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Counter-terrorism deal with America likely

Black mum on terrorist presence in Bangladesh

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Bangladesh and the United States are likely to sign a protocol on counter-terrorism collaboration soon after mulling details of cooperative proposals in the coming months in both Dhaka and Washington, J Cofer Black, the US State Department's coordinator for counter-terrorism, said after meeting government leaders yesterday.
Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan said Dhaka would consider any offer from the US in counterterror cooperation in future, but would accept offers only after assessing Bangladesh's requirements.
"I don't want to sign any protocol right now, but we might collaborate on counter-terror programmes ... (on which) there is work to be done in Washington on a particular project I have in mind," Black told a press briefing at the American Centre yesterday.
Earlier, at a meeting between Morshed and Black at the foreign ministry, Dhaka proposed a joint working group (JWG) for more effective counter-terrorist operations with the US, UNB news agency said quoting meeting sources.
But Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told The Daily Star last night that "Dhaka has never proposed for a joint working group."
Washington has such JWGs with New Delhi and Islamabad.
Formalising counter-terror structures and more exchanges of information will be required to strengthen collaboration between the countries, Black told reporters.
Morshed hinted at such a protocol, without specifications at a press conference, saying: "We already have many protocols, we will sign another." The foreign secretary also attended the conference. nothing will be excluded and all will be taken into consideration," said Morshed, adding Dhaka would consider what it needed and did not need during its assessment of the proposals.
He said they talked about various levels and areas of cooperation on counter-terrorism for which details would be worked out.
But Foreign Secretary Shamsher said further details for collaboration on capacity building of law enforcement agencies and a legal framework at variouslevels would be discussed later.
"We have many instruments in consideration at the moment."
Black said currently the US trained Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies under their Training Assistance Programme and would soon realise the memorandum of understanding signed in May to install Pisces (Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System).
Pisces is sophisticated computer software to document passengers travelling into and out of the country and check movement of suspected terrorists.
Referring to the hostage crisis in Russia that claimed over 350 lives, Black said: "We don't want to have that ever happen here, and that's where we can help Bangladesh."
"We would like to participate in the development of counter-terrorism to help them build their will and capacity to deal with terrorists," said Black.
But he skirted questions on the presence of any terrorist outfit in Bangladesh, saying: "I get comprehensive intelligence, which I can't share with you (the press)."
"Do not kid yourselves, America is very good at gathering intelligence and they have a very good understanding of whatis happening," Black said.
"We trust Bangladeshi security agencies to give you that information (on the presence of terrorists)."
Asked about an interview Black gave to an Indian magazine where he said the US would look closely at the potential of Bangladesh being used as a platform to launch terrorism internationally, Black said, "It is not a condition specific or unique to Bangladesh."
"We are looking at all countries," he said, adding Bangladesh's potential as a terrorist platform was also being looked at from that global threat of terrorism.
On his comments that he had received the Indian view of the presence of terrorist in Bangladesh, Black said, "The Indians have made some allegations and the Bangladeshi government has denied them."
Shamsher earlier said he told Black that "Bangladesh does not allow its territory to be used by terrorists, especially against neighbouring countries."
Black marked as a problem the lack of information on terrorists who carried out a number of bomb attacks for the past years and that nobody claimed responsibility for the attacks.
"This is a problem, because as a counter-terrorist expert I like to know my enemy; I like to know where they are and how they think," Black said, summing up his and several top intelligence agents' views.
Terming the situation of finding terrorists who kept up the spate of bomb attacks as challenging, he said: "You have to remember that we are dealing with clandestine groups that are hiding."
"You need sophisticated investigative skills and members to search out the groups, and we (US) are happy to provide them," Black said.
Shamsher said: "Black told us that the US can rely on Bangladesh as a reliable partner in the fight against global terrorism and further cooperation is necessary and he was willing to work with us on the matter."
RALLY BOMBING
Asked about his suggestions to the government about the August 21 grenade attacks on a rally of the main opposition Awami League, Black said he received assurances from government ministers and officials that they would heed to the US request of swiftly, aggressively and fairly arresting the perpetrators.
In his opening statement, Black had said, "There is a disturbing trend of accelerating political violence in Bangladesh."
"In the best tradition of moderate democracies, we urge all Bangladeshis to resolve their political differences peacefully andlawfully," he added.
Black also met State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar where they spoke of greater capacitybuilding forlaw enforcement agencies.
Black will depart early today for the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu.