DHAKA: Visiting US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal said the United States wants an impartial and participatory election in Bangladesh.

She expressed her country’s view while addressing a view-exchange meeting with representatives of civil society at the residence of US ambassador to Dhaka Dan W Mozena on Saturday night.

In the two-hour long meeting, Nisha Biswal emphasized on  holding dialogue among political parties for finding a solution to the current political crisis for ensuring an election with the participation of all parties.

Sushasoner Jonya Nagorik secretary Badiul Alam Mazumder, Pro-BNP journalist Mahfuz Ullah, Odhiker secretary Adilur Rahman Khan, Brac University professor Barrister Monjurul Hasan and Dr Fouzia Karim attended the meeting.

Earlier, the US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs arrived in Dhaka at 12:10pm Saturday on an official visit.

She will stay here for two or three days and will call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, opposition BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni during the visit.

Nisha Desai will discuss global, regional, and bilateral priorities with Bangladesh officials and opposition political leaders.

The US GSP issue and the state of the ready-made garment industries are likely to figure in her discussions.

Nisha’s visit to Bangladesh comes in the background of rising political unrest over forming Bangladesh’s poll-time government.

It is her first visit to Bangladesh she replaced Robert Blake on October 21.

BDST: 1002  HRS, NOV 17, 2013
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