US asks Bangladesh to compromise with Yunus
March 20th, 2011 - 3:46 pm ICT by IANS
Dhaka, March 20 (IANS) A top US official has asked Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to compromise on the removal of Muhammad Yunus from the Grameen Bank, saying his its micro credit system has helped many people.
“We hope this can be resolved mutually in an amicable way and a compromise will be found that will ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the Grameen Bank, because it has been an important institution for Bangladesh, particularly for ensuring empowerment of women,” Robert O. Blake, US assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, was quoted as saying by the New Age.
Blake, who arrived here Saturday afternoon on a four-day visit, said Bangladesh’s leader of opposition and former prime minister, Khaleda Zia, who he had met Saturday, agreed with him. Blake is also scheduled to meet Yunus and Hasina during the visit.
“The US has concerns about the way the matter (removal of Yunus) has been handled,” Blake said, adding that Grameen Bank and Nobel laureate Yunus were held in high esteem in America.
“Certainly, you have already seen the statements our government has made in this regard. In addition to this, a number of senators and congressmen have sent letters to Bangladesh expressing their concerns about the issue,” he said.
Yunus was removed through an order of the Bangladesh Bank - the country’s central bank - after the government’s requests to him to step down did not work.
Yunus, 70, denies having refused, but sought time to choose a successor to ensure a smooth transition.
He lost an appeal before the high court and the matter is pending before the Supreme Court.
Former World Bank president James D. Wolfensohn is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka “in what may be a final attempt to try and negotiate a settlement in the conflict between the government and Muhammad Yunus,” the daily said.
Wolfensohn was the World Bank chief between 1995 and 2005. He is also one of the founder-members of the Friends of Grameen, a body of several global personalities formed to support Yunus.
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- Dhaka court hears petition challenging Yunus' ouster - Mar 06, 2011
- Bangladesh apex court confirms Yunus removal from Grameen Bank (Second Lead) - Apr 05, 2011
- Apex court confirms Yunus removal from Grameen Bank (Lead) - Apr 05, 2011
- France takes up Yunus case with Bangladesh - Apr 25, 2011
- 'Charges against Muhammad Yunus politically motivated' - Feb 18, 2011
- French president supports Grameen's Yunus - Apr 06, 2011
- Bangladesh resents US remarks on Yunus' removal - Mar 13, 2011
- Mixed reactions to Yunus sacking - Mar 03, 2011
- Grameen Bank challenges government ownership claim - Feb 02, 2011
- Court rejects Muhammad Yunus's petition (Lead) - Mar 08, 2011
- Yunus's Grameen ouster verdict by Dhaka court Tuesday - Mar 07, 2011
- Bangladesh forms panel on Grameen Bank - May 16, 2012
- Bangladesh apex court dismisses Grameen, Yunus appeals - May 05, 2011
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