US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated her call for a peaceful solution to Bangladesh’s ongoing political impasse for holding a free and fair election as she met with Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus and Brac Chairperson Fazle Hasan Abed on Sunday.
The one-hour talks were held at the Gulshan residence of the US ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena in the morning.
After her meeting with Yunus and Abed, Hillary joined a youth leadership programme at the International School, Dhaka (ISD) in the capital's Bashundhara area.
MEETING WITH YUNUS AND ABED
Emerging from the meeting with Hillary around 10:15am, Yunus told reporters that they discussed Bangladesh's possibilities and achievements so far.
"We have discussed the country's political scenario. We have discussed about microcredit and Grameen Bank," Yunus said.
The founder of Grameen Bank further said he and Abed sought Hillary’s attention in establishing a regional energy network with Nepal and Myanmar.
Talking to the reporters, Abed said, "We have discussed what we are doing for the development of the country, and what could be done to develop the country further."
The issue of women empowerment also came up in the discussion, Abed said.
The meeting between Prof Yunus and Hillary, an ardent supporter of the pioneer of microcredit, came almost a year after Prof Yunus resigned from Grameen Bank, which he set up three decades ago.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME
The youth leadership programme is an interactive one titled 'A conversation with Bangladesh' where the US secretary of state held a kind of introductory session with the youth leadership.
Members of different youth movement organisations, students of different schools, colleges and universities and members of youth council of US ambassador in Dhaka participated at the meeting.
During a question-answer session, Hillary termed Yunus and Abed as ‘national treasures’ and said they have created two of the world's best organisations — Grameen Bank and Brac.
She said Grameen bank has played a vital role in bringing changes to daily lives of the poor rural women.
Poor rural women own the Grameen Bank and "There is no such example in the world", she said.
Hillary had followed the crisis over change in management of Grameen Bank, she replied to a question.
"We do not support any action that may undermine the success of Grameen Bank," said Hillary, "We highly respect Yunus and his work."
Citing the recent murder of labour organiser Aminul Islam, Hillary said such killing and oppression on labour leaders are threats to labour rights.
"Islam's killing has to be investigated and the perpetrators must be brought to book," she said.
It would give a wrong message to the Americans if the government fails to probe into the murder and find out the culprits, she added.
Aminul Islam went missing in first week of April and his body was found later.
An independent investigation has to be carried into the murder and it is a test case for the government, Hillary said without elaborating further.
In reply to another question on whether Bangladesh is getting duty and quota free access of readymade garments to the US market, she said that the USA first wants to go for an agreement on the trade and investment and then for such trade advantage.
Cross-border issues, historical enmity and a lot of mistrust among the regional countries including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the central Asia have held back the development in the region, Hillary said.
She observed that Bangladesh has the opportunities to become a crossroad in the South Asian region and play a significant role in resolving the ongoing regional problems.
But regional grouping like Asean could be helpful for cooperation in trade, business and development, she suggested.
Responding to the alleged 'anti-Islamic' role of America, Hillary said it is a painful perception and it hurts her.
The youth leadership programme was organised by US embassy in Dhaka.
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