Send back killers of Bangabandhu

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday requested the US to extradite the killers of Bangabandhu.

She made the request to US Secretary of State John Kerry when he called on her at her office, reports UNB.

Kerry replied, “I understand your sensitivity, the issue is under review.”

Briefing reporters after the hour-long meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said the US secretary of state highly praised Bangladesh's socio-economic progress, adds the news agency.

Bangladesh has been doing a brilliant job in terms of economic development, said Kerry, adding that the US is a partner of Bangladesh in its development and on other issues.

Terming the US-Bangladesh relationship wonderful, Hasina said the bilateral ties would be further consolidated in future.

She also urged the US secretary of state to allow duty and quota-free access of all Bangladeshi products to the US market.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, prime minister's adviser Gowher Rizvi, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Ziauddin, US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat were present.

Earlier, the PM herself received Kerry at the Prime Minister's Office.

AT BANGABANDHU MUSEUM

The US secretary of state yesterday observed that Bangladesh was moving ahead in line with the vision of Bangabandhu under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's strong leadership.

He made the observation in the comment book at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on Dhanmondi 32 during his visit there in the morning to pay his respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangabandhu along with most of his family members was assassinated on the night of August 15, 1975 in the house.

In the comment book, Kerry wrote: “What a tragedy to have such valiant and courageous leadership stories from the people of Bangladesh in such a moment of violence and cowardice. But today, Bangladesh is growing in the vision of Bangabandhu - and under the strong leadership of his daughter. The United States is proud to be a friend and strong supporters of the fulfilment of his vision. We look forward to growing and working together for peace and prosperity.”

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Radwan Mujib Siddiq, son of Bangabandhu's younger daughter Sheikh Rehana, received Kerry at the museum around 11:45am.

FUTURE OF RELATIONSHIP

Addressing a gathering of civil society representatives, youngsters, government officials, media and labour leaders at the Edward M Kennedy Centre in Dhanmondi, Kerry talked about the future of the US-Bangladesh relationship, our diplomatic correspondent reports.

“I am not sure anyone would have predicted even a decade ago that our nations would be consulting closely on regional security, that Bangladesh would be using American cutters to patrol the Bay of Bengal, and that our shared agenda would include everything from counter terrorism to the environmental health and sustainability of our oceans, something we're also working on together,” he said.

It should be no surprise that the US and Bangladesh are not just partners pursuing common interests, but friends as well, added the US secretary of state.

Kerry said he came to Dhaka to reinforce that friendship and strengthen bonds. “I look forward to working with all of you to accomplish that important mission to the benefit of Bangladesh, America, and the world.”

He said the culture of this country is one of the world's most rich, diverse, and beautiful and it truly is a “shonar bangla” -- a “golden Bangla”.

KERRY ON 1971 WAR

The banyan tree that former senator Edward M Kennedy planted at Dhaka University remains a living symbol of the blood, sacrifice and courage that brought this country into being, the US secretary of state said.

“And it remains a symbol of friendship between the citizens of the United States and the people of Bangladesh,” Kerry told his audience at the EMK Centre, reports UNB.

Back in 1971, when the men and women of this beautiful land were under murderous attack -- some across the globe wanted simply to look the other way, he said.

“I was fresh out of college and fresh out of a war in Vietnam. And one of the things that made me proud was the way my home state senator and my home state supported Bangladesh in its quest for independence and freedom,” Kerry noted.

At that time, when the violence was at its height, senator Kennedy flew to this region, visited the camps where refugees were gathered, and returned home to bear witness to what he called “a systematic campaign of terror”, he went on saying.

“Early the next year, Kennedy returned and planted a banyan tree at Dhaka University, to replace the majestic one that rampaging soldiers had destroyed,” said the US secretary of state.

Addressing the US embassy officials in Dhaka, he said Kennedy had supported the independence of Bangladesh, as did people in his (Kerry's) state of Massachusetts.

“So you're serving here in Bangladesh in a very exciting time, a time of transformation, a time of huge possibilities, and yes, a time of challenge."

“But believe me, not many people get the opportunity to get up every day and go to work and make a difference in the lives of other people, and that's what you're doing,” added Kerry.