Congressman Crowley and McDermott re-iterate their support for Bangladesh

USAnews: Akramul Qader, Ambassador of Bangladesh to USA and State Minister met  Joseph Crowley, Congressman (D-NY) and  Jim McDermott, (D-WA) on 17 February.Held at their respective offices, issues of mutual interests specially those affecting trade and commercial interests of Bangladesh came up during the meetings.Bangladesh Ambassador raised the issue of renewal of the  GSP (Generalized System of Preferences) facilities to Bangladesh and reintroduction of the NPTDA(New Partnership for Trade Development Act)2009 bill at the new Congress. While stressing on the rationale for its re-introduction, Ambassador Qader maintained that passage of the NPTDA bill would also convey a positive message about US commitment to the LDCs. Bangladesh Ambassador also expressed  satisfaction about recent introduction of a bill at the US Senate which aims to extending GSP facilities. He, however, expressed his concern about an amendment  proposed in the bill which will  have detrimental effect on the exports of some beneficiary countries in the US market.Ambassador Qader sought their support in this regard and they assured their readiness to help Bangladesh so that  no harmful step is taken in this regard.Bangladesh ambassador also briefed the Congressmen  about the present status of the initiative of the Bangladesh Government to bring the persons involved in the genocide in 1971 to justice. While mentioning about the campaign unleashed by a certain section linked with the alleged war criminals, he drew their attention to the fact that they are trying to vilify the present democratic government with the ulterior motive of saving them. He alerted the Congressmen that there was no scope for human right violations while bringing them to justice as the Government is committed to ensure a fair and transparent trial as per its election mandate. He assured that trial would be conducted in line with the international standard.Bangladesh Ambassador specially thanked Joseph Crowley, who is also the Co-Chair of the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus,  for his initiative to help Bangladesh receive funding under the MCC(Millennium Challenge Corporation). Ambassador Qader welcomed Congressman McDermott when he informed that he will be visiting Bangladesh sometime in April,2011.