Clinton-Hasina talks to focus on energy sector

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA, OCT. 14. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina Wajed, will visit the U.S. from October 16 to 18 at the invitation of the U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton. She is the first Bangladesh Head of Government to visit that country. Dhaka sees the visit, following Mr. Clinton's trip to Bangladesh in March, as a historic one and also an opportunity to broaden relations. Bilateral, regional and global issues would figure in the talks. Agreements bolstering economic and bilateral ties are expected to be signed.

An official in the U.S. Department of Energy, Mr. Calvin Humphrey, has told mediamen here that ``This (the invitation) reflects the level and depth of friendship between U.S. and Bangladesh.'' The official ``settled up some remaining snags'' for unhindered U.S. investments in the energy sector.

Diplomatic sources here said that the Clinton-Hasina meeting would give the final shape to their discussions in Dhaka in March 20 focussing on several issues, more precisely, Bangladesh's energy assets, which are of considerable interest to the U.S. and Western oil companies. Sheikh Hasina expects that the U.S. would accelerate the opening of its market to Bangladesh readymade garments, the main export earning sector.

Sheikh Hasina and Mr. Clinton will hold a summit meeting at the White House. She will also meet the U.S. Secretary of State, Ms. Madeleine Albright, visit Pentagon and also meet the members of the Press Club.

Dhaka also hopes to make some progress in the extradition of the convicted killers of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the U.S. She is also scheduled to meet the U.S. Attorney General, Ms. Janet Reno. A luncheon will also be given in Sheikh Hasina's honour.

According to local newspaper reports, the U.S. is ``pressing'' Bangladesh to take decisions on a number of issues including that relating to the export of gas to India, before the visit to Washington. However, the stand on gas export would be communicated to the U.S. during the summit meeting, sources said. Mr. Humphrey, however, denied putting ``pressure'' on Bangladesh saying they were in fact assisting Bangladesh ``to take the right decision''.

It appears that quota and GSP facilities to Bangladesh would largely depend on the Dhaka's decision on allowing trade union rights in the export processing zones. The U.S. is insisting on the right of workers to organise unions in the EPZs.

The debt relief to be sought would be around $700 millions extended under PL-480. The U.S. is interested in increasing its investment in oil and gas sector of Bangladesh. But much would depend on Bangladesh's decision on gas export. Sheikh Hasina government is unlikely to agree to any proposal involving India before the next general election lest it should become a handle for the Opposition to beat it with.

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Section  : International
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