They can have it if they pay for it

Foreign ambassadors can have additional security if they pay for it, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan today.

The government had withdrawn 'additional police escorts' given to the heads of missions of four countries—the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Saudi Arabia—from Monday.

Sources in the government however said other security measures remain intact for the foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka, adding that 'additional police escorts' had been provided to the heads of missions of four countries since the extremists' attack at Gulshan's Holey Artisan Bakery in the capital in 2016.

"When militancy rose, we had a reign of terror here…at that time, we used to give protection to only four embassies. It was not applied to us in writing, nor did they request us," the minister said.

"We think that situation is no longer there. Since that situation is not there, we have lifted this protection. However, if an ambassador thinks it is needed, then the new Ansar Guard Regiment will give them protection…They have to pay the cost. That's how it has been decided," he added.

The home minister made the statement in response to a question after a meeting of a taskforce assigned to implement recommendations to ensure discipline in the road transport sector and curb accidents. The meeting was held at the conference room of the Home Ministry.

He clarified further--"I reiterate that in every embassy we have police protection for their security and there are also gunmen for the four ambassadors I spoke about. There are all kinds of protection. The protection we used to give only on the road has been withdrawn. I think I've made it clear," he said.

"If they (ambassadors) think they need that protection on roads, we have everything ready. They'll get it if they want to."

"We will also give this protection by the Ansar Guard Regiment to the ministers and VIPs in phases," he said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen today said the government will share information how Ansar can can provide additional security to diplomatic missions in Dhaka by Sunday.

"We have discussed in detail the modalities. They (Ansar) have shared information about their capabilities. We have got a kind of idea of the format we will convey the information to foreign missions," he told reporters after a meeting with the Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General AKM Aminul Haque.

If not possible by tomorrow, they will inform the missions in a note verbale on Sunday, the foreign secretary said.

Ansar stands ready to provide the services if missions want, he said.

The foreign secretary said the government is aware of the responsibilities as a host country under the Vienna Convention and regular security measures for foreign missions and their personnel remain unchanged.