Media Reaction: U.S. cooperation in combating Terrorism;

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000360 SIPDIS FOR I/FW, B/G, IIP/G/NEA-SA, B/VOA/N (BANGLA SERVICE) STATE FOR SA/PAB, SA/PPD (LSCENSNY, SSTRYKER),SA/RA, INR/R/MR, AND PASS TO USAID FOR ANE/ASIA/SA/B (WJOHNSON) CINCPAC FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR, J51 (MAJ TURNER),J45 (MAJ NICHOLLS) USARPAC FOR APOP-IM (MAJ HEDRICK) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR OIIP OPRC KPAO PREL ETRD PTER ASEC BG OCII BG SUBJECT: Media Reaction: U.S. cooperation in combating Terrorism; Dhaka Summary: Independent Bangla "Prothom Alo" demands transparency in cooperation between the U.S. and Bangladesh on the counterterrorism issue. Anti-West "Inqilab" says the decision to establish an anti-terrorism unit should be left for the next government. English "News Today" notes that Bangladesh has already made headway in combating terrorism. -------------- U.S. Cooperation in combating Terrorism -------------- "U.S. Cooperation for Combating Militants" Independent Bangla Language newspaper "Prothom Alo" editorially comments (1/24): Both U.S. and Bangladesh have confirmed cooperation in combating terrorism. Surely, the U.S. may assist Bangladesh with technology, intelligence and information. The U.S. can also train our intelligence officials. There is no way to deny the necessity of this assistance. But it is necessary to make clear how this assistance is continuing and will continue in future and under what framework and guidelines. According to a report in Prothom Alo, the CIA has been providing financial and other assistance to Bangladesh's military intelligence for the last two years. What are the results of this assistance? Intelligence operations are a secret affair, but there is no alternative to transparency in cooperation with a foreign intelligence agency. The issue of cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies, like the CIA, must be discussed in parliament. CIA's activities around the world are controversial. Therefore, establishing relations of cooperation with CIA secretly cannot be acceptable. According to government sources, there are some proposals from the U.S. government regarding assistance in combating extremism. One of the proposals is to establish an anti-terrorism unit for which the U.S. government is ready to provide 100 million dollars. We think that this kind of proposal needs to be discussed in the parliament. The opposition regularly attends parliamentary standing committee meetings where the issue can be discussed. We think that assistance can be sought from any friendly countries, including the U.S., in combating terrorism. But it should be clear in what fields and in what conditions Bangladesh will receive this assistance. These should be determined through appropriate discussions and in a transparent way. The lack of transparency will create suspicion and speculation among the people. It should be ensured that nothing will be done against the interest of the nation and Bangladesh will not turn into a happy hunting ground of foreign intelligence agencies. -------------- "U.S. Sponsored Counter Terrorism Force Should be Left for the Next Government" An editorial-page article in anti-West Bangla language newspaper "Inqilab" opines (1/24): It is now clear that establishing a counter terrorism unit and its force are not under discussion. The decision has already been taken. Only a formal announcement remains to be made. For this reason, people have thousands of questions regarding the force. It has been said that the U.S. is ready to provide 100 million dollars for this. This is not small amount of money. Some security experts question the justification of establishing a separate force to combat terrorism. Are terrorists so strong in Bangladesh? This government will leave power in just eight months. New elections will be held next January. The decision to establish the anti-terrorism force should be left for the next government. Why should the outgoing government take such a major decision? -------------- "US cooperation in drive against terrorism" Centrist English language newspaper "News Today" editorially comments (1/24): Terrorism knows no national frontiers. A look at the international scenario will reveal that no country today is immune to the fangs of terrorists. Even neighboring India and Pakistan were in recent past subjected to senseless acts of terrorism. And these countries, including Bangladesh, are not fully equipped to deal with terrorism in an effective way due to lack of trained manpower and apparatus to confront the terrorists who are armed with latest weapons. It is against this backdrop that Bangladesh has expressed its readiness to accept the US offer to establish a structured cooperation in counter-terrorism activities to enhance the countrys capability to effectively combat terrorism. The modality for such cooperation has to be worked out, according to Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan. US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca, who arrives here on a three-day official visit on January 26, is expected to discuss the crucial matter with top officials of the Home Ministry. Bangladesh, with its limited resources and expertise, has already made headway in plugging some of the holes through which terrorists might slip out. A large number of militants have already been nabbed and their dens are being busted and huge explosives are being seized. And happily, the government is set to go for tough anti-terrorism laws... as per the model of Anti- Terrorism Acts of the U.K and the U.S. After its passage the new law will be used against those individuals, groups and organizations that have been financing, patronizing and provoking activities of the militants and terrorists in the country. The law will provide for harsh punishment to offenders and cases instituted under the law will be non-bailable. Chammas