US to seek security cooperation framework
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The United States, which wants more engagement with Dhaka in the area of security cooperation, will push for a framework to help counter terrorism and violent extremism during the forthcoming visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry, diplomatic sources said.
Bangladesh will raise restoration of GSP facilities, duty-free and quota-free access of Bangladeshi apparel to the US market and deportation of Lt Col AM Rashed Chowdhury, fugitive convicted killer in Bangabandhu murder case.
According to a US State Department press release issued early today in Washington, Kerry will travel to Dhaka on August 29 to “highlight the longstanding and broad US-Bangladesh relationship.”
He will meet government officials to discuss the two countries' growing cooperation on global issues. “He also will focus on strengthening our longstanding bilateral partnership on democracy, development, security and human rights,” it adds.
Briefing reporters after a seminar in the city yesterday, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said, “Yes, John Kerry is coming on August 29. We're certainly delighted that he is coming to Bangladesh.”
“All the aspects of our relations will be discussed ... Everything will be discussed,” Ali said, adding, “Both sides have long been discussing the visit but Kerry could not make it for various reasons.”
“Now we're at the preparation stage of the visit ... Let's wait for his arrival and you will then know everything,” the foreign minister said.
Diplomatic sources said the US wants partnership with Bangladesh as it has special strategic importance to the USA in the present global and regional circumstances.
“They [Bangladesh] clearly deserve more attention than they often have received either by this administration or a whole range of things but first of all, as we all know an election was held a while back and Sheikh Hasina of course was re-elected,” said Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken during a recent Congressional hearing.
Sources in Dhaka and Washington said Kerry would meet top government officials, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, and civil society representatives to review US-Bangladesh cooperation.
After his day-long visit, Kerry will depart for New Delhi late on August 29 to join the second US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue (S&CD) to be held on August 30.
A highly placed source at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday told The Daily Star, “Kerry will pay a brief visit and will hold a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
It is not yet clear whether Kerry will meet BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Sources at the PMO said Bangladesh would brief the US Secretary of State about the robust security measures taken after the Holey Artisan Bakery attack that claimed 18 foreign nationals' lives.
Dhaka will also brief Washington on the progress made so far in the investigation into cases of recent attacks, including the murder of USAID staff Xulhaz Mannan.
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