and a China-centric region. "Indeed, we view the Indo-Pacific as its own region."
Read: US engagement in Indo-Pacific not against any country: Miller
While addressing the international conference on "Moving Forward in the Indo-Pacific: Bangladesh's Role in Fostering an Open, Resilient, and Interconnected Bay of Bengal and Beyond" the US envoy said the IPS is not designed to make anyone choose between countries.
One of the key tenets of the strategy is that every country should be able to choose its own path, free from pressure or coercion, he said.
The US Embassy in Dhaka and the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) jointly organised the conference at the university auditorium.
The US ambassador said they will seek "closer security cooperation" with partners to tackle challenges – violent extremism, illegal fishing and human trafficking where Bangladesh has made incredible strides.
"The United States is proud to partner with Bangladesh on these challenges and more," he said.
Ambassador Haas said they are developing a comprehensive Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which will include shared objectives in key areas – climate and clean energy, fair trade facilitation, resilient supply chains, and the digital economy.
"I look forward to working on these issues with the people and the government of Bangladesh in the coming months," he said, adding that they will bolster Indo-Pacific security.