‘Not acceptable’: Momen expresses frustration over sanctions in call with Blinken

Minister of Foreign Affairs AK Abdul Momen has called on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to inform Bangladesh before the US government decides on an issue related to it.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 16 Dec 2021, 04:09 AM
Updated : 16 Dec 2021, 11:30 AM

Blinken, for his part, encouraged Momen to come to Washington for talks next Spring.

Momen detailed his phone conversation with the US secretary of state on Wednesday to the media at the Foreign Service Academy Auditorium in Dhaka on Thursday.

The discussion came soon after the US, in a move that took Dhaka by surprise, imposed sanctions on seven top officials of the RAB, including its former chief Benazir Ahmed, in connection with "serious human rights abuse".

“I told him [Blinken] that the decision is not acceptable to the people of this country. It isn’t acceptable because our two countries have a ‘very trusted friendship’ that has lasted nearly 50 years.”

“I told him that Bangladesh engages in talks to resolve issues with other nations,” Momen said. “I told him that, naturally, we expect you to inform us before you make such a decision. We would prefer it to be done that way.

“In addition, I noted that the US was continuing a global anti-terror campaign. And, during that campaign, they sanction a disciplined agency like RAB. This agency is working on those same global initiatives and achieving its targets with the utmost competence. There hasn’t been a major terrorist incident in Bangladesh since the Holey Artisan attack because of their work. They are not corrupt. The people of Bangladesh rely on them because they are not corrupt.”

The foreign minister said he praised RAB’s work to Blinken. “Victims of any crime ask for RAB to be appointed to their case. If other forces are appointed, they say it will be best if RAB handles it. That is the kind of institution you have sanctioned, and our countrymen do not appreciate it.”

Though Momen criticised the decision, he said he did not call upon Blinken to lift the sanctions.

“I did not ask him to lift the sanctions during the call. He didn’t say anything in that regard either. He said we will discuss the matter and open a dialogue. We will discuss the issue in the Spring in Washington.”

The US secretary of state told Momen that the door was open to discussions with Bangladesh.

“He said that we will discuss the matter and their door is open to talks. I told him that he should bear in mind that the people the US is accusing protect human rights. The US claims they were responsible for people going missing. I said some 600,000 people go missing in your country. How many go missing here? Your police kill thousands of people a year. When our law enforcers do so, it’s referred to as an ‘extrajudicial killing’, but when it happens in your country, it’s a death ‘in the line of duty’.”

“I told him that, if any problem arises, we can open a dialogue,” Momen said. “He responded that I should call if there is any problem. He added that we will open talks quickly and try to resolve the situation. He is a very positive person, and I liked him very much.”

In response to a question regarding the sanctions, Momen said: “He [Blinken] told me the sanctions were largely due to the efforts of congressional lawmakers.”

Blinken said the US hopes to work with Bangladesh on issues promoting the environment, democracy, human rights and peace, Momen said.

“He said we will work on the climate issue and stressed democracy. I told him that we are a democratic country. I also emphasised human rights.”

Blinken also congratulated Momen on Bangladesh celebrating its 50th anniversary.