In a written response to a question from Dastagir Jahagir, Editor of The Voice, the U.S. State Department Press Office said, “These are matters for Bangladeshis to decide for themselves.”
The response came in relation to a question about the long-term democratic viability of the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman following the February national elections, amid the continued ban on the Bangladesh Awami League and its exclusion from parliament.
The question also asked whether Washington considered the exclusion of the country’s oldest political party from legal political participation compatible with broad-based, long-term political stability.
The State Department, however, did not directly comment on the Awami League’s exclusion or assess its implications for Bangladesh’s democratic system.
Instead, the department stressed the scope for further bilateral engagement, saying that “the United States sees significant potential for deepening U.S.-Bangladesh relations, especially in economic, trade, commerce, and security areas.”
The department added: “We are optimistic about Bangladesh’s future and look forward to continued partnership and dialogue.”
The response indicates that Washington is keeping its public position focused on Bangladesh’s own political decision-making while signalling continued U.S. interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation across economic, commercial and security areas.
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