Heritage Foundation Leadership for America

Location: The Heritage Foundation's Lehrman Auditorium

Bangladesh has made impressive social and economic advances over the last decade, and as the third largest Muslim country in the world, has been hailed for its tradition of moderate pluralism. Bangladesh has held three successful democratic elections in the last 15 years. Incidents of extremist violence over the last couple of years, however, have begun to tear at the fabric of its moderate, pluralistic society. Washington therefore views credible elections in Bangladesh next year as critical to securing a stable future for the country. Assistant Secretary Boucher visited Bangladesh in November and will share his thoughts on the path to a successful 2007 election and a prosperous future for Bangladesh.