Hasina urges US to simplify visa procedures

She requested them not to harass the Bangladeshi citizens under its special registration programme, according to message received from Florida yesterday.

Hasina, also the Awami League president, made the request during meetings with US Senator John Kerry and member of Foreign Relations Committee Congressman LC Hastings in Florida on Thursday.

They exchanged views on national and international issues.

Hasina urged the US leaders to extend more cooperation in the development efforts of Bangladesh.

She specially requested them to reconsider the decision regarding the machine-readable passport for Bangladeshi citizens.

Hasina informed them about corruption and irregularities by the BNP-Jamaat government and repression on the opposition leaders and workers.

Senator Kerry and Congressman Hastings lauded the achievement in food autarky, education and economic growth during the previous Awami League regime.