Following an hour-long meeting with Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina in Sudha Sadan yesterday Butenis told reporters, "We had a frank discussion about political parties and my sense is, just reading the newspapers, that the people don't want a return of politics as usual because they want a change."

The US envoy said she encouraged AL and other parties including BNP to examine the wrong practices inside the parties and to find out what the people want. "The party itself can take initiatives to make reforms based on what the people want," said the US ambassador.

Butenis, who will fly to Washington at the end of this month for two weeks on vacation, called on Sheikh Hasina to share AL's thinking about the current political situation and holding of the next election.

Butenis said the present caretaker government (CG) has been working to create an environment for holding a credible election. "The caretaker government should move towards poll as early as possible, resuming the stalled electoral process," she said.

She also urged the Election Commission to engage the political parties in discussions on the timeframe for the election and how to make it credible.

The US envoy appreciated the CG for the steps so far taken by it saying that it has 'popular support'.

Butenis also discussed with Hasina the recent arrests of political leaders. "We discourage misuse of the criminal procedure code," the US Ambassador said.

Hasina's Political Secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury, who was present at the meeting, told reporters that the present political development, reconstitution of the Election Commission, and other steps taken so far by the present CG have been the outcome of their movement.

He said since the Election Commission (EC) has already been reconstituted, the commission's future steps like preparation of a voters' list and resolving the issue of voter ID cards, and depoliticisation of the administration came up in the discussion.

Regarding the proposal of the US Ambassador on reforms in political parties, he said, "We welcomed it and informed her that it's a continuous process in Awami League. Moreover, we have our own plans to proceed with reforms within the party and we will take our initiatives soon, out of our own necessities."

Saber, who is also an AL organising secretary, said they already have plans to modernise the party so that they can get involved with a larger number of people.

About the arrests of political leaders, he said, "It will go against the law if the arrests are made to keep a balance. But those who are accused or criminals, their political identities should not be considered," he said.

Saber said they want the present CG to hold the next election as early as possible. "She [Butenis] also expressed a similar view," Saber said.

AL Presidium Member Kazi Zafarullah, Syed Abul Hossain, and former ambassador Mohammad Ziauddin were also present at the meeting.