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

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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.


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U.S. Cooperation in combating Terrorism
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"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.

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"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?

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"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