DHAKA: The newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat on Tuesday categorically said that Bangladesh itself has to solve the prevailing political crisis.

However, the foreign friends would help if it is sought, US diplomat also opined.

Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat came up with the observations while addressing her first press conference as an ambassador of the US.

She emphasized that “the United States does not back any particular political force or party in Bangladesh.  Our intention is to work with all Bangladeshis, including a government that is receptive to a broader and deeper bilateral relationship with the United States”.

Bloom Bernicat further said, “The United States deplores the unconscionable attacks, including bus burnings and train derailments that have killed and wounded so many innocent victims.”

She added: “We have condemned in the strongest terms the use of violence for political objectives, believing that there is simply no justification for such actions in a democratic Bangladesh.”

She also expressed her pleasure over the matter that Foreign Minister of Bangladesh AH Mahmood Ali and Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque will attend the Countering Violent Extremism Summit beginning tomorrow (Wednesday) at the White House.

She further said: “The government-to government ties are important, but we should recognize they play a supporting role for something even more impressive . . . the strong and organic people-to-people ties that continue to lead and define our relationship.”

BDST: 1518 HRS, FEB 17, 2015