Donald Lu sends letters to 3 parties to hold unconditional dialogue

The US assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu has issued letters to three major parties of Bangladesh--Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party.

Jatiya Party secretary general Mujibul Haque said they received a letter from US ambassador in Dhaka Peter Haas.

Letters have been given to Awami League and BNP too, he quoted the US ambassador as saying.

Mujibul Haque said it is mentioned in the letter that the US expects a free, fair, neutral and inclusive election in Bangladesh. The letter also calls for a dialogue without any condition.

Peter Haas held a meeting with JaPa chairman Golam Mohammad Quader at his office in Banani on Monday.

After the meeting, JaPa secretary general Mujibul Haque disclosed these to newsmen.

He said, "The US assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu has come with a letter. He has handed over the letter to our party chairman. Peter Haas said the same letter has been given to Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party." 

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Mujibul Haque said three things have been mentioned in the letter.

First, the US mainly wants to see a free, fair and inclusive election.

Second, it has been mentioned that a dialogue without conditions has to be held.

Third, the visa restriction the US has adopted for a free and fair election has been reminded in the letter.

The letter has been given ahead of the announcement of the 12th parliamentary election.

The Jatiya Party's meeting with Peter Haas started at 3:00pm. The meeting continued for about 40 minutes.

Alongside Jatiya Party chairman Golam Mohammad Quader and secretary general Mujibul Haque, the party co-chairman Kazi Firoz Rashid and JaPa chairman's adviser and special envoy Mashrur Mawla were present.