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Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has declined to comment on the US travel ban on Bangladesh’s former army chief General Aziz Ahmed.
In response to a question at a 'Meet the Reporters' event at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday, he said, "Look, it is an army matter, since it is a military issue. I don't want to say anything about the army at the moment. As a former army chief, it is an army matter."
The US imposed sanctions on the former army chief on Monday for alleged involvement in corruption, reports bdnews24.com.
A statement published on the US State Department website said the ban would make Aziz and members of his family "generally inadmissible to the United States".
Aziz was the chief of army staff of Bangladesh for three years from June 2018 to June 2021. Before that, he led the Bangladesh Border Guard Force (BGB) for four years from 2012.
Referring to the announcement of sanctions against General Aziz, the foreign minister said to another question, "Our mission in the United States was informed ahead of time. That is, it was informed before it was made public.”
“So, we believe we are engaging with the United States. We are working together with them against corruption, terrorism, and in other aspects internationally, such as human trafficking. We want to work together with the United States against corruption and want to continue to do so.”
Before the 12th national elections, the US announced a new visa policy to ban those who obstruct democracy in Bangladesh from entering the country. The US later decided to enforce that policy on certain individuals.
Aziz and members of his immediate family cannot enter the United States as a result of the ban imposed under Section 7031(c) of the Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of the US Department of State.
Asked about the ban, the foreign minister said, “The visa policy that was announced is the 3-C visa policy under the US Immigration and Nationality Act. That was the visa policy.”
“And the visa restriction against General Aziz is under the Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. That means the restrictions were not imposed under the visa policy that was announced. He is subject to visa restrictions under other laws.”
He said, “Our government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against corruption. And, under the honourable prime minister, you have seen many Awami League MPs have gone to jail for corruption.”
“They have been in jail for quite some time. Action has also been taken against many in the ruling party. We are working closely with the United States to combat corruption and in other areas."
Asked about the decision coming a few days after US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu's visit, the foreign minister said, "He said we want to move the relationship forward by putting aside the issues that have created confusion. That was his statement. We also said we want to take the relationship forward.”
To a question regarding the visa policy restrictions, he said, "Actually, I do not know anyone who has had their visa denied under the current visa policy. The action taken against General Aziz is under another act.”
“Of course, if the visa policy is meant to apply to those who obstruct democracy, then those who are actually obstructing democracy by beating a policeman to death, attacking hospitals and attacking the residence of the chief justice, those who have burnt people to block democracy and stop the election, the policy should be enforced against them."