Dhaka, April 25 (FN Agency) US Ambassador to Dhaka Peter Haas on Sunday said there was no chance of lifting the ban on the Rapid Action Battalion without specific action and accountability. “We want a RAB that is as tough on counter-terrorism as it is on maintaining respect for basic human rights,” he said at a seminar organised by the Bangladesh Institute for International and Strategic Studies (BIISS). “The imposition of sanctions on the RAB does not mean that we will not be able to increase our already strong security cooperation in enforcing the law,” he said. “We will continue to work with Bangladesh to curb international crime and terrorism, increase border security and prevent violent extremism,” he added. Haas said the dialogue expands as the relationship grows. “The governments of our two countries have recently held several important dialogues. Next week, we will host two more dialogues. These are – bilateral defence and high-level economic exchanges. The US Ambassador said that such dialogue has created opportunities to develop and strengthen the relationship between the two countries and will open up many more new opportunities. “But it is up to our respective governments to decide how to make them work, not just talk,” he added. He said he would like to highlight three areas that are conducive to enhancing bilateral relations: security, human rights and democracy, and economic relations.
“We can enhance our security cooperation. In the field of defence, we are involved as partners. We conduct several annual exercises. In fact, our respective Special Operations Forces are currently conducting a joint exercise called Tiger Shark. We can further strengthen these engagements with other like-minded collaborating countries. We can also go for two basic agreements,” added the US diplomat. He said the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) sets out the principles for exchange of sensitive information regarding military procurement. This framework will contribute to the achievement of goal of the Armed Forces of Bangladesh by 2030 and will accelerate the modernisation of Bangladesh Armed Forces with the help of US technology, he added. According to Haas, “Under the Acquisition and Cross-Serving Agreement (ACSA), our military forces will be able to assist each other in international waters and lend necessary equipment or spare parts in case of any problems with aircraft, vehicles or vessels, or just exchange fuel and food. “It has a practical impact on creating opportunities for security and joint operations during ships stranded at the port of Beirut after the eruption in 2020 or during joint humanitarian relief operations in the Bay of Bengal,” he added.