US pays tribute to Bangladesh that overcomes adversity: Haas

United States Ambassador in Dhaka Peter Hass on Wednesday said his country pays tribute to a nation like Bangladesh that has overcome great adversity as the US had also emerged after a bloody war of independence.

“This year, as we (US and Bangladesh) celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations with Bangladesh, we pay tribute to another nation (Bangladesh) that emerged after a bloody war of independence,” he said.

The envoy made the remark while addressing at an event celebrating the US Independence Day at the American International School in the capital.

“We look forward to what the future will bring to Bangladesh - and what Bangladesh will bring to the future,” he said

The envoy said the US Independence Day is a day when Americans honour the sacrifices made by their veterans to keep democracy safe.

Noting that America’s founding fathers expressed their desire to build “a more perfect union”, the Ambassador said, “Neither of our nations (The US and Bangladesh) is perfect.”

Hass said that is a challenge that Americans face every day - “with humility and confidence - as we address weaknesses to our democracy”.

“Independence Day in America is also a day of fun, a day for getting together with friends and family. A day for barbeques, parades, and fireworks,” he said.

UNB adds: Law Minister Anisul Huq joined the celebration as the chief guest. He hoped that the bilateral relations with the USA will flourish in the coming days and will certainly contribute to socioeconomic development of the two nations.

Apart from government to government relations, the Law Minister highlighted the growing people to people and business to business connectivity between the two countries.

He said Bangladeshi diaspora across the USA act as an essential bridge between the two nations and there is growing number of students who are studying in the USA.

The US envoy said Independence Day in America is a day of red, white, and blue. “It’s a day of pride, patriotism, and a day when we remember that our nation emerged after a bloody war of independence; a day when we honor the sacrifices made by veterans to keep our democracy safe.”