2 US officials due on Feb 12
Two senior officials of US State Department will travel to four South Asian nations, including Bangladesh, to consult on a wide range of issues with government and civil society leaders.
According to a media note issued by the spokesperson of the US State Department yesterday, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Maria Otero and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O Blake will travel to the South Asian countries from February 12.
Of them, assistant secretary Blake will pay a three-day official visit to Bangladesh on February 14-16 to participate in a series of education and university events.
On February 14, Blake will attend the Edward M Kennedy Commemoration at Dhaka University, the spokesperson said.
This commemoration will bring together eminent members of Bangladeshi society along with State Department alumni and youth leaders to celebrate American-Bangladeshi friendship and the 40-year anniversary of Senator Kennedy's visit to Dhaka in 1972.
Blake will also meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and other senior government officials and representatives of civil society.
According to the sources in Dhaka, Blake is expected to meet Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia.
The media note said Blake will also travel to Chittagong, where he will attend events at the Independent University Bangladesh and Asian University for Women, and participate in a certificate of completion ceremony for madrasa students who have held English language scholarships.
Assistant secretary Blake will also visit a Grameen Bank borrower's group site.
As per the schedule, Under Secretary Maria Otero and Robert Blake together will travel to Colombo on February 12-14.
Later, Otero will travel New Delhi on February 14-15 while Nepal on February 15-16.
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