Momen: Efforts on to change Washington’s decision on sanctions

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said the government’s efforts and discussions with the United States will continue so that it changes its decision on designated sanctions imposed on some present and former officials of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

“It’s not like that all the decisions of the US are correct. There’re many examples. We’ll discuss the issue with them. We expect they’ll change their position. Our efforts will continue on that front,” he said while responding to a question at a virtual media briefing.

The foreign minister briefed the media on the upcoming state visit of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind to Bangladesh from December 15 to December 17, which is a “reflection of the high priority” that both countries attach to their bilateral relationship.

Terming Dhaka-Washington relations “very sweet” with continuous discussions on many issues, the foreign minister, who got connected from Turkey, said the government believes that there will be no impact on the relations between the two countries.

He described the US decision as “regrettable” and mentioned that by and large RAB is free from corruption and people have confidence in them.

Earlier, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller was summoned by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Saturday to convey Dhaka’s “discontent” with the designated sanctions imposed by the US departments of treasury and of state on some of the present and former officials of RAB.

Foreign Secretary Momen expressed Bangladesh’s disappointment, saying that the decision was taken "unilaterally" by the US Administration without any prior consultation with the government of Bangladesh.

He flagged that the issues that were cited for imposing the designated sanctions remain under active discussions, including under the framework of the regular institutional dialogues between the two sides, and that yet the US decision came without any prior intimation.

The foreign secretary regretted that the US decided to undermine an agency of the government that has been on the forefront of combating terrorism, drug trafficking and other heinous transnational crimes that have been considered to be shared priorities with successive US administrations.

Ambassador Miller took note of the concerns raised by Bangladesh, and assured Dhaka of conveying the same to his Capital, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

He concurred that the excellent multifaceted relations between two countries could be further deepened through established consultation mechanisms and high-level visits.

Ambassador Miller further expressed the willingness of the US government to remain closely engaged with the Bangladesh government in the coming days on the issues of mutual interests