US move to improve ties with AL govt

The US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter D Hass is making frequent visits to the ruling party leaders possibly with a view to improving the deteriorating relationship between the US government and the government of Bangladesh.

Hass held extensive meetings with different leaders including Law Minister Anisul Huq, Salman F Rahman and Taufiq-e-Ilahi Chowdhury.

Although the next 12th National Election is expected to be held six months later, the US ambassador to Bangladesh has started meeting with different political parties and on many occasions he is talking about the election.

In last three days, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh held at least four meetings with the leaders of different political parties. He held at least two separate meetings with the leaders of ruling Awami League, a meeting with the leaders of the main opposition in the parliament Jatiya Party and another with the leaders of BNP.

Besides, a joint meeting was held with the leaders of Awami League, Jatiya Party and BNP on May 25 at his office.

In the latest move, the US Ambassador to Dhaka Peter D Haas held a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Advisor Taufiq-e-Ilahi Chowdhury on Wednesday at the latter's office located at the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday morning.

The US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas held another meeting on Tuesday with Law Minister Anisul Huq and Salman F Rahman, the Private Industry and Investment Adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The meeting was held at the office of Salman F Rahman in capital Dhaka.

After the meeting Law Minister Anisul Huq said, "We had a meeting with US Ambassador Peter Haas in the office of Salma F Rahman.”

Hours after the meeting the same Day, the US Ambassador in Dhaka held a meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alone on Tuesday. The meeting was held at the Gulshan residence of the US Ambassador. Mirza Fakhrul went to the Ambassador’s residence at 1:10pm and came out from there around 2:30pm.

Neither Mirza Fakhrul nor Peter Haas spoke to the media on the outcome of the meeting.

BNP insiders said the party men are considering the meeting very important ahead of the next parliamentary election.

Earlier on Sunday, a delegation of the main opposition in parliament Jatiya Party led by its Chairman GM Quader had a meeting with Peter Haas. GM Quader was accompanied by his special envoy Masroor Mawla.

The joint meeting with the leaders of Awami League, Jatiya Party and BNP was held at the residence of the Ambassador.

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