[🇧🇩] US/EU support for Yunus-led govt

[Saif]

বাংলাদেশের প্রাতিষ্ঠানিক সংস্কারে সহযোগিতার আশ্বাস ট্রুডোর

বাংলাদেশি শিক্ষার্থীদের আরও বেশি ভিসা দিতে কানাডার প্রধানমন্ত্রীকে অনুরোধ করেছেন ড. ইউনূস।

bangla.thedailystar.net

বাংলাদেশের প্রাতিষ্ঠানিক সংস্কারে সহযোগিতার আশ্বাস ট্রুডোর
বাংলাদেশি শিক্ষার্থীদের আরও বেশি ভিসা দিতে কানাডার প্রধানমন্ত্রীকে অনুরোধ করেছেন ড. ইউনূস।

ছবি: বাসস

বাংলাদেশের অন্তর্বর্তীকালীন সরকারের প্রধান উপদেষ্টা ড. মুহাম্মদ ইউনূসের সঙ্গে বৈঠক করেছেন কানাডার প্রধানমন্ত্রী জাস্টিন ট্রুডো।

সংক্ষিপ্ত এ বৈঠকে বাংলাদেশ-কানাডা সম্পর্ক আরও দূঢ় করার উপায়, জনসাধারণের স্বাধীনতা আরও বিস্তৃত করা, প্রতিষ্ঠানিক সংস্কার এবং বাংলাদেশের তরুণ সমাজকে সহায়তা করার বিষয়ে আলোচনা হয়েছে। এ সময় ট্রুডো বাংলাদেশের প্রাতিষ্ঠানিক সংস্কারের ক্ষেত্রে সহযোগিতার আশ্বাস দেন।

আজ মঙ্গলবার জাতিসংঘের সাধারণ অধিবেশনের ফাঁকে এই একান্ত বৈঠক অনুষ্ঠিত হয়।

এ সময় প্রধান উপদেষ্টা জুলাই অভ্যুত্থান চলাকালে ও এর পরে বাংলাদেশি শিক্ষার্থীদের আঁকা দেয়াল চিত্রের ছবি সম্বলিত 'দ্য আর্ট অব ট্রায়াম্ফ' শীর্ষক আর্টবুক জাস্টিন ট্রুডোকে উপহার দেন।

বৈঠকে অধ্যাপক ইউনূসের নেতৃত্বের প্রশংসা করেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী ট্রুডো।

এ সময় প্রধান উপদেষ্টা তুলে ধরেন পূর্ববর্তী সরকার দেশের প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোকে কীভাবে ধ্বংস করেছিল। তিনি বাংলাদেশের সঙ্গে কানাডার বন্ধুত্বপূর্ণ সম্পর্ক এবং অন্তর্বর্তী সরকারের প্রতি কানাডা সরকারের সমর্থনের জন্য প্রশংসা করেন।

এছাড়া, ড. ইউনূস বাংলাদেশের শিক্ষার্থীদের যেন আরও বেশি ভিসা দেওয়া হয়, সে বিষয়ে কানাডার প্রধানমন্ত্রীকে অনুরোধ করেন।​

 

[Saif]

Biden, Clinton rally behind Bangladesh interim govt head Yunus

US President Joe Biden met Tuesday with Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus on the margins of the UN's annual summit, in a show of support after an uprising toppled the country's autocratic government.

www.newagebd.net

Biden, Clinton rally behind Bangladesh interim govt head Yunus
Agence France-Presse. United Nations, United States 25 September, 2024, 04:15

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus greets former US President Bill Clinton during the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York City on September 24, 2024. | AFP Photo

US President Joe Biden met Tuesday with Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus on the margins of the UN's annual summit, in a show of support after an uprising toppled the country's autocratic government.

Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, later received high praise from former US president Bill Clinton, who hailed their 40-year-long friendship and the global impact of the Bangladeshi's pioneering microfinance loans.

The 84-year-old economist was appointed as the country's ‘chief advisor’ in August following the bloody, student-led movement that ousted premier Sheikh Hasina, who has since fled the country.

