 "'...It's all his speculation': Bangladesh minister refutes reports on threats to US Ambassador Peter Haas")
Amid reports in Dhaka claimed that politicians from the ruling party allegedly threatened US Ambassador Peter Haas over his perceived interference in the elections, Bangladesh State Minister of Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam on Monday rubbished these allegations and called the departure of the ambassador from the country “unfortunate.” Speaking to ANI news agency, Alam said, “I have a responsibility. All the ambassadors who are posted here are our guests and we are supposed to look after them. Provide them with high security as much as they are also responsible for offering the interests of Bangladeshi diplomats abroad. We know for sure where he is, it’s all his speculation. It’s unfortunate we shouldn’t be discussing all this. But I’m not supposed to disclose his location, it, personal information and its official information. But we know.”
#WATCH | Dhaka: On US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas' sudden leave from the country amid elections, Bangladesh state minister for Foreign Affairs Minister Shahriar Alam says, "...We know for sure where he is...it's all speculation...I'm not supposed to disclose his… pic.twitter.com/2vUldntwFL
— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2023
Following the announcement of the election date by the election commission, the US Ambassador is reported to have left the country. Bangladesh is set to hold its general election on January 7.
Sources in Bangladesh said the current status of the US Ambassador to Bangladesh reveals he is presently in Sri Lanka.
On US Department of State’s decision to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshis responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh, Alam said, “The advice is self-explanatory but we don’t like it… But we respect any country’s decision and I am sure our hope is really that the new visa policy will stop BNP and Jamaat from repeating the atrocities they committed in 2014, But unfortunately, it has failed, so the new visa policy did not help the process at all, so it has to be reviewed by the US.”
#WATCH | Dhaka: Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister Shahriar Alam on US visa restrictions, "...We didn't like it but of course, we respect any country's own decision. Our hope really was that the New Visa policy will refrain BNP and jamaat from repeating the… pic.twitter.com/unYxPFh0fo
— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2023
The United States condemned the political violence that took place in Dhaka in October and said that it will be “reviewing all violent incidents for possible visa restrictions”. The statement came after a police officer and a political activist were killed during the clashes between the BNP and police. “We call for calm and restraint on all sides. We will be reviewing all violent incidents for possible visa restrictions,” the statement read. With inputs from agencies
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