Expatriate journalist Chhabed Sathee and US Congressman Gregory W. Meeks
Staff Reporter: Expatriate Bangladeshi journalist Tonak Naral, the US Congressman, made a controversial statement regarding the imposition of US sanctions on Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). After receiving a written letter from a US expatriate journalist with questions, US Congressman Gregory W. Meeks explained the US imposition of sanctions on Bangladesh and Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
At a luncheon at a Queens restaurant in New York last Monday (January 31), expatriate journalist and editor of the US media Bangla Press Chhabed Sathee sent a letter to Congressman Gregory W. Meeks asked for an accurate explanation of US sanctions on Bangladesh in a text message on Facebook on last Thursday night (January 3). The next day, after receiving the letter, he gave a clear explanation of his statement in a statement published on the website of the US House of Foreign Affairs Committee.
Journalist Chhabed Sathee wrote in a letter to the Congressman-
Dear Congressman Gregory Meeks,
The statement you made at a luncheon in Queens, NY last Monday (January 31) regarding the US sanctions on Bangladesh seems to have been misinformed by most of the newspapers in Bangladesh. We are curious to know what you actually said about the ban on Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Here is how your statement was published in the embassies and newspapers in Washington: Would you like to know if it is correct?
In a statement issued on Friday (February 4), Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement concerning the designation of the Rapid Action Batallion:
“I believe sanctions can be most useful when they are targeted and don’t believe wholesale sanctions on Bangladesh are currently warranted. However, I strongly support the Biden Administration’s designation of the Rapid Action Battalion and several of its current and former members under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights and Accountability Act for human rights violations. I continue to support the strengthening of the US-Bangladesh relationship and look forward to working to help address human rights and democracy challenges in the country, including ensuring that the country’s next elections are free and fair.”
Earlier on Monday (January 31) at a luncheon in Queens, New York, the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington sent a press release to various newspapers, distorting the statement made by Congressman Gregory W. Meeks regarding US sanctions on Bangladesh. No representative of the Bangladesh Embassy in the United States and the Bangladesh Mission was present at the luncheon. It is learned that the press release was sent to various newspapers with the connivance of some leaders and activists of the United States Awami League and some local journalists, influencing the officials of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington.
On the morning of February 2, Bangla Press sent a letter to AZM Sajjad Hossain, Press Minister of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington. Many people have raised questions about the veracity of the press release / news item titled ‘United States does not want to impose any sanctions against Bangladesh’ sent by you on the night of 31st January. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. Many have also questioned the veracity of Congressman Meeks news. At the event, Congressman Meeks did not say much about US sanctions, but in a press release, the United States did not want to impose sanctions on Bangladesh. We want to make sure that we do not impose any sanctions against Bangladesh. It has been mentioned that we are still working with the government and people of Bangladesh. Do you have any videos in support of this report? You will be obliged to give details in this regard. The embassy authorities have not responded to the letter in the last three days.
Expatriate journalist Chhabed Sathee and US Congressman Gregory W. Meeks
Morshed Alam, a former joint general secretary and community leader of the Awami League and one of the organizers of the event, was also asked to send a text message on February 2 to verify the veracity of Congressman Meeks statement. But no one including Morshed Alam gave the correct answer.
BP/SM
