As Dhaka plunges into chaos after Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as Prime Minister, the United States has said that it stands with the people of Bangladesh and welcomes the announcement of an interim government.
“We have seen the announcement that Prime Minister Hasina resigned from her position and departed Bangladesh. We are monitoring the situation carefully. The United States stands with the people of Bangladesh. We urge all parties to refrain from further violence. We welcome the announcement of an interim government and urge any transition be conducted in accordance with Bangladesh’s laws,” US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press briefing.
Miller said Washington was deeply saddened about the reports of human rights abuses, casualties, and injuries over the weekend and past weeks. “We share our deepest condolences with those who lost loved ones and those who are suffering.” He said that all decisions regarding the interim government should be made with respect to democratic principles, the rule of law, and the will of the Bangladeshi people.
On reports of atrocities against minorities and the general populace in Bangladesh, the department spokesperson said that Washington is calling for an end to the violence and accountability.
“Now, as to what accountability looks like, that’s something that should take place under Bangladeshi law. Obviously, anyone responsible for acts of violence, acts that break the law, should be held accountable for them.”
However, the Truth is something else
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made serious allegations about a plot to establish a “Christian state like East Timor” using parts of Bangladesh and Myanmar, and an offer by a “white-skinned man” to help her return to power if she allowed a foreign nation to build an airbase there.
India shares its borders with Bangladesh and the neighbouring country is of strategic importance to it.
With this notorious agenda, they have secretly joined hands with the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) and several regional insurgency groups, including Paresh Baruah, the kingpin of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina disclosed this when she told leaders of the 14-party alliance that a plot is on to carve out “a Christian state like East Timor,” taking parts from Bangladesh and Myanmar. She refrained from mentioning the name of India.
She also said a white man offered her a hassle-free reelection in the 7 January polls provided she allowed a foreign country to establish an air base in Bangladesh territory. Here again, the Bangladesh Prime Minister did not name the nationality of that “white man.”
Sheik Hasina mentioned that business activities have been going through the Bay and the Indian Ocean since ancient times. “Many have their eyes on this place. There is no controversy here, no conflict. I won’t let that happen. This is also one of my crimes [in their eyes]”, she said.
About the proposal for the airbase, the premier said, “The offer came from a white man. It may appear that it is aimed at only one country, but it is not. I know where else they intend to go. There will be more trouble. But don’t worry about it. “If I allowed a certain country to build an airbase in Bangladesh, then I would have had no problem.”
Although the Prime Minister did not mention the name of the country that wants to establish an airbase in Bangladesh, it is well-assumed that the name of that country is the US. For many years, Washington has been eyeing St. Martin Island, a small island (area only 3 km2) in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal, about 9 km south of the tip of the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula, forming the southernmost part of the country.
Earlier, in June 2023, there was a rumor in Dhaka stating Washington was demanding St. Martin Island in exchange for the favor of the ruling Awami League government. Later, during a press conference, Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US Department of State, asserted that the United States has never engaged in any discussions regarding taking control of St Martin’s Island or has any intention to do so.