Biden offered ‘continued US support as Bangladesh implements its new reform agenda,’ a White House statement said.

The US-Bangladesh relationship ‘is rooted in shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties,’ it said.

According to a readout provided by Bangladeshi officials, Yunus briefed Biden on how the students ‘rose against the tyranny of the previous government and gave their lives to create this opportunity to rebuild Bangladesh,’ and said his interim government would need US help to rebuild the nation.

Yunus also presented Biden with a book featuring paintings made by the students.

Long friendship

Yunus was later invited to speak at the Clinton Global Initiative's annual meeting, where former president Clinton said ‘few people on this planet have done as much (as Yunus) to change the lives of ordinary people who would never have had access to credit.’

Their friendship dates back to the 1980s, when Clinton, then governor of Arkansas, invited Yunus to visit and share his approach to alleviating poverty through small loans, which had successfully empowered impoverished Bangladeshi women without access to traditional banking services.

‘You're the only old guy I know who was ever drafted for his eminent position by the young people of his country,’ Clinton quipped about Yunus's elevation to interim leader. ‘That's because he has succeeded in doing what we all must do: we all have to stay in the future business.’

Yunus, in turn, thanked Clinton for believing in him in his early days, and for standing by him despite criticism at the time for promoting a Bangladeshi economist's ideas in America.

He also paid tribute to Bangladeshi youthful revolutionaries, saying: ‘They are the ones creating the new version of Bangladesh -- let's wish them every success.’

Hasina's government was accused of widespread rights abuses, including the mass detention and extrajudicial killing of political rivals.

More than 450 people were killed in the weeks of violence leading up to her removal.

Since her departure for exile in neighboring India, cabinet ministers and other senior members of Hasina's party have been arrested, and her government's appointees have been purged from courts and the central bank.

Journalists seen as close to her regime have also been detained.

While the United States had generally maintained a cooperative relationship with Hasina, an ally of India and a partner on issues like combating Islamist extremism, Washington had criticized her government's democratic backsliding.​

 

[Saif]

Prof Yunus-Biden meeting to help take Dhaka-Washington ties to new level: Press Secretary

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is holding a meeting with US President Joe Biden (Tuesday morning NY Time) which is seen as a “rare occasion” and will help take the existing good relations to a new level between the two countries. “This is an important day. It is very rare (to

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Prof Yunus-Biden meeting to help take Dhaka-Washington ties to new level: Press Secretary
Published :
Sep 24, 2024 21:15
Updated :
Sep 24, 2024 21:15

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is holding a meeting with US President Joe Biden (Tuesday morning NY Time) which is seen as a “rare occasion” and will help take the existing good relations to a new level between the two countries.

“This is an important day. It is very rare (to see such a meeting) at the UNGA. We expect it will be a very fruitful meeting,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said ahead of the meeting that began at 11am (NY time).

Alam said Bangladesh maintains very good relations with the US and with this meeting, the relationship will reach a new level, reports UNB.

He said economic cooperation, democratic transition, and Bangladesh’s reform issues are likely to be discussed in the meeting.

“It’s good news that the US stands beside Bangladesh in this period of transition,” he added.

Bangladesh and the US are working on a number of issues closely, including labour sector reforms and Rohingya issues.

The scheduled meeting with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the UNGA reflects growing relations between the two countries, Bangladesh said.

This is going to be a one-to-one meeting, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB, confirming the meeting in New York.

It is very significant as no US president has held a bilateral meeting with any Bangladesh head of government in the past decades in New York, the official added.

The meeting is likely to last at least 15 minutes.

It is not usual for a US President to hold bilateral meetings during the UNGA and Dhaka hopes to see a new strategic partnership emerge out of this meeting that will strengthen the ties with the US on all fronts.

Biden is visiting New York City to participate in the 79th session of the UNGA.

In addition to addressing the General Assembly on September 24, President Biden will meet with world leaders to discuss cooperation in tackling threats to international peace and security, advancing global prosperity, and protecting human rights, said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on President Biden’s travel to New York City.

The US has already affirmed their dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh.

As Bangladesh looks to chart a more equitable and inclusive future, the US said it stands ready to support those efforts.

