US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake arrived in Dhaka this afternoon on the second leg of his three nation tour to China, Bangladesh and Kazakhstan. Blake will meet the BNP Chairperson and leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia today and is expected to call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr.Dipu Moni on tomorrow. During his four-day visit to Bangladesh, he is scheduled to hold discussions with senior Bangladesh government officials and civil society leaders. Assistant Secretary Blake will also participate in a one-day Regional Strategic Initiative being organized by the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka. In addition to this Blake is also scheduled to go to Benapole where he will be briefed on immigration and trafficking issues. Blake’s visit to Bangladesh comes amidst concerns expressed by the American government over the issue of Nobel Laureate Prof Yunus being removed from the post of Managing Director of Grameen Bank.