A senior US state department official has extolled Bangladesh’s current socio-economic development, saying the story of Bangladesh is one of optimism and opportunity.
“The United States is proud to partner with you,” said David J. Ranz, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at Bangladesh’s 49th Independence and National Day reception at embassy of Bangladesh Tuesday evening.
Officials from the White House, the Department of State, Justice, Commerce, Defense, Homeland and other offices of the US administration, former US ambassador to Bangladesh, high civil and military officials from different foreign missions and leading figures of Bangladesh community largely attended the reception.
Ranz said Bangladesh and the United States share democratic values and collaborate to grow and develop Bangladesh’s economy in areas such as energy and infrastructure. “We are also working closely on defense and counterterrorism,” he said.
The US official appreciated Bangladesh’s generous spirit for hosting one million Rohingya from Myanmar and said the United States remains Bangladesh’s partner in managing this crisis, having contributed nearly $500 million in humanitarian assistance since the start of the crisis in August 2017.
Condoling the death of five Bangladeshi nationals in New Zealand terrorist attack, Ranz said “we must remain vigilant against all forms of hate.”
Earlier, Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Mohammad Ziauddin requested the countries harboring the war criminals and killers of the father of the nation to return the criminals home to face justice.
“Bangladesh wants justice from the international community. For it is justice and justice alone, that can heal the wounds of our liberation war, and bring everlasting peace to our homeland,” he said.
Ambassador Ziauddin expressed gratitude to US politicians, officials and the American people for supporting Bangladesh’s war of independence, saying their support was crucial for our liberation.
He said Bangladesh and the USA enjoy the best of relations, and the two countries have continued to further strengthen the existing relations with the support of the current US administration.
Our government looks forward to continuing working fruitfully with the United States…The expectation now is for interaction of political leadership, particularly at the highest level,” the Ambassador said.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina believes that Bangladesh and the United States, as responsible democratic states, have the potentials to continue strengthening the partnership to achieve the shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and secure Indo-Pacific.”
On Rohingya issue, he said the US extended Bangladesh strong political and humanitarian support. “Truly, it was a good deed at a time of our need from a time-tested friend,” he added.
At the reception, a representative of the Washington DC Mayor formally handed over to the Ambassador a copy of the proclamation declaring March 26 as “Bangladesh Day.”