This is Prof Yunus’ first visit to the United States as head of the Bangladesh government to attend the 79th UNGA and also first visit abroad since the formation of the interim government on August 8.​

 

[Saif]

Help build a new Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has sought support from foreign friends for Bangladesh’s new journey towards a happy and prosperous future.

www.thedailystar.net

Help build a new Bangladesh
Yunus urges foreign friends at UN to support country’s new journey

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus introduces Mahfuj Alam and Aysha Siddique Tithi, coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, to the audience at an event of the Clinton Global Initiative at New York’s Hilton hotel on Tuesday. Former US president Bill Clinton is seen applauding. Photo: PID

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has sought support from foreign friends for Bangladesh's new journey towards a happy and prosperous future.

"Our job is to clean it up and reform it. We need to make a good start. We need the support from all of you to make that happen," he said while addressing a reception on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters on Tuesday evening (New York time), reports UNB.

He said the interim government does not want to miss the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh.

Around 200 representatives of countries and territories attending the UNGA was at the event hosted by Bangladesh marking the 50th anniversary of the country's UN membership.

Prof Yunus and renowned photographer Shahidul Alam jointly unveiled two books that depict events of the student-led mass uprising, which led to the fall of Awami League regime after 15 years in power.

Recalling the sacrifices made by the students and people during the uprising, Prof Yunus said the people are united today. "We don't want to disappoint them."

He said the students invited him to lead the interim government until the elections are held following reforms. "It is a very significant year for us …"

At an event of the Clinton Global Initiative 2024, Prof Yunus shared the stage with former US president Bill Clinton where he introduced two young people, including his special assistant Mahfuj Alam, and lauded their role during the uprising.

With Clinton standing beside him, Prof Yunus said, "It is amazing…the way they speak, the language I have never heard. They speak about the world, they speak about the country, they want to build themselves, and they are ready to make that happen.

"So, please help them, support them. So that their dreams come true. And, this is a responsibility we take together. And, you will be with us," he said holding Clinton's hand.

As the two young people went on the stage, Prof Yunus said they shook the entire country with their speeches and their commitment. "They said 'you can kill us, but we are not giving up'."

When they speak and the language they use inspire young people across the world, he said, adding, "Let's give them a big applause. They are the ones creating the new version of Bangladesh. Let's wish them all success."

Pointing at Mahfuj Alam, Yunus said this young man is known to be the brain behind the uprising even though he repeatedly denies it and says there were many others with him.

The Nobel laureate said the young people should lead the way as the old are becoming old-fashioned.

Clinton said, "A few people on this planet have done as much to change the lives of ordinary people who would never have had access to credit.

"You're the only old guy I know who was ever drafted for this eminent position by the young people of a country," he said.

"That's because he has succeeded in doing what we all must do: we all have to stay in the future business."

Yunus, in turn, thanked Clinton for believing in him in his early days, and for standing by him despite criticism at the time for promoting a Bangladeshi economist's ideas in America.

Their friendship dates back to the 1980s, when Clinton, then governor of Arkansas, invited Yunus to visit and share his approach to alleviating poverty through small loans.

Stating that he was very proud of Prof Yunus and grateful for his leadership, the former US president said all should wish Bangladesh well and do what they can to support them.

The press wing of the Chief Adviser's Office said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke of opening "a new page" on Dhaka-Rome relationship.

She made the remarks when she met Prof Yunus in New York on Tuesday.

Meloni said Italy would support the Yunus-led interim government to carry out vital reforms in key sectors.

"You can count on us…let's try to open a new page in our relationship," she added.

Prof Yunus urged Meloni to formalise migration from Bangladesh, paving the way for the entry of more Bangladeshis in Italy through legal channels and cutting risky illegal migration.

Meloni agreed, saying both nations should work together to stop illegal migration and conduct training for people planning to work in Italy.​

 

[Saif]

ড. ইউনূস পেয়ে আমেরিকানদের ভিতরে আনন্দ আর বাঁধভাঙ্গা উচ্ছ্বাস​

 

[PakistanProud]

Biden offers full US support to Yunus-led govt

View attachment 8809

US President Joe Biden has offered his country's full support to Bangladesh's interim government during his rare bilateral meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.

