US looks to deepen ties with Dhaka

Washington looks forward to deepening its relationship and cooperation with Bangladesh on a number of key issues "regardless of political parties or candidates or anything like that", a state department spokesperson said yesterday.

Speaking at a regular media briefing in Washington DC, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said Washington hopes for any election around the world to be free, fair and accessible.

He said this when asked about US Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter's recent comment that it was for the political parties to decide whether to participate in the coming national election in Bangladesh.

About the withdrawal of additional security for certain foreign envoys, including those of the US and UK, Patel said as per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the host country must uphold its obligations to ensure the protection of all diplomatic mission premises and personnel, and take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on those.

"The safety and security of our diplomatic personnel and facilities are of the utmost importance."

In a statement, the UK high commission in Dhaka yesterday also said the security of its staffers and diplomatic facilities is of the highest importance.

The authorities in Dhaka recently decided to stop providing the US, UK and two other foreign envoys with additional police escort. Ansar members will escort the diplomats instead.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Monday said there was a shortage of police personnel, and there was no lack of security in the country because "militancy and the law-and-order were under control".

The foreign diplomats will be able to avail the service if they pay for it, he added.

Talking to reporters after an event at the Foreign Service Academy yesterday, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said the additional escort was mainly used for clearing traffic for the envoys' vehicles, reports UNB.

He added that, as it is a protocol issue, he did not believe the withdrawal of additional police escort would affect the bilateral ties between Bangladesh and those countries.

The ministry officials are likely to meet the director general of Ansar today to know about the services the force has to offer.

"We will then let the missions know officially," Momen said, adding that the government is aware of the responsibilities under the Vienna Convention, and regular security measures for the foreign missions and their personnel remain unchanged.

Asked about the use of flags on the diplomats' vehicles, he said it was done at the individual diplomat's discretion.

He added that when he was a diplomat in New York there was no system of using flags. But in many countries, flags are used by diplomats attending state events.