S M Mizanur Rahman :
The government will not allow ‘physical access’ to any foreign security personnel into Bangladesh in the name of investigation except sharing information in combating terrorism and extremism.
But it will assess needs in seeking cooperation from its friendly countries in a bid to fight against terrorism and extremism, according to Diplomatic and Home Ministry sources.
In the wake of the terror attack on a city restaurant on July 1, US Secretary of State John Kerry phoned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and offered her assistance from American law enforcement agencies, including FBI.
But the government made its stand clear that it would only share information in combating terrorism and extremism. It would not allow ‘physical access’ to any foreign security personnel into Bangladesh.
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal during her just
concluded two days visit to Dhaka offered expertise and technical supports to Bangladesh in its efforts to counter terrorism. She reiterated Washington’s pledge to stay beside the government of Bangladesh in its crucial juncture. After the meeting of Nisha Desai Biswal with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Foreign Secretary Mohammad Shahidul Haque told journalists, “We are positive to accept supports from the willing countries but the question is to find out the modalities.” Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, after the meeting with Nisha Desai Biswal, said that the US assured Bangladesh of complete support in combating terrorism but Bangladesh is yet to seek help or support from them. “We will assess what help we need. Then we will let them know,” he told journalists in response to a query on whether Bangladesh sought help from the US in fighting terrorism. Condemning the Dhaka café attack, the global leaders in their statements over the last 12 days have reaffirmed that they would continue to help Bangladesh root out militancy and extremism as these elements are undermining the country’s development drives.
US President Barack Obama in a statement said the US is always ready to assist Bangladesh for eradicating terrorism and militancy. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi phoned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and offered any type of help after the deadly terror attack.
Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang in a message to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina said China, as always, will firmly support the unremitting efforts by the Bangladesh government and people to maintain national security, stability and combat terrorism.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also rang Hasina and pledged to be at Bangladesh’s side in the battle against terrorism. Besides, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Italian President Matteo Renzi, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and leaders of others countries expressed their support to Bangladesh in its fight against terrorism.
On July 1, 28 people, including nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian national and two policemen, were killed during the Gulshan café attack. The next morning, thirteen hostages were rescued alive in the army-led operation.