They met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last night, signalling a new beginning of the relationship that was strained over the last couple of years.

Nobel laureate Yunus apprised Biden how students stood up to the tyranny of the previous government and laid down their lives to create this opportunity to rebuild Bangladesh, according to a statement from the chief adviser's press wing.

He stressed that his government must succeed in rebuilding the country and would need US cooperation.

"President Biden said if the students could make so much sacrifice for their country, they too should do more," the statement said.

Prof Yunus handed a copy of "The Art of Triumph", a book on graffiti drawn by the student protesters and young pupils during the mass uprising, to President Biden.

"This is a rare meeting at the UNGA. It's good news that the US stands beside Bangladesh in this period of transition," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told UNB.

He said Bangladesh maintains fine relations with the US, and this meeting will take the ties to a new level.

Diplomatic sources told The Daily Star the US president usually goes to the UNGA for a short time and holding any bilateral meetings with the head of Bangladesh government in New York is rare. This meeting signals Washington's deep interest in engaging with Dhaka.

In fact, they said, the US has been trying to deepen the engagement with Bangladesh over the last few years, but it was not going very well.

The US suspended the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facility for Bangladesh in the aftermath of the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse, citing poor labour conditions.

In 2021, it imposed sanctions on Rab and seven of its top officials over human rights violations and in May last year announced visa restrictions for those undermining democratic elections.

After the January elections, Washington said the polls were neither free, fair or participatory.

Under the current interim administration, a six-member US delegation, led by Treasury Department's Assistant Secretary Brent Nieman, visited Dhaka mid-September. It expressed the US's commitment to support Prof Yunus' reform agenda, and eagerness to offer technical and financial assistance for reforms.

When the interim government has taken up major reform initiatives in the changed political landscape, Washington is showing increasing interest in Bangladesh.

Analysts said Bangladesh's main challenge now is boosting trade and economy, and Washington has the capacity to support Dhaka to that end.

For example, US can provide GSP facility through a presidential decree, which can help increase Bangladesh's export to the US by $4-$5 billion.

Bangladesh's export to the US now is nearly $8 billion a year.

M Humayun Kabir, a former Bangladesh ambassador to the US, said the US can make investment through the US International Development Finance Corporation, support the reform process, bring back laundered money etc.

Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, a senior research fellow at the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance at North South University, said the US can also help security reforms that can eventually lead to withdrawal of sanctions against Rab.

Besides, with better political understanding, Bangladesh may reap greater economic benefits and have access to new avenues for much-needed external funds through multilateral lenders like the World Bank, the IMF or the ADB.

YUNUS MEETS TRUDEAU

Yunus also met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in New York and discussed ways to cement the Bangladesh-Canada relationship, deepen freedom, build institutions, and support the youth of Bangladesh.

During the brief meeting, he handed "The Art of Triumph" to the Canadian prime minister.

Trudeau appreciated Yunus for assuming the responsibility and expressed Canada's readiness to support institution-building in Bangladesh, according to a statement from the Chief Adviser's Office.

Yunus appreciated Canada for its friendship with Bangladesh and the Canadian government's support for the interim government.

He requested Canada to grant more visas to Bangladeshi students.

Yunus reached New York on Monday night and started his UNGA visit with a reception hosted by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

He met prominent world leaders at the reception. He also joined the inaugural session of the UNGA.

This is Prof Yunus' first foreign visit as head of the interim government to attend the 79th UNGA.

The chief adviser will address the General Debate of the UNGA on September 27.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Principal Coordinator (SDGs Affairs) Lamiya Morshed, and Additional Foreign Secretary Riaz Hamidullah, among others, are accompanying the chief adviser.

Yunus will also attend a high-level side event on the Rohingya crisis and another one titled 'Meet the Friends of Bangladesh'.

