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FBI agent arrives

To finalise terms of reference for probing Habiganj grenade attack

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
An FBI agent flew in Dhaka Wednesday evening, two days after the US ambassador had met with the prime minister in response to the government's request for FBI assistance in investigating the January 27 carnage in Habiganj.
The special agent of Federal Bureau of Investigation, Trung Vu, held talks with a number of government high officials yesterday.
But it is still uncertain whether the bureau will join in the probe into the grenade attack that left five people including Awami League lawmaker and former finance minister Shah
AMS Kibria killed and about 70 injured.
"Washington is actively considering Bangladesh government's request to assist in the probe but is yet to decide," said a diplomatic source. Vu has come to discuss with the Bangladesh government the terms and conditions of their possible involvement, he added.
"He will hold meetings with home ministry officials concerned to work out the terms of reference specifying the assistance requested for and the parameters of that assistance," said the source.
Whether FBI would assist Dhaka
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depends on the outcome of the meetings, he said, adding, "Washington will take the final decision in this regard."
Vu will also study the situation, which and how many experts are needed to come to Bangladesh, in case Washington finally agrees to involve FBI in the probe, the source said.
The details of Vu's meetings with government officials have been kept secret. What could be gathered was that he met some home ministry officials, and the police and intelligence officialsinvolved in the probe.
Dhaka formally requested for FBI assistance on January 29. The next day US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca called Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan and said it was important that the US receives clear terms of reference for the assistance.
Rocca said the terms should include full access to all evidence and witnesses to make the FBI enquiry effective.
On Sunday, a highly placed home ministry source had told The Daily Star the government has no objection to
providing FBI with full access to evidence and witnesses and is awaiting Washington's response.
The prime minister on Monday also assured that all co-operation would be given to the US government if it goes for assisting in the investigation.
Another FBI agent, Gibson Wilson, came to Bangladesh last year to help probe the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally. He visited the scene of the carnage and examined the evidence. But no details about that investigation was made public.
Findings of another FBI probe into the recovery of a 76-kilogram bomb on July 20, 2000 from a meeting ground at Kotalipara in Gopalganj ahead of a scheduled meeting of the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina also could not be known.
FBI is responsible for the protection of the US and its citizens from any terrorist attack. Investigation of violations of federal criminal laws, and providing guidance and law enforcement assistance to federal, state, local and international agencies are also amongit tasks.