BNP, government agree on no presence of IS

BNP yesterday said both it and the government had taken an identical stance over the fact that IS was nonexistent in Bangladesh, and suggested ministers to refrain from commenting against "foreign friends" which may affect bilateral ties.

Addressing a briefing at the party's Nayapaltan central office in the capital, BNP Spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon voiced concern over some ministers' recent remarks blaming the USA for the emergence of Islamic State.

"US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal is scheduled to arrive here with another top leader on December 12. Ahead of such an important visit, some ministers, especially the ones of information, civil aviation and food, are making various comments against the US," Ripon said.

He said, "There is no reason for us to debate over which country is behind the creation of IS. Our foreign policy is friendship towards all and malice towards none. So, if the government points its finger against the USA and blames them, it may affect our foreign policy.

"Our party believes that without having any clear knowledge, we should not make any comment against any country that may dent our friendly ties."

Mentioning that Bangladesh has some internal problems with the US as it is yet to restore GSP facilities, Ripon said "We have strong commercial ties with the US. So, we should not expose our enmity towards any country by making derogatory comments against it."

The BNP leader urged the government to concentrate on resolving the country's political and democratic problems instead of blaming foreign friends.

He alleged that the government, as part of its plot, was trying to brand BNP as a militant and terrorist party by taking statements under duress from some people after arresting them in connection with untoward incidents.

"We want to say that such efforts of the government will go in vain as the country's people and international community know it very well that BNP is a democratic party and it wants change of power only through votes, not any other way," he added.