UN to consider peacekeeping training school in Bangladesh

UN police chief Ann-Marie Orler yesterday said her organisation would consider a Bangladesh government's proposal for setting up a regional UN Peacekeeping Training School in the country.
She made the assurance during her courtesy call on State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku at his ministry office.
Police sources said if the school is established, the county will benefited financially as the UN will provide monetary support for it.
Tuku said though Bangladesh is the topmost peacekeeper contributing country for the last couple of years, it has no representation at the higher level like the posts of deputy inspector general, additional inspector general or police commissioner at the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
The minister proposed the UN police chief for recruiting such higher-level police officers for the mission.
He informed that the UN police chief appreciated the contribution of Bangladeshi police to the UN peacekeeping mission and assured of taking steps for appointing higher ranked police officials for the mission.
Talking about the Bangladeshi police in war-torn Ivory Coast, the minister said they will take steps to send the cops back to the country if the situation deteriorates.
Replying to a question, he said all police personnel are unhurt in Ivory Coast and they are keeping regular contact.
He said the geographical location of Bangladesh is very important. If a regional peacekeepers' training school is set up here, UNPOL and FPU members from home and abroad will be benefited.
The state minister said now a total of 2,066 police personnel are deployed at 11 missions. Of them 153 are female. He added so far 7,279 police personnel have served the mission.