US on war trial, BDR deaths

The US has urged Bangladesh to be cautious in trying war criminals of 1971, saying the issue should not be politicised.

No action should be taken that might be considered a mechanism to weaken democracy in the country, said visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert O Blake yesterday.

About numerous custodial deaths of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) soldiers being investigated in connection with the recent mutiny in the border security force, he said the matter should be probed seriously and persons responsible for the deaths should be brought to justice.

"We talked how it is important for the government to investigate those, to carry out a credible investigation and to bring those, who might have been responsible for the deaths in custody, to justice," Blake said referring to his meetings with Bangladesh government leaders.

He underscored the need for investigating all extra judicial killings as well.

"In all our discussions with our friends in the government of Bangladesh, we emphasised the importance of investigating those extra judicial killings, and bringing those responsible for those killings, to justice," he said.

He however avoided a direct reply to a question regarding whether the US supports Bangladesh government's move to try war criminals.

"Let me say on the question of war crimes, that the United States believes strongly in the importance of accountability, but in my discussion with our friends here in the government, we also urged for this not to be a politicised issue," he told journalists.

"Your country just had the freest and fairest election in your history… democracy is being strengthened. It's important that no action be taken that could be considered by the people of Bangladesh as a mechanism to weaken democracy, and undermine the progress that has been made," Blake said at a media briefing in the American Club.

He said Bangladesh government must walk a very fine line and maintain a fine balance in respect to war crimes trials.

Blake, who came to Dhaka on a two-day visit on Saturday, met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Home Minister Sahara Khatun, and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni yesterday.

He also had talks with Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Khaleda Zia, members of the civil society, and the business community on Saturday.

"I wanted to see first hand, how we can work with the new government here and the people, to expand the good cooperation we already enjoy. My visit is to show the importance of the relationship of our two countries," said Blake, whose visit to Bangladesh was his first since being appointed to his current post.

He said although his visit was short, he learnt a great deal about Bangladesh, and was impressed with the important changes that had happened here, and the opportunities that had been created.

Elaborating on the outcomes of his talks with the leaders of the country, Blake said he offered cooperation in strengthening democracy, ensuring development, clean energy, dealing with climate change, and in countering extremism and terrorism.

"Not only the maritime security aspect, but security at land borders are also required, to make sure that terrorist groups like Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh, and transnational terrorist groups cannot use the territory of Bangladesh, and operate from Bangladesh to threaten their own country and other nations," said Blake, supporting Dhaka's move to form a South Asian joint taskforce to combat terrorism in the region. He, however, made it clear that the US has no role to play in the proposed taskforce.

"We will continue to support Bangladesh as it extends its democratic roots. We also are here to help you develop your economy, to help you protect your people against terrorist threats, and from those who wish to destabilise your democracy," he said.

He appreciated Bangladesh's effort to expand women's literacy, and the government's move to reform madrasa education through modernising the curriculum, which he said, could spread to parts of the Arab world too.

Asked about sustaining democracy in Bangladesh when the opposition is boycotting the parliament, Blake said his government welcomed the 'freest, fairest and most transparent elections in the history of Bangladesh'.

"At the same time Bangladesh faces new challenges, the finance minister just delivered the budget speech, and in many ways this now is a new beginning…a new beginning for the opposition and for the government to work together. The US government hopes that the opposition will participate in the new parliament and work constructively with the government to not only exploit the new opportunities, but also to face the challenges."

He said he was carrying a message of friendship on behalf of the Obama administration. "Now with new governments here and in the United States, we believe there are opportunities to expand our friendship and cooperation."

Asked whether the US has any plan or programme to help Bangladesh in mitigating and adapting to climate change, he said, "We are just beginning the discussion. I myself is not the person responsible for it…we have special negotiators, and I will be going back to talk to my colleagues about some of the possibilities."

Blake said climate is one of many new areas in which his government thinks it might have cooperation with Bangladesh.

On President Obama's recent visit to Cairo, he said the US president is committed to improving relationship with the Muslim world, based on mutual interests and respect.

Robert O Blake left Dhaka late last night.