Results to mark no change in US policy for S Asia
Staff Correspondent
US Ambassador Harry K Thomas said yesterday that a victory for President George W Bush or Democratic President candidate John Kerry would not significantly change US foreign policy towards South Asia and either of the administrations would continue taking a keen interest in Bangladesh."I would expect many of them would continue if he (Bush) is still president.... Clearly you know, he is not the one to easily change his mind," said Thomas, referring to the policies carried out by the incumbent Bush administration. But, he said a Kerry administration would not diverge from the current administration's commitment to a strong relationship with Bangladesh exemplified by high-level visits during the incumbent administration's rule, including by US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Thomas made the observations at a press briefing at the American Centre yesterday organised to take questions on the US elections. The envoy also said there is no way to know of the changes in US plans to assist least-developed nations, such as Bangladesh, until the next fiscal budget is passed next year either under the Bush or Kerry administrations. He however added, "As the ambassador to Bangladesh I would like to see the aid increase." Asked about the difference in strategies of Bush and Kerry for the 'global' war on terror, Thomas said both Bush and Kerry are equally committed to the war on terrorism across the globe. He also said the "deep wound" inflicted by the September 11, 2001 attacks were perhaps a reason for US voters to back President Bush strongly in this year's polls, when asked of the role of Bush's homeland security or the attack on Iraq in the elections. Thomas also praised the participation of Bangladeshi-Americans in the election process and said US citizens vote as Americans, which transcends races and ethnicities. ARMITAGE, TORKEL VISITS
The US ambassador yesterday did not rule out the possibility of a visit to Dhaka by US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage during his eight-day South Asia and Middle East trip starting November 4. "I am not ruling it out," said Thomas when asked if Armitage was making a stopover in Dhaka during the trip. The ambassador confirmed, however, that US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Torkel Patterson would visit Bangladesh on November 8. Patterson would leave on the November 12, he added.
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