US President Donald Trump has assured Bangladesh of continuing its pressure on Myanmar to create necessary conditions for the safe and voluntary return of the Rohingyas to their homeland, reports UNB. Trump expressed his country's stance in a letter sent to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "The United States will continue to pressure Myanmar to create necessary conditions for the safe and voluntary return of the Rohingya people to their homeland," Trump said in the letter.

US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat handed over the letter to the Prime Minister during a courtesy call on her at her official residence Ganobhaban yesterday.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

In the letter, the US President said there is no question that those in Myanmar responsible for instigating this crisis must be held accountable.

PM's press secretary said Donald Trump also highly appreciated Sheikh Hasina for her humanitarian leadership in addressing the Rohingya crisis.

"The United States is deeply grateful to the government of Bangladesh for its generous humanitarian response to the

Rohingya crisis,” the US President said. Mentioning that hosting over 1 million Rohingyas is a tremendous burden, he said but the world knows Bangladesh’s actions have saved thousands of lives. “Your response is testament to the character and resiliency of the Bangladeshi people, forged in the hardships they endured in 1971,” Trump said in the letter.

As the largest humanitarian assistance donor in the world, the United States remains committed to supporting Bangladesh alongside their international partners, he said. “I hope Bangladesh continues to demonstrate the leadership that has resulted in recognition from around the world, particularly ahead of the challenging monsoon season.”

Ihsanul Karim said the Prime Minister thanked the US President for sending the letter.

Sheikh Hasina reiterated her call to the international community, including the USA, to continue mounting strong pressure on the Myanmar government to take back its nationals from Bangladesh. She mentioned that the government is developing an island named Bhashanchar to give temporary shelter to 100,000 Rohingyas.

The Prime Minister mentioned that the local people are suffering and the environment is being affected due to the entrance of huge Rohingyas into Cox’s Bazar.

The US Ambassador said the USAID has traditional programme for the assistance of the refugees across the globe and it is working in Cox’s Bazar under the UN system to mitigate the sufferings of the Rohingyas there.

She informed the Prime Minister that USAID President Mark Green and CEO of the Carter Center and former ambassador Marry Ann Peters will visit Bangladesh soon to see the plight of the Myanmar’s displaced people.

Bernicat highly appreciated women development

and empowerment in Bangladesh under the Prime Minister’s leadership.

She also congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her being honoured with the Global Women’s Leadership Award-2018.

The Prime Minister said Bangabandhu laid the foundation of women empowerment in Bangladesh as he had taken various initiatives for their development after the independence. PM’s Military Secretary Major General Mia Mohammad Zainul Abedin and PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan were present on the occasion.

(Published 2018/05/04 at 11:02 am)