The Awami League government is in dilemma over the issue of recognising Kosovo as the United States is trying to pursue Bangladesh for its recognition while Dhaka is focusing on strengthening its ties with Moscow in various areas including that of nuclear power plant.

Foreign ministry officials said that Washington had been trying to pursue Dhaka for its support to the Muslim majority nation of the Balkan since Kosovo, a breakaway Serbian republic, had declared its independence.

‘On the other hand, Russia, immediately after Kosovo’s independence, formally requested Bangladesh not to recognise the tiny Balkan nation,’ said an official.

James F Moriarty, the US ambassador in Dhaka, on Monday once again approached Bangladesh to persuade it to recognise the Muslim majority of Balkan republic when he called on the foreign minister, Dipu Moni at the latter’s office.

He told reporters that he had again referred to the issue of recognition for Kosovo and requested Bangladesh to quickly review the issue and move forward with it positively, if possible.

Moriarty said so far some 58 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Malaysia and Turkey, had recoginsed the tiny country.

‘Earlier, the (Bangladesh’s) response had been that they wanted to see the OIC countries recognise [Kosovo],’ said the top US diplomat.

The government, however, feels that it needs to take time for reviewing the situation with regard to Kosovo before recognising it.

Foreign minister, Dipu Moni told reporters that the issue was pending in the International Court of Justice upon the request of Serbia and the OIC as an organisation did not take any decision over the issue.

‘So we will take our decision taking into consideration the relevant developments as well as various aspects of the issue,’ she said.

‘This is a good time to move forward,’ said Moriarty who received an award from the US government for his role in framing the US policy for Balkan states.

The US began to press Bangladesh for its recognition to Kosovo when the country declared its independence in February 2008.

Kosovo, a tiny Muslim majority state in the former Yugoslavia, declared independence with supports from the United States and the European Union. Serbia and its close ally Russia refused to accept the independence, saying such a move by Kosovo was a violation of the UN resolution (No 1244).

Russia also threatened to use its veto power in the voting for Kosovo’s membership of the UN.

The proclamation of independence has not been recognised by the majority of UN countries which view Kosovo as a UN administered province of the republic of Serbia.

Upon the request of the Republic of Serbia, the UN General Assembly on October 8, 2008, adopted a resolution, asking the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion on the issue of Kosovo’s declaration of independence.