Call to apply visa policy on those who obstructing election: FM

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has urged the United States to impose their visa policy on those who are obstructing election in Bangladesh.

The foreign minister made the call while talking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

“The USA does not want much and they only want free and fair election in Bangladesh. We also want free and fair election.  They (US) are with us if we do so. We are also with them. The USA is our friendly-country. Not only election, we have various relations with them. The USA is a realistic country”, he said.

“The USA believes in democracy. I would tell them to bring those under the US visa policy who are trying to foil the poll,” said.

Mentioning the USA as a realistic country, he said, the USA, violating all the international laws, sided with the Pakistani forces in 1971 who committed genocide here. But when Bangladesh secured the victory on December 16, the US kept supporting Bangladesh, Momen said. “Since our independence, the US has never gone against us. What does it mean? As the country is created, so we are with them.”

He said the next election will be seen as participatory if people cast their votes. Usually, 50 percent voters cast their vote in Bangladesh, he added.

Responding to a question on RAB, he said RAB is a very effective organisation. We have uprooted terrorism due to the presence of RAB. The US is a mature government and we are always hopeful that sanctions on the elite force will be withdrawn, he said.