‘Holding Dialogues With Our Friends’: US On Efforts To Prevent Extremist Attack On Bangladesh

United States Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce referred to Bangladesh army chief’s warning of a possible extremist attack on the nation and said.

America was holding face-to-face dialogues to monitor the overall situation. During her press briefing, she responded to a question on US’ efforts to prevent Bangladesh from another Afghanistan and said, “Fortunately, we have an administration and a Secretary of State (Marco Rubio)

Who is completely committed to diplomatic resolutions, to face-to-face conversations with our friends around the world, and certainly the impact, hopefully, of our strength and our President (Donald Trump), who is known for taking things seriously, to know that we expect every country, certainly Bangladesh and others, to say the least, to follow the rules of human rights and to be cognizant and fair regarding the behavior and what their own citizens expect from their government.

Responding to a question on the unlawful detention of journalists under the Yunus government, she said, “We expect Bangladesh to follow the rules of human rights and to be cognizant and fair.”

Bruce also condemned the violence against minorities in Bangladesh during her press briefing. When asked about the recent remarks made by US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard regarding Bangladesh, Bruce stated that the US welcomed efforts by the interim government to reduce instances of such violence.

“We condemn any instances of violence or intolerance directed toward members of minority communities in any country and have welcomed measures taken by Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure safety and security for all in Bangladesh. That’s what we’re watching. That’s what we expect. And that will be what continues,” Bruce said.

The Bangladesh interim government has expressed deep concern over Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks on an “Islamist caliphate,” stating that her comments are both “misleading and damaging” to the country’s image and reputation. “We note with deep concern and distress the remarks made by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, in which she alleged “persecution and killing” of religious minorities in Bangladesh and that “the threat of Islamic terrorists” in the country is “rooted” in the “ideology and objective” to “rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate.

“This statement is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism”, Bangladesh’s interim government said in a statement late on Monday.

Gabbard remarked during an interview on an Indian television channel, where she explained the ideology of the “Islamic Caliphate” and how extremist elements have influenced various countries.