US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake Sunday said war crimes issue should not be politicised and no action be taken that would be considered by the people of Bangladesh as a mechanism to weaken democracy and undermine progress the country already achieved, reports UNB.

"The United States strongly believes in accountability. During my discussions with friends in the government, we urged not to make it (war crimes) a politicized issue," he told a press conference at the American Club on the outcome of his meetings with the leaders from the government, opposition, business and civil society.

Blake, who came here for the first time after being appointed as US Assistant Secretary for the region, said Bangladesh just has had freest, fairest and transparent election, and democracy was being strengthened. "It is important that no action be taken that would be considered as a mechanism to weaken democracy and undermine progress the country has achieved. It is a fine line and a fine balance that the government has to follow in this regard."

Blake, who is here on a two-day visit, offered US cooperation in strengthening democracy, ensuring development, climate change and clean energy, and in countering terrorism so terrorist JMB and other transnational terrorist groups cannot use Bangladesh soil or operate from here against Bangladesh or other countries.

Asked about US cooperation in Bangladesh' maritime and land boundary security, Blake will not be specific about the nature of cooperation but said not only maritime and boundary security, the US wanted to cooperate in other areas like countering terrorism.

"We're satisfied with present level of cooperation and we will look for ways to improve the cooperation," he told a correspondent.

The State Department senior official appreciated Bangladesh's efforts to expand women literacy programme and reform madrasah education and upgrading its curriculum, which could be spread to other parts of the Arab world.

On the opposition's abstention from parliament, Blake said after fairest and transparent elections, Bangladesh faced new challenges. The Finance Minister's budget speech represented new beginning in many ways.

He said it was the new beginning for both the opposition and the government to work together. The US hoped the opposition would participate in parliament and work constructively with the government to explore the opportunities and address challenges.

On the deaths of BDR personnel in custody, Blake said the matter should be seriously investigated and persons responsible be brought to justice.