He will host a reception on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's membership of the United Nations.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to pay the chief adviser a call.​

He (Biden) did a similar 'hand over back hug' to our then PM, Nawaz Sharif, during our war on terror era when he was the vice-president. I found it condescending. How do you consider it to be? @Bilal9 @Vikings @Saif

 

[Saif]

Yunus urges countries to engage with 'new Bangladesh'

Highlighting the context of the anti-discrimination student movement and the changes it brought to Bangladesh, Prof Yunus said the "power of the ordinary people", in particular the youth, presented to the nation an opportunity to overhaul many of the systems and institutions

www.thedailystar.net

Yunus urges countries to engage with 'new Bangladesh'

Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh addresses the 79th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, US, September 27, 2024. Photo: Reuters/Mike Segar

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today called upon the international community to engage with "new Bangladesh" anew that aims to realise freedom and democracy.

"Our people, particularly the youth, gained us independence from an autocratic and undemocratic regime with their exceptional resolve and capability. That collective resolve should define Bangladesh of the future and place our nation as a responsive and responsible state in the comity of nations," he said while addressing the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York.

Highlighting the context of the anti-discrimination student movement and the changes it brought to Bangladesh, Prof Yunus said the "power of the ordinary people", in particular the youth, presented to the nation an opportunity to overhaul many of the systems and institutions.

The uprising led by the students and youth was initially aimed at ending discrimination. Progressively, the movement evolved into a people's movement. The world eventually saw how people-at-large stood against autocracy, oppression, discrimination, injustice and corruption, both on the streets and online, he said.

The people's movement left an estimated over 800 martyrs in the hands of the autocratic regime, he added.

Prof Yunus said Bangladesh was born because of her people's profound belief in liberalism, pluralism, and secularism.

"Decades later, our 'Generation Z' is making us re-visit and re-imagine the very values that our people Bangladesh stood for back in 1971. As our people also did in 1952, to defend our mother language, Bangla," he added.

"We were moved by the wisdom, courage and conviction our youth showed," added the chief adviser.

"We believe, the 'monsoon revolution' that the world witnessed in Bangladesh in the span of few weeks, may inspire many across communities and countries, to stand for freedom and justice," he said.​

 

[Saif]

US to help Bangladesh get back billions of dollars siphoned abroad

Blinken assures Yunus

www.thedailystar.net

US to help Bangladesh get back billions of dollars siphoned abroad
Blinken assures Yunus

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Bangladeshi Chief Adviser and Head of the Interim Government Muhammad Yunus on September 26, 2024, in New York. Photo: Reuters/Bryan R Smith

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured US support to get back the billions of dollars stolen from Bangladesh and siphoned abroad by individuals linked with the previous regime.

He said this while holding a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at a hotel in New York.

Yunus said fighting corruption and improving law and order were the top priority of the government, according to chief adviser's press wing.

"The previous regime sank the country into an ocean of corruption. This [fighting corruption] is my number one issue," Yunus said.

He sought US support to get back the billions of dollars stolen from the country and siphoned abroad by individuals linked with the previous regime.

"It is a huge amount of money. Unbelievable!," he said, referring to the laundered assets.

Blinken offered the US government's support in this regard. "We are happy to help," he said. "We have a lot of expertise in dealing with endemic corruption," he added.

Blinken said the US wants to be good partners and it will make things work fast for Bangladesh. He added that the US has "tremendous" respect for Prof Yunus and they admired that he took up the leadership of the country at a critical time for the nation.

The chief adviser said improving labour standards was one of the government's top goals, as this would pave the way for more foreign direct investment in the country.

Blinken said the US is the largest source of foreign investment in Bangladesh and hoped it would grow in the coming years.

They also discussed the UN fact-finding mission investigating atrocities during the July-August uprising and media freedom.

Prof Yunus said his government has upheld freedom of speech and freedom of the of the press. He said he has asked the media to criticise them "as best as they can.".

The chief adviser said the government is committed to maintaining racial harmony in the country. "All of Bangladesh is a big family. We have differences. But we are not enemies," he said.

The two leaders also discussed the Rohingya crisis, with the chief adviser seeking support for hundreds of thousands of young Rohingya children growing up in the camps in Bangladesh.​