Progress in Key Areas
Graft, political polarisation pose threat to society
Says US Congressman
Unb, Dhaka
Chairman of the US House International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific Congressman James Leach has said Bangladesh has made impressive strides in some key areas, including agricultural production, literacy rates, basic social services, and empowering women, despite many handicaps."As the fourth most populous Muslim country in the world, Bangladesh's voice of moderation in regional and world affairs is widely acknowledged," he said in an opening statement at a hearing at the International Relations Subcommittee on May 17. Congressman Leach, however, said, "Endemic political polarisation, corruption and related governance concerns, and the rise of violent extremists all pose substantial challenges for Bangladeshi society." Recalling that Bangladesh and the United States have been close friends since 1971, he said the subcommittee is interested in learning how the US intends to work with Bangladesh to advance human rights and democracy objectives. He particularly expects free and fair national elections in Bangladesh in 2007.
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