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Khaleda for peaceful solution to Iraq crisis

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA March 3. Bangladesh has told the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Christina Rocca, that the country wants a peaceful resolution to the Iraq crisis, and also under the U.N. umbrella.

The Government's position was communicated to the visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State by the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, and the Foreign Minister, Morshed Khan, officials here said.

Ms. Khaleda Zia explained to Ms. Rocca that whether it is Iraq, North Korea or Israel, Bangladesh is against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Iraq must comply with the U.N. resolution 1441 and other violators like Israel should also be pressured to comply with U.N. resolutions.

"It is also important to find a just solution to establish an independent Palestine at the earliest,'' the Prime Minister said. Ms. Rocca's visit to Dhaka is being considered significant against the backdrop of a growing anti-war campaign against the possible U.S.-led war on Iraq. Her visit is for winning support from South Asian countries to the Bush-Blair position, diplomatic experts say.

Besides meeting the Prime Minister, Ms. Rocca made a courtesy call on the leader of the Opposition and former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. There was no official confirmation whether the U.S. official sought any support from Dhaka. However the U.S. ambassador, Mary Ann Peters, said earlier that the U.S. would seek Dhaka's "moral support" in the event of a war.

Mr. Morshed Khan said, "She did not seek any support from Dhaka on Iraq issue.'' Earlier on Saturday, Bangladesh and the U.S. signed a scientific and technological cooperation agreement to exchange personnel and information and technology under the deal and collaborate on subjects of "mutual interests''.

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