'Chatters' led to security clamp at US embassy in Dhaka: official

The United States said yesterday a rise in the pickup of "chatter" by intelligence agencies was behind its decision to tighten security at its embassy in Bangladesh.

"The intelligence pick up what is called 'chatters' and when the chatter level goes up it is a reason to be concerned," State Department spokesman Philip Reeker told reporters in the city.

Reeker is on a trip to several Asian countries and will fly to Pakistan Tuesday.

The State Department on Thursday said in a statement in Washington that security had been beefed up at its Dhaka mission and that travel restrictions had been imposed on its diplomats there in response to recent multiple threats against the mission and US interests.

Reeker said yesterday it was prudent to be cautious and vigilante against terrorist groups anywhere in the world but he did not give details of any terrorist outfit in Bangladesh.

Washington, he added, was happy with the security measures taken by Dhaka for protecting American interests and people in Bangladesh.

He said the two sides have focused on many common issues, including fighting terrorism.

"Our focus is to make sure these terrorist groups cannot take roots in Bangladesh, they cannot hijack your democracy and the goals of your country," Reeker said.

Reeker said the United States wanted Bangladeshi troops to join peacekeeping operations in Iraq and to help the Iraqi people rebuild their lives after the fall of former president Saddam Hussein's regime.

"Your troops have played a laudable role in United Nations peacekeeping missions and I think the decision has to be taken by your (Dhaka) government," he said.

Bangladesh, the world's third-largest Muslim-majority country, saw almost daily anti-American demonstrations during the US-led invasion of Iraq last year.