Commenting that Bangladeshis who came to the embassy for services have been subjected to various harassments in the past, Ambassador Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari said that he hopes that expatriate Bangladeshis who come to the embassy will be treated well from now on.
He mentioned the smart workforce of the officials assigned to the embassy and said, even if our remittance warriors cannot be welcomed with a rose when they come to the embassy, at least welcome them with a smile.
He said these things at a discussion and cultural program on behalf of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington on Tuesday (December 17) on the occasion of the great Victory Day.
Speaking as a special guest, Ambassador (Designate) Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari said, the 1971 Liberation War was not just a struggle for independence; it was a struggle to establish our identity, dignity and democratic values. Our victory was not given to us as a gift, but we had to earn it at the cost of millions of lives.
He further said, the successful revolution of July 2024 reminds us that the fight for freedom and democracy never ends. In 1971, we fought against external exploitation; on July 24, we fought against fascism.
He said, under the leadership of Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, our country is moving towards a bright future.
Recalling the long-standing relationship between the United States and Bangladesh, Mushfiq said, the recognition of the United States after our independence was an important chapter in history. Today, we reaffirm our joint commitment to democracy, freedom and peace. We pledge to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
Newly appointed Ambassador Asad Alam Siam, in his welcome speech, inaugurated the event by paying tribute to the spirit and sacrifice of the Liberation War.
He said, independent Bangladesh emerged through a long struggle and war. This time, the celebration of victory after the revolution of ‘24 has attained a different dimension. Ambassador Siam mentioned that the current government led by Professor Yunus is working to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh. He gratefully recalled the contribution of the United States to the development and democratic journey of Bangladesh.
In his speech as a special guest, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Nicole Chulik said that the United States supports all the reform efforts of the interim government in Bangladesh led by Nobel laureate Professor Yunus. She said that the sacrifice and struggle behind Bangladesh's victory are a unique example in the world. Stating that she wants to see Bangladesh in a democratic and prosperous Bangladesh, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State said that the United States is proud to be the largest partner in the development of Bangladesh.
She said that the United States stands by the current government of Bangladesh and we welcome the government's steps to establish democratic values, protect human rights and advance reform programs. Referring to Professor Yunus's fruitful meeting with President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the recent UN General Assembly, Nichol said that the cooperative relationship between the two countries will be further strengthened in the coming days to protect the common interests of the two countries.
The event was attended by Monica Jacobsen, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Ambassador William B. Mylam, and the Director of the US National Security Council, among others.