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Anti-terror Task Force

US to support regional effort

Says Boucher, meets PM today

Staff Correspondent
The US will give support to the proposed anti-terrorism South Asian task force to prevent militancy and terrorism in the region, visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard A Boucher said yesterday.
Appreciating the Awami League government's proposal for forming such a task force, Boucher said, "It's a good idea. We'll see how other countries react towards it. If it is formed, the US will look forward to supporting it."
He was talking to reporters after a meeting with Home Minister Sahara Khatun and State Minister Tanjim Ahmed SohelTaj at the home ministry.
Trade and terrorism are on top of the agenda during
Boucher's two-day official visit to Bangladesh to talk with the prime minister, the opposition leader, key government ministers, business people and members of the civil society.
On the first day of his visit, he met with the home minister and discussed cooperation with Bangladesh police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) to eliminate terrorism. He also met with Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia and discussed how to strengthen democracy in Bangladesh.
Today Boucher is due to hold meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad and the foreign minister about forming the South Asian anti-terrorism task force and a deal on the proposed Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (Ufa) between Bangladesh and the United States.
'Since international terrorists incline to operate internationally, the international community can get organised and cooperate with each other to prevent extremism," he told reporters after meeting with Sahara Khatun.
The US envoy, who arrived in Dhaka early yesterday, said the US will extend all kinds of cooperation to Bangladesh to prevent terrorists from using its soil.
We are trying to help the (Bangladesh] government in improving its services and we look to help the government about the quality of policing and Rapid Action Battalion and its actions,' headded.
Asked if they are planning for any such joint task force with Bangladesh. Boucher said there is already a lot of cooperation between the two countnes and that cooperation will continue. "We are looking forward to expanding that cooperation." he said.
Congratulating Bangladeshi people for the good election on December 29, he said he came here to talk to the new government about how to work together.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, State Minister for Home Sohel Taj said, "It was basically a courtesy call, but we discussed how we can take forward the existing cooperation between the two countries."
He said the US has expressed willingness to give assistance to law enforcement agencies, coast guard and Bangladesh Rifles.
z\skcd about the joint anti terrorism regional task force, he said. "We will do everything possible to combat terrorism and ensure security of the country and its people.*
Taj said the present government is committed to ensuring human rights, social justice and free media and at the meeting Boucher proposed organising special training for the law enforcement agencies on protecting human rights.
Sohel Taj said they arc emphasising human rights so that the law enforcement agencies do not violate human rights.
Today Boucher will also hold a luncheon meeting with Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain at state guesthouse Padma and discuss an entire range of bilateral issues.
US Embassy officials said Boucher is to meet top government officials, parliamentarians, business people and members of civil society, engaging in consultations with the newly elected government on a broad range of regional and bilateral issues.
This is the first high-level visit by an American dignitary after installation of the new governments in both Dhaka andWashington in January.
Boucher will wind up his Bangladesh trip by holding a press conference at the Zia International Airport in the afternoon.