US Dismisses Russian Claims of Election Meddling in Bangladesh as “Deliberate Mischaracterisation”
Last Updated on November 25, 2023 12:19 pm
Washington, D.C. – November 25, 2023
The United States has strongly rejected claims made by the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding alleged interference in Bangladesh’s national elections. The dispute centers around accusations that US envoy Peter Haas, stationed in Dhaka, was purportedly assisting the opposition’s antigovernment campaign.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, during a weekly media briefing on November 22, asserted that Ambassador Haas had engaged in discussions with opposition leaders in October, allegedly orchestrating plans for antigovernment rallies. Zakharova went on to criticize the meetings as a violation of the Vienna Convention and accused the United States of meddling in Bangladesh’s internal affairs.
In response, the US State Department condemned Zakharova’s statements as a “deliberate mischaracterisation” of US foreign policy. A spokesperson for the State Department clarified, “The United States does not support any political party in Bangladesh, nor does the United States favor one political party over another.”
The State Department reiterated its commitment to the principles of free, fair, and peaceful elections in Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of upholding the will of the people. The official statement highlighted that the engagement of US Embassy personnel with various stakeholders, including the government, opposition, and civil society, is aimed at encouraging cooperation for the benefit of the Bangladeshi people.
“We are aware of Zakharova’s deliberate mischaracterisation of US foreign policy and Ambassador Haas’s meetings,” the statement continued. “To support the shared goal of free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner, US Embassy personnel engage and will continue to engage with the government, opposition, civil society, and other stakeholders to urge them to work together for the benefit of the Bangladeshi people.”
As tensions rise over these allegations, both the United States and Russia are likely to face increased scrutiny over their respective roles in the internal affairs of Bangladesh, a nation currently gearing up for crucial national elections.