DHAKA, – US Ambassador in Dhaka Earl R Miller today extended his country’s support towards the steps taken by the Bangladesh government over the repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar.
The envoy conveyed the US support when he paid a courtesy call on Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader at his office at the Secretariat.
After the meeting, Quader, also Awami League general secretary, told a press conference that the US envoy lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for giving shelter to the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.
“The US envoy lauded the generosity of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for giving shelter to the Rohingya people. He said Bangladesh has set a rare example of humanity,” he said.
Quader said the US ambassador wanted to know about the government’s strong stance about a few non-government organizations working at the Rohingya camps.
“We informed that allegations came to the government about the activities of a few NGOs. They took permission from the government for holding a prayer session (munajat) but held a big political rally. The government is looking into the allegations,” he said.
Quader said he informed the US ambassador that the country is facing different problems because of giving shelter to a large number of Rohingya people.
“We cannot bear the burden of additional 11 lakh people anymore. Because of them, we are facing geographical, political, economic and social problems,” he said.
He added that the US envoy assured of putting pressure on Myanmar to bring back Rohingya people.
Asked about BNP leaders’ meeting with the US ambassador, Quader said it was a routine work of the US envoy.
“We informed him that the government is giving enough space to the opposition parties. There is no problem in politics and administration,” he said.
About the allegation of BNP that the government is not giving bail to BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia deliberately, the AL general secretary said the issue of getting bail is a ‘legal matter’.
“Besides, BNP leaders announced to free Khaleda through movement. So, they should do so. . . . They cannot assemble 500 people. Khaleda Zia is in jail for one and a half years. But BNP could not wage movement for one and a half minutes,” he said.
About media reports over the decision of dissolving Bangladesh Chhatra League’s central committee, Quader said no decision has been taken yet in this regard.
