Russia said US Ambassador Peter Haas was interfering in Bangladesh’s domestic affairs, a claim denied by the US State Department, which said the US supports free and fair elections and will continue to engage with the government, opposition, civil society and others.
On November 22, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an embassy release that US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas met with a senior local opposition figure in late October and reportedly discussed plans to organize mass anti-government protests.
The Russian spokesman also told that the American minister promised information support in the affair of the authorities using force against actors in “ peaceful demonstrations, ” and that these assurances were allegedly made on behalf of the embassies of the United States, Great Britain, Australia and a number of countries. other countries.
In response to a query from The Business Standards on the matter, the US Embassy in Dhaka released a statement from a US State Department spokesperson.
“We are aware of Ms. Zakharova’s deliberate mischaracterization of U.S. foreign policy and Ambassador Haas’ meetings.
“ The United States doesn’t champion any political bash in Bangladesh. The United States also does not favor one political party over another.
“We want what the people of Bangladesh themselves want: free and fair elections that are conducted peacefully.”
Bangladesh has been in the grip of political unrest since October 2023, leading to hartals and blockades throughout November that resulted in violence and deaths across the country, leading to the arrests of many opposition leaders.
Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh are currently scheduled for January 7, 2024.
