Dhaka to have no full-fledged US Ambassador for months

Dhaka may not have a full-fledged US ambassador for months after Peter Haas had his last day of office as ambassador on 22 July, diplomatic sources said.

Haas was scheduled to be replaced by David Mealy, nominated by the Biden administration.

But, sources concerned hinted that Mealy's joining might be deferred or even cancelled following President Joe Biden's decision to step down from the race for re-election.

It's a tumultuous situation in Washington and many such decisions like sending a new ambassador will remain suspended until a new President takes over early next year, the sources said.

According to them, the current deputy chief of the mission (DCM) of US embassy in Dhaka Helen Lafave will be the Charge de' Affaires until her successor Megan Bouldon takes over in a couple of months.

Megan Bouldon will be acting chief of US mission in Dhaka until a full-fledged ambassador takes over.

However, it may take if not a year, at least several or many months, the sources said.

After his tenure in Dhaka, Haas flew to USA on early 23 July.

There was no official or unofficial programme in the mission on his last day as the embassy was closed due to a nationwide curfew imposed following a volatile situation in the country.

The ambassador was given a farewell reception by the embassy officials last week.

He also took farewell receptions from other diplomatic entities in Dhaka and joined several private farewell parties for last two weeks, the sources said. 

Ambassador Peter Haas however did not have the opportunity to make any ceremonial farewell call on to the President or the Prime Minister.

Haas, much-discussed-about for his outspoken statements in line with President Biden and Secretary Blinken's foreign policy, hinted to his close circles in Dhaka that he would have a retired life once he returned to the US.

As his last bilateral affairs in Bangladesh, he attended a briefing session of the Foreign Ministry for diplomats in Dhaka on the current situation on 21 July.

He raised a number of questions in the briefing session, sources concerned said.

As part of public diplomacy of his last week in Dhaka, Haas was scheduled to join a talk show on a private television channel. The recording however was cancelled at the last minute against the backdrop of the current situation in Dhaka.