'US wants what Bangladeshis want'

The United States has stated that it wants what the Bangladeshis themselves want: free and fair elections that are conducted in a peaceful manner.

"The government, political parties, civil society, and the media in Bangladesh have all expressed their desire that the upcoming national elections are free and fair and conducted in a peaceful manner – as we want," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a regular media briefing on Tuesday.

Miller made the remarks after a journalist asked about a statement by Ambassador Peter Haas in Bangladesh on possible visa curb on media.

He added, "The visa restriction policy that we’ve announced supports this objective and the desire of the people of Bangladesh to freely choose their leaders. 

"I’ll just say the United States does not support any particular party and does not want to influence the outcome of the election, only to ensure that the people of Bangladesh may freely choose their leaders."

/KN/