Diplomatic Correspondent
Foreign diplomats in Bangladesh on Tuesday favoured banning groups and outfits involved in terrorism during the current political standoff.
Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali while briefing another batch of foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka on the country's current political situation underscored Bangladesh's strong position against terrorism particularly Bangladesh Prime Minister's policy of zero tolerance to terrorism.
Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Heads of Mission from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt and Palestine were present at the briefing at the state guest house Padma in the afternoon.
The Ambassadors and Heads of Mission present in the briefing joined the Foreign Minister in condemning the acts of violence and terrorism, which according to them, are not acceptable in a democratic polity.
The Foreign Minister upheld government position regarding current political situation apart from drawing attention about ongoing violence and arson attacks allegedly carried out by BNP-Jamaat alliance, said a source close to the meeting.
Recent unfortunate developments of violence have been draining economic and social development, which will not congenial to strengthening democracy, the diplomats observed.
Echoing similar sentiment on the acts of terrorist activities by BNP-Jamaat alliance, the Foreign Minister underscored the importance of peaceful political programs and said that terrorism does not have a place in democracy.
The Foreign Minister lamented that marking the first anniversary of the Government's present tenure, the BNP-Jamaat alliance has embarked on a campaign of rampage and destruction of public and private property showing complete disregard for the lives of the citizens.
In this context Mahmood Ali referred to the mindless acts of violence particularly burning of innocent citizens by throwing home-made petrol bombs at public transports, he added.
Criticizing the current acts of violence carried out by the BNP-Jamaat alliance, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister commented that such behaviour cannot be described as democratic and called upon the BNP-Jamaat alliance to shun the path of destruction and mayhem.
Earlier on Sunday, the Foreign Minister briefed the Ambassadors from the European Union countries and the Head of Delegation of the European Union in Bangladesh on the current political situation.
He also briefed the Ambassadors of other European States-- Russia, Norway, the Holy See and Switzerland -- along similar lines on the same day separately.
The Foreign Minister briefed another group of diplomats on Monday, including the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and North Korea on Monday.
The briefing is part of the Foreign Minister's regular consultations with the Ambassadors and Heads of Mission based in Dhaka in the wake of present government's first anniversary.
In both the briefings, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary, Shahidul Haque were present.