No scope for non-democratic force in power
US official says on Bangladesh; stresses long-term leadership for Grameen Bank
The United States believes that there is no chance the military or
other non-democratic forces can assume state power again in
Bangladesh, said visiting high-ranking US official Wendy Sherman
yesterday.
The US under secretary of state for political affairs in an exclusive
TV interview aired yesterday said, "I think Bangladesh has well-passed
the days of military affairs and well-passed the days of
non-democratic situation."
Asked what would be the US's stance if any situation like the last
changeover of January 11, 2007 re-emerged in future, Sherman told
private television channel ATN Bangla that the United States was
interested in supporting Bangladesh towards ensuring a sustainable
democracy.
About the ongoing political debate over how to hold the next
parliamentary elections, she said the people and politicians would
have to find out the mechanism so that the democratic process
continues.
Sherman is the third top boss in the US State Department. This is her
first visit to Bangladesh after being appointed US under secretary of
state for political affairs on September 21, 2011.
GRAMEEN BANK NEEDS LONG-TERM LEADERSHIP
During her visit to a project area of Grameen Bank at Katigram in
Manikganj yesterday, Sherman said the long-term leadership of the bank
should be decided as soon as possible.
"I am sure the leadership [of Grameen Bank] of the long-term will be
sorted out, and the international community very much wants to see it
happen as quickly as possible," she told journalists.
The post of the MD fell vacant after Prof Muhammad Yunus, who was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with Grameen Bank in 2006, was
unceremoniously relieved of his duties at the microfinance institution
in March last year.
In May, he stepped down from the post in order to avert disruption in
the Grameen Bank activities.
Sherman said even though Grameen Bank is in the process of selecting
its future leadership, it is still functioning very well and helping
people for the better future of their children.
The US official said Grameen Bank has a reputation of being an
internationally-recognised institution founded and created by Prof
Yunus.
During her trip to Manikganj, she talked to Grameen Bank's
beneficiaries, met school children and enjoyed cultural programme
rendered by a group of young kids.
Sherman said she came to the village to meet the children as "they are
the future of this wonderful country".
Grameen Bank is helping parents to create a better future for their
children through providing microcredit and other services, she said,
adding, "So they [children] can have education, food, and healthcare;
and grow up as entrepreneurs and strong adults."
Dan W Mozena, US ambassador to Bangladesh, and Mohammad Shahjahan,
acting MD of Grameen Bank, accompanied the US under secretary during
the trip.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=229340
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