POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Apr 9, 2022 : Wendy Sherman, the US Deputy Secretary of State, emphasized the importance of protecting human rights, the rule of law and freedom of expression in Bangladesh. Wendy Sherman met with Foreign Secretary Masood bin Momen in Washington DC on Thursday night, Bangladesh time. US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters after the meeting.
Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is the second-highest ranking official in the US State Department.
Spokesman Ned Price said: “On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of US-Bangladesh relations and to discuss bilateral economic, trade and security cooperation, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masood bin Momen. They also discussed measures to increase security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Deputy Secretary Sherman stressed the importance of protecting human rights, the rule of law and freedom of expression. ‘
The Foreign Ministry in Dhaka described the meeting as fruitful. The Foreign Ministry’s Facebook message said, “The meeting discussed various issues of mutual interest in a very amicable atmosphere.” ‘
The Bangladesh embassy in Washington DC said in a press release that the foreign secretary had expressed concern over the US sanctions on the RAB. He said it could weaken Bangladesh’s efforts to combat terrorism, violent extremism and international crime. The foreign secretary said the government was redressing the allegations against RAB members. So the United States can temporarily exempt the RAB from sanctions.
Responding to a question on the Digital Security Act, the Foreign Secretary said the government has enacted the law to protect religious harmony and protect women and children. The government is working with the European Union (EU) to review the law and identify flaws.
On labor issues, the Foreign Secretary noted the need to work with the EU and the International Labor Organization (ILO) to develop a roadmap. He also called on the United States to join the initiative. “Everything cannot be done overnight,” he said. Gradual improvement has continued.
According to the Bangladesh Embassy, Wendy Sherman called for speedy implementation of the reform process in Bangladesh, especially in the area of labor rights, especially in the private sector. He also discussed the democratic process in Bangladesh and the possibility of Bangladesh’s participation in the next Democracy Conference.
Foreign Secretary Momen briefed Sherman on the progress made in enacting the law on the formation of the Election Commission in Bangladesh and the holding of Union Council elections across the country.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the situation in Ukraine and its global impact, Indo-Pacific strategy and disciplinary measures in the maritime area. Both sides agreed to work more on cooperation in the security sector.
Foreign Secretary Momen also discussed the possibility of a high-level visit to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the expulsion of Rashed Chowdhury, the self-confessed murderer of the Father of the Nation, from the United States.
The Secretary met with Julieta Noyce, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Immigration, and Sumna Guha, Senior Director of the National Security Council.
Assistant Secretary Julieta Noise is coming to Bangladesh soon. If the Rohingya are not expected to return, they will pose a greater risk to extremism and transnational crime, he agreed. In the meeting of the Foreign Secretary with Sumna Guha also discussed about the ban on RAB and Rashed Chowdhury, the murderer of Bangabandhu.
Earlier, after the 8th Bangladesh-US Security Dialogue in Washington DC, the sources said that in order to buy arms from the United States, one has to sign the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GISOMIA) first. In addition, the United States has requested Bangladesh to sign the Acquisition and Cross Services Agreement (AXA). The Gisomia Agreement calls for the protection of sensitive information related to security. On the other hand, under the Axa agreement, there will be an opportunity to exchange food, fuel, transportation and other supplies with the US military.
Bangladesh wants to buy sophisticated weapons from the United States to implement the Forces Goal and modernize the armed forces. The United States handed over a draft of the Gisomia Agreement during a partnership dialogue in Dhaka last month. Bangladesh is working on this. Relevant sources indicate that the GSOMIA is unlikely to be ready to sign the agreement before the ninth security dialogue in Dhaka next year.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh has to negotiate with the United States to buy Russian weapons or defense equipment as the United States has imposed sanctions on Russia on a large scale. There is a law in the United States called the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CATSA). Under the law, the United States may impose sanctions on a purchasing country if it buys military or defense equipment from a country under its sanctions.
