US for election that respects will of people of Bangladesh

Desk News :: US Department of State principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel made the remark while responding to a question at a regular media briefing in the Department of State in Washington DC on Thursday.

A nearly verbatim is now available on the US Department of State website.

The questioner said that everybody in Bangladesh wanted a free and fair election and asked Vedant Patel whether the US supported an unelected caretaker government before the next general election, demanded by the opposition political parties.

‘As you’ve heard us say, we do not support a particular government or political party or candidate in any country, and that in areas where there are elections ongoing, we – our goal and intent is for these elections to take place in a free and fair way that respects the will of the people of that country,’ Vedant responded.

The questioner said that, with the support of USA, Bangladesh government took a zero-tolerance policy in combating terrorism and radicalism and media was reporting the achievement positively contributes to the counterterrorism effort and national interest of USA.

He wanted to know the US’ evaluation about the achievement of the current government about this matter.

‘..that last year we celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, and of course that this is a country that we’re looking to continue to deepen our relationships and partnerships with as there continue to be a number of areas, including trade, cooperation in the climate space, cooperation in the security space, and otherwise where that potential exists,’ said Vedant Patel.