Fight terrorism, uphold democratic values: Kerry
Dhaka emphasises duty-free, quota-free access, repatriation of Bangabandhu killer
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday said the principles of democracy should be upheld while fighting terrorism and laid emphasis on the need for information sharing, constant communication and good governance to defeat the global menace.
Dhaka, on the other hand, strongly emphasised the issues related to the duty-free and quota-free access of Bangladeshi products into the US market and the repatriation of convicted Bangabandhu killer Rashed Chowdhury.
Washington also strongly pitched the security issue during the official talks between the US Secretary and his Bangladesh counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali at the state guest house Padma yesterday, meeting sources told The Independent.
Just as important, we understand that to defeat terrorists, we must uphold, not betray, the democratic principles we cherish and they abhor, Kerry said during his a little over 7-hour Bangladesh visit.
In response to Bangladeshs demand of duty-free and quota free access and deportation of the Bannabandhu killer, Secretary Kerry assured that he will see to these issues upon his return to USA, they said. Regarding security, the sources said that the Bangladesh side made the US known its efforts to combat terrorism and said that it is capable of ensuring the security of the country and its people.
A source familiar with the meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and US Secretary John Kerry described the parley as positive.
However, Dhaka told Washington that they are willing to accept need-based assistance from the US, they said.
Emerging from the meeting, Foreign Minister Ali told reporters that he talked about terrorism and elimination of militancy with Secretary Kerry.
We have made him (Kerry) known that our position on militancy is zero tolerance, he said.
When asked if Dhaka will accept the US assistance to fight terrorism, Ali said, Discussions are on in this regard. Nothing has happened so far to talk about.
About the deportation of Bangabandhu killer Rashed Chowdhury, he said, We have informed Kerry about the issue and he said he will look into it after returning to Washington.
The US secretary said that his country is standing with Bangladesh in its fight against terrorism and prevent violent extremism and that no country is immune from this menace.
At the same time, he noted that the principles of democracy should be upheld while fighting against the menace and laid emphasis on the need for information sharing, constant communication and good governance to defeat terrorism.
Democracy still provides the most resilient and reliable platform for preventing and responding to violent extremism, he added.
Addressing a selected group of labour leaders, civil society, media and youth leaders at the EMK Centre at Dhanmondi, he said that the war against terrorism would have to be fought from many fronts including financing, communication and prevention.
We all know true prosperity is linked to a communitys sense of security; that extremists thrive in places where people feel marginalised economically and politically; and that growth is much harder to achieve and sustain in the face of violence, said the secretary, stressing the need for flourishing the civil society in Bangladesh.
Dhaka and Washington agreed on additional steps by which their intelligence and law enforcement will work together for fighting terrorism better, he said.
About his talks with the government officials, Kerry said, We talked about all aspects of it including the importance of inclusivity, working with people, making sure that (you) protect the democratic process even as you come down tough on the perpetrators themselves. We think there is much we can do to cooperate in that regard.
He said that Washington closely works with Bangladesh and other partners on every continent to defeat vicious terrorist networks, especially Daesh and al-Qaeda.
He described the terrorist attack at Gulshans Holey Artisan Bakery on July 1 as an attempt to divide Bangladesh and to cut off this welcoming society from the outside world.
Dozens of smaller-scale attacks have been carried out during the past several years, often directed at members of religious minorities, foreigners, bloggