US calls for thorough probe of Oct 28 incidents

The United States has made a call for the authorities in Bangladesh to thoroughly investigate the incidents on October 28 and to hold those responsible for the violence accountable.

"We condemn the political violence that took place in Dhaka on October 28th.  The reported killing of a police officer, a political activist, and the burning of a hospital and buses are unacceptable, as is violence against civilians, including journalists," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

He made the remark in response to a journalist's query at a press briefing on Monday.

"We encourage the authorities to thoroughly investigate the incidents at the October 28th rally and to hold those responsible for the violence accountable," he said when asked how the US reacts to the present situation in Bangladesh.

"The holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone – voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society, and the media," he concluded on the matter.

Miller was also asked whether US diplomats were spying in Bangladesh, to which he answered, "...diplomats talk to a wide variety of people – civil society organizations, media professionals, business leaders, cultural contributors, educators, and many other types of organizations and individuals.  That is what diplomats do as part of their everyday job."

/KN/