The brutal murder of USAID official Xulhaz Mannan in his own home in Dhaka has heightened America’s concern over safety of its personnel in Bangladesh.
Washington recently sought permission to build up own security arrangements, including arming security guards, in order to strengthen protection for US officials in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh, however, is reluctant to respond to the request as there are no provisions to extend such facilities to diplomatic missions in the country.
Diplomatic sources of both countries told Prothom Alo, this request was officially made during the visit to Dhaka by US assistant secretary of state for diplomatic security Gregory Starr last month.
The US will want a response to this request during the partnership dialogue to be held in Washington on 24 and 25 June.
With an increase in targeted killings of both local and foreign nationals in Bangladesh recently, the US is considering its own security arrangements alongside that provided by the law enforcement agencies in the country.
Replying to an emailed query in this regard, Nancy T VanHorn, spokesperson for the US embassy in Dhaka, told Prothom Alo, “The US embassy relies on the robust and responsive protection efforts of local law enforcement. The Bangladeshi police provide outstanding and professional protection to our diplomats and facilities. We deeply appreciate the assistance of Bangladeshi law enforcement.
“Additionally, like most diplomatic missions and thousands of other establishments in Dhaka, the embassy relies on private Bangladeshi security companies for secondary protection needs. The Bangladeshi personnel employed these companies are unarmed in compliance with Bangladeshi law. The US embassy complies fully with local law in our security measures. The embassy is not seeking permission to arm US personnel.”
“As a matter of policy, the embassy does not comment on specific security matters.”
US assistant secretary of state for Central and South Asian affairs Nisha Desai Biswal visited Dhaka last month to discuss progress made regarding investigations into the Xulhaz murder case.
US principal deputy assistant secretary of state for Central and South Asian affairs William Todd followed up the visit to discuss implementation of issues on which consensus had been reached. Next to visit Dhaka was US assistant secretary of state for diplomatic security Gregory Starr.
According to sources in the home ministry, during his visit Gregory Starr had raised the issue of the US building up its own security arrangements to provide failsafe security for its personnel in Bangladesh.
In a proposal made at the time, permission was sought for members (Bangladesh nationals) of the private security company that was responsible for the protection of the US officials, to openly carry firearms.
It was stated that there was no provision to allow any country this facility so far. The US would be informed of the decision in this regard after the matter was discussed at a higher level.
A senior diplomat on condition of anonymity told Prothom Alo, according to the Vienna Convention, the host country was responsible for the security of the diplomatic missions therein.
Diplomatic sources in Dhaka said that security, trade and development cooperation would be discussed by three separate working groups during the 24-25 June Washington meet. Security would be given particular focus.
Meanwhile, US ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat met foreign secretary Mohammed Shahidul Huq on 2 June to discuss the agenda of the partnership dialogue.
After the meeting it was revealed that the partnership dialogue would discuss the various decisions and proposals made during the recent visits of the US officials.
Bangladesh will not raise the issue of resuming GSP facilities this time, but will present an update on labour rights and workplace conditions.
Source: Prothom Alo