New US visa policy to curb money laundering: Momen

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said the new US visa policy will help control money laundering. "There is nothing to worry about the new visa policy," he told reporters after attending a programme at International Mother Language Institute auditorium in the city.

"Who takes (US) visa? Some rich people, and government officials. Those who are my political agents who will work in polling, they do not come to seek visa. Then what worries about it?" Momen said.

He also said some politicians, big businessmen, or civil society leaders whose sons and daughters study abroad, make establishment there take visa.

Momen referred to those who siphoned off money and hoped that money laundering will come down due to the new visa policy.

Momen said those people who resort to violence, arson and destruction and their leadership needs to remain cautious. "You know who do this."

"We want to stop arson attacks. Once you see the faces of arson victims who survived, you will be very sad . You know who do that. Their leadership needs to remain careful," he said.

Momen said Bangladesh Awami League believes in people and democracy.

Bangladesh expects that the new US visa policy will not be applied arbitrarily in a non-objective manner.

The government of Bangladesh has taken note of the announcement made by the US Secretary of State on a visa restriction policy pursuant to the so-called 3C provision under the US Immigration and Act, said the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

"Bangladesh would like to view this announcement in the broader context of its government’s unequivocal commitment to holding free and fair elections at all levels for upholding the country’s democratic process," reads the statement.

Under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, MoFA said, Bangladesh remains a democratic and politically stable nation with experience of holding a series of elections at national and local levels.

The government apparatus will take necessary measures to prevent and address any unlawful practices or interference by any individual, group or entity to compromise the smooth and participatory conduct of the elections.

The electoral process will remain under strict vigilance, including by international observers as accredited by the Election Commission, according to the statement.

The government expects that the local undemocratic forces that resort to violence, arson and destruction would remain cautious and refrain from their misguided efforts to jeopardize the electoral process as mandated by the Constitution.

"It is entirely up to the people of Bangladesh to sustain the hard-earned democratic process, political stability and development gains in the country," MoFA said.

The government appreciates that the international community including the US firmly stands by Prime Minister’s sustained commitment to ensure free and fair elections.

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