From: Ezajur Rahman <ezajur.rahman@q8.com>
To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 1:50:26 AM
Subject: [ALOCHONA] Dipu Moni's statement contradicted
Dipu Moni's statement contradicted by state minister
Courtesy New Age 27/4/09
Staff Correspondent
The state minister for foreign affairs, Hasan Mahmud, on Sunday differed with foreign minister Dipu Moni's statement. Immediately after her arrival from Jeddah on Saturday, Dipu Moni told reporters at the airport that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the first Bangladeshi premier to meet the Saudi king in seven years.
Former premier Khaleda Zia visited Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud in 2005, the state minister told reporters.
Hasan said that Sheikh Hasina had met the Saudi king in 2000 and 2001 and Khaleda Zia had visited him in 2005.
He also said the Bangladeshi workers will now be able to change jobs without being expelled from the country.
Briefing reporters on the outcome of the premier's visit, Hasan claimed that the one-hour-and- 20-minute meeting between the king and the premier was 'successful', adding that it was a 'rare' occasion as the king had addressed Hasina as his sister.
The state minister, however, remained silent when a correspondent said the Saudi king had addressed Hasina as his sister on previous occasions also.
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