New Ambassador Bernicat to work for stronger US-Bangladesh ties

US Ambassador Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat says she will work with everyone in the government to make the Dhaka-Washington ties even stronger.

“We have such a big and broad relation. I have a direct mandate to make it even stronger and I look forward to do so,” she said in her first appearance before press on Thursday.

She met Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque at the foreign ministry on Thursday, a day after presenting the credentials to President Md Abdul Hamid.

After emerging from the meeting she briefly spoke to waiting journalists.

“I am so thrilled to be here,” Bernicat said.

The meeting with the foreign secretary was “exceptionally warm” and “I look forward to working with him and with everyone in the government”.

“I am so proud that the US and Bangladesh are true partners in almost all sectors, including health, education and counterterrorism.”

She, however, did not take questions as she would meet the press shortly.

Bernicat arrived in Dhaka on Jan 25 amid ongoing BNP-sponsored blockade that began on Jan 5, marking the first anniversary of the 10th parliamentary poll that the BNP-led opposition had boycotted.

The US did not find the elections credible and called for fresh elections as soon as possible.

Bernicat during her Congress hearing for confirmation of the Bangladesh assignment had termed the elections “undeniably flawed”.

But after presenting her credentials at the Bangabhaban on Wednesday, in a statement she said she planned to promote a Bangladesh that was “secure and tolerant” and would help it to attain its goal of middle-income status.

The foreign secretary after the meeting on Thursday said she wished to work “closely” with the government.