After the briefing of John Kirby, the spokesperson of White House's National Security Council (NSC), Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy cleared that Moscow stance against about the sanction on Bangladesh.
Alexander Mantytskiy said at the “Talks with Ambassador” program of the Swadhinata Sangbadik Forum at the National Press Club yesterday. Dhaka Union of Journalists Joint Secretary Khairul Alam chaired the event moderated by Sheikh Shahariar Zaman.
The United States has called Moscow's claims of Washington's interference in Bangladesh's domestic political affairs "classic Russian propaganda."
"Look, back in the Navy, we had a single two-syllable word to describe an allegation like that, which I will spare you from. This is just classic Russian propaganda," John Kirby said.
He said, "I'll just tell you that it's absolutely false, and the Russians know it's false."
Kirby said they want the same thing the Bangladeshi people want, and that is free and fair elections.
"And that's what the ambassador (Peter Haas) was - and his team was and will continue to work with all sectors of Bangladeshi society, including civil society, engagement with opposition parties and individuals as well as the sitting government, to work hard to make sure that the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people are respected. That's what we're doing," he said.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, during a weekly briefing in Moscow on November 22, said that Russia has spoken repeatedly about the attempts by the United States and its allies to influence the internal political process in Bangladesh, ostensibly under the banner of ensuring "transparency and inclusiveness" in the upcoming parliamentary election.
Information has come to light regarding a meeting at the end of October between US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas and a high-ranking representative of the local opposition, according to the Russian side.
They reportedly discussed plans to organise mass anti-government protests in the country during the meeting, the Russian side said.
In particular, the American Ambassador "promised" the representative of the opposition information support in the event that the authorities use force against participants in "peaceful demonstrations."
These assurances were purportedly made on behalf of the embassies of the United States, Britain, Australia, and several other countries, according to a Facebook post shared by the Russian Embassy in Dhaka.
Asked whether the US is stepping back from its position, Kirby said they believe in a free and fair election in Bangladesh, and they continue to make the case.
"We don't take sides in foreign elections, and that doesn't change with - in Bangladesh's case either. We support a free and fair election," he said.
This announcement is a new addition to Russia's enhanced engagement with Bangladesh amid strained relations with the United States over the upcoming general elections for which Washington announced visa policy for Dhaka.
The US and Russia relations have sunk to the lowest levels since the Cold War over the Ukraine issue.
Russia called the US's steps in Bangladesh’s internal matter “interference.”
Moscow also accused that at the end of October, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas met with a member of the local opposition to discuss plans for organizing anti-government rallies, a claim rejected by Washington.
The ambassador touched upon some pressing issues, such as Gaza, the Ukrainian crisis and the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.
He, however, said that this process should fully comply with national legislation, which requires certain agreements to be signed.
For example, the bilateral Intergovernmental Agreement on Readmission and its Implementing Protocol has been under consideration by the Bangladeshi side since 2011, he said.
Bangladesh and Russia have enjoyed historical relations since Soviet times due to their support in the 1971 liberation war. A Russian Navy squadron from its Pacific Fleet visited Bangladesh in November for the first time in 50 years on a friendly visit.
“It's a friendly call. It's a big milestone,” the ambassador said.
However, he replied to a question by saying Russia does not recognize any unilateral sanctions by the US.
“We recognize UN Security Council sanctions,” he said, adding that they were ready to discuss if Bangladesh faces any problem anytime.
He appreciated Bangladesh’s foreign policy of “friendship to all and malice to none” and said Bangladesh should continue this policy.
The full potential of trade and investment cooperation is yet to be fully tapped, the ambassador said.
What is happening in and around the Gaza Strip is a dire situation, the ambassador said, adding that the stances of Russia and Bangladesh on this issue are “similar”.
He called it “double standards” of Western countries over the Israeli “genocide” in Gaza.
“No reaction – thousands of children and women have been killed, and schools, hospitals and residential areas have been destroyed. Where is the solidarity of Western countries with Palestine?”
ARS
