In the wake of a fresh extension of US State Department's warning to American citizens of potential threats to US interests in Bangladesh, the government feels it has taken sufficient measures to contain any such threat.
"We have taken sufficient measures to protect the US embassy and American citizens in Bangladesh," State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar told The Daily Star yesterday. "We are reviewing law and order and monitoring internal security arrangements. I believe it’s (the threat) not a problem (forustocontainVheadded.
After the 9/11 terrorist attack on the US, the US State Department had been issuing travel alerts to American citizens from time to time and updating those. It had issued similar warnings about Bangladesh back in December last year and then renewed it in April and again in July.
The State Department Tuesday issued a fresh warning from Washington and posted it on the department's official website. It cautioned travelling US citizens of possible dangers in Bangladesh.
A home ministry source said the recent seizure of arms from Kuril -Badda have worried the US embassy because of its proximity to the embassy.
"The US government has
recently received information about several possible threats on US embassy in Dhaka and other US interests in Bangladesh," the warn-ingsaid.
"US citizens in Bangladesh should remain vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners, including but not limited to hotels, restaurants, shopping areas and places of worship. T hey also should avoid demonstrations and large crowds," it pointed out.
Citizens planning to travel to Bangladesh were advised to consult the department's consular information sheet for Bangladesh and register with the embassy in Dhaka.
The announcement is effective until March 9,2004.
An official of the US embassy in Dhaka told The Daily Star the announcement was prepared on the basis of a repor t sen t by th e embassy.
Asked whether it was linked to series of suicide bombings in Istanbul and other Muslim countries and attacks on Ahmadiyyas in Bangladesh, the official seeking anonymity refused to comment.
"The public announcement is part of a regular evaluation of security of US interests Worldwide and it was also circulated to some other countries," he said.
Asked if it would affect US investment in the country, he said it has nothing to do with investment. embassy in Dhaka and other US interests in Bangladesh," the warning said.
"US citizens in Bangladesh should remain vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners, including but not limited to hotels, restaurants, shopping areas and places of worship. They also should avoid demonstrations and large crowds," it pointed out.
Citizens planning to travel to Bangladesh were advised to consult the department's consular information sheet for Bangladesh and register with the embassy in Dhaka.
The announcement is effective until March 9, 2004.
An official of the US embassy in Dhaka told The Daily Star the announcement was prepared on the basis of a report sent by the embassy.
Asked whether it was linked to series of suicide bombings in Istanbul and other Muslim countries and attacks on Ahmadiyyas in Bangladesh, the official seeking anonymity refused to comment.
"The public announcement is part of a regular evaluation of security of US interests worldwide and it was also circulated to some other countries," he said.
Asked if it would affect US investment in the country, he said it has nothing to do with investment.
"It has been issued for public awareness and also to assist US citizens. US investors are free to invest in Bangladesh and the warning would not hamper US-Bangladesh trade," he added.
The State Department had also
issued similar warnings to US citizens in Kenya and Bolivia and travel warnings on 27 countries this year including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Nepal.
In July, the mission in Dhaka issued a warning of unconfirmed threats against US officials and 'terrorists who might target facilities where US citizens congregate'. However, Tuesday's warning mentioned neither threats nor terrorism.