NEW YORK: US senate on January 8 in its full session unanimously passed resolution No. 318 expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the critical need for political reform in Bangladesh, and for other purposes.
The Resolution on January 8 agreed to in Senate without amendment and an amendment to the Title and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
In the first meeting of the senate of 2014 this resolution was adopted against Bangladesh.
The resolution will be now considered as a bill. In the bill it was described, in the US- Bangladesh relations the regional mutual interests in economic, tackling terrorism, stopping piracy, poverty alleviation, food security, regional stability, and facing natural calamities which are very important for USA. Besides, the long term investment of the American companies and the bilateral trade between US and Bangladesh which amounts to 6 billion dollar annually are also included.
Earlier, senate committee on commerce, science and transportation on last December 18 hearing “resolution – NSRES 318” sent to foreign relations committee in the form of resolution. In the working paper resolutions it has been described as that only ‘Resolution - NSRES 318’s (Title & Preamble)name and preface or without any amendment the US senate passed the resolution in toto.
The resolution 318 has been placed in the senate with a minor change in the preface for necessary important political reforms and for taking necessary steps (---and for other purpose).
As the resolution was passed in the full senate session now it is likely to go the House of Representatives - of USA. Moreover the powerful upper house can if desires arrange hearing or issue directives to the foreign relations committee. However, it requires the nod of the Lower House in case of any strong decision or sanction against Bangladesh.
It is to be mentioned here that in NSRES 318 hearing the resolutions adopted expressing grave concern at the rising of Islamic fundamentalism in Bangladesh described as 1) urging the political leaders for holding direct talks for fair, credible and acceptable election halting the political violence, 2) Expressing grave concern at deviated ‘enemy’ relations between the ruling Awami League and BNP. 3) The political leaders should voluntarily stop violence and simultaneously urged to create opportunities for peaceful protests 4) To ensure security to the foreign observers visiting Bangladesh to oversee January 5 election in Bangladesh, 5) Supporting the initiatives of Taranco for holding talks among the political parties, 6) To ensure the independence of the judiciary in halting repression on the human rights activists and called upon the government for revival of the autonomous status of Grameen Bank.
Senator of Connecticut Cris Murphy, senator Mike Engi of Wayiming led by Dick Durbinon placed the above proposals in the committee on last December 11. On the other hand in the proposal placed in the committee Dick Durbinon further told about the blockade of 18 parties where few dozens of people were killed and the students could not sit for examinations.
BDST: 1648 HRS, JAN 10, 2014
Edited by Shahjahan
