- Title: BANGLANDESH: US SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL HAS TALK WITH BANGLADESHI LEADERS
- Date: 19th June 2003
- Summary: (W5) DHAKA, BANGLADESH (JUNE 19, 2003) (REUTERS) SLV DIGNITARIES WAITING FOR U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL AT AIRPORT 03 SLV POWELL WALKING DOWN AIRCRAFT STEPS AND BEING GREETED BY BANGLADESHI FOREIGN MINISTER M. MORSHED KHAN 16 SLV KHAN AND POWELL WALKING DOWN CORRIDOR 22 POWELL AND BANGLADESHI DIGNITARIES AT DINNER TABLE 32
- Embargoed: 4th July 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: DHAKA, BANGLADESH
- Country: Bangladesh
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVAERYHBLSAIKN1DG6SPEYVJ57AJ
- Story Text: U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Thursday lauded Bangladesh's international peacekeeping role and commitment to democracy during a brief visit to Dhaka on his way to the Middle East.
Powell also condemned the latest wave of bloodshed in the Middle East at a news conference.
During his visit to Dhaka Powell told a news conference that Washington deeply appreciated Bangladesh's support in its war against terror, and its efforts to build democratic institutions and fight poverty.
He said the United States considered Bangladesh a "valued friend and partner" and would like to see the South Asian country make further economic progress.
"Within south Asia Bangladesh is a strong advocate of regional stability," said Powell. "The United States deeply appreciates Bangladeshi support for the global anti-terrorism campaign."
Powell pointed out that a number of Bangladeshis were killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks and said "the hearts of the American people" went out to their families.
The U.S. Secretary of State, who had been attending an Asian security conference in Cambodia, lauded Dhaka's role in international peacekeeping and said it would be welcome to take part in humanitarian efforts in post-war Iraq.
He said, however, that it was up to Bangladesh whether it joined U.S.-sponsored peacekeeping efforts in Iraq. Dhaka said earlier it would participate only in a U.N. peacekeeping mission there.
Powell said he had discussed issues of common interest with Bangladesh Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan and would have further talks with Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia before leaving for Amman.
He said: "We've just had a very fine working lunch hosted by the foreign minister. The ministries of finance, commerce, and energy also took part and we discussed the very fruitful economic relationship that exists between the two countries and what we can do to make it even more beneficial to both of us in the months and years ahead."
Asked about the latest wave of killings in the Middle East Powell condemned the attacks, but insisted that progress towards peace was being made.
He said: "Once again we condemn such acts of terror. Such acts of terror are perpetrated by those who don't want to see two states living side by side in peace. They want to shatter the hopes and dreams of the Palestinian people. But we can't let these acts of terror keep us from that dream, that possibility.
"We have to keep moving forward and the reports I have from my staff within the past few hours seem to suggest that some progress is being made with respect to security arrangements that follows continuing discussions with Hamas and other organisations, with Prime Minister Abbas." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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