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Asked if US officials were contemplating sending additional aid Boucher replied, "We are continuing to consider the needs of Bangladesh and I am sure we will respond as appropriate."
According to Foreign Ministry sources the agree ment. to determine the areas of cooperation as per the need of the hour, will be signed on Sunday.
According to diplomatic sources the United States may send 11000 more troops in addition to the 7000 man Task Force. In the .second phase to facilitate relief and reiwbillta-Uon operations.
The troops will stay in international waters in the bay and as per agreement not more than 400 US troops will come ashore at a time to carry out relief operations, it is rell ably learnt.
Ine sources said that the US Task Force had been diverted to Bangladesh on its way back home from the Guff area while the troops who may come in the next phase would be sent from a Philippine base, raising the total number to. 18000. On the number of troop* the sources said, they were necessary for the security of the whole Task Force.
The agreement was necessary to provide customs faclU Ues and to ascertain the areas of relief activities, the sources added
The sources said that in the meantime the US assessment team Is continuing Its work on estimating the damages caused by the cyclone on April 29 and making a list of necessary assistance required for the reconstruction of the cyclone ravaged areas.
The sources said that the US joint relief team will work In medical, communications, relief distribution and immediate reconstruction areas In coordination with the Bangladesh Army.
In the long run Bangladesh may also seek further help from the US to carry out a hydrographic survey of our Bay. The source said thal at present there was no hydrographic survey of Bangladesh territorial waters and the country is lacking in manpower and expertise In making any survey of that kind.
The sources said that if necessary the United-State* would also send Peace Corps for the development of the country.
During the BNP regime in the late 70's the government wanted to seek help of American Peace Corps for construction purposes.
Now the government is again actively considering bringing the US Peace Corps, which Include experts in different technical disciplines.
Meanwhile the Joint relief Task Force sent by President Bush to assist the relief effort in the wake of the recent cyclone arrived at its assigned operational area on
Wednesday, according to US State Department deputy spokesman Richard Boucher.
The Task Force of seven amphibious ships and an oiler is equipped with 28 heli copters and a number of land Ing cruft, including aircushion Hovercraft. the deputy spokesman said.
The Hovercraft will be used to distribute relief supplies to areas covered by shallow water. he noted.
The focus of the US mill tary relief effort Is on supple menting the distribution of supplies which are already In the country.“ Boucher explained.
On May 12 advance elements of the Task Force arrived In Dhaka and on May 13 an airforce C-5 transport ar rived with five Blackhawk helicopters. crews, air traffic control teams. Sea Becs, and environmental preventive medicine specialists.
Asked if US officials were contemplating sending additional aid Boucher replied, "We are continuing to consider the needs of Bangladesh and I am sure we will respond as appropriate."