Former ambassador of the United States to Bangladesh and president of Right to Freedom, William B Milam, has expressed his hope that the international community beside Bangladeshi society will support Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
鈥榃e hope all elements of Bangladeshi society and the international community will support Professor Yunus and his government as they take on this great responsibility,鈥� said Milam in a statement made available on Thursday.
He said that they welcomed the announcement that Muhammad Yunus had agreed to head an interim government and would be sworn into office on August 8.聽
鈥榃e can think of no one better suited to leading Bangladesh into this new future,鈥� the former diplomat said.
The past interim governments in Bangladesh have a mixed track record, he mentioned, adding, 鈥楾he interim government鈥檚 primary responsibility will be to hold free, fair and inclusive elections, this cannot be done until there is a conducive enabling environment.鈥�
Milam, however, said that those responsible for the violence must be held accountable for their actions.
He also believed that an impartial international inquiry into these tragic events could assist in this regard.
鈥楢long with Bangladesh鈥檚 many friends around the world, we at Right to Freedom have watched with admiration as the Bangladeshi people this week reclaimed their democracy,鈥� he said, adding, 鈥榃e mourn the loss of life during recent days and remain concerned about reports of ongoing violence.鈥�
In the statement days after Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India on Monday amid students-led mass uprising against her regime, the former diplomat suggested that in light of the sacrifices made by those who led the struggle against the Hasina dictatorship, the new government must not repeat these past mistakes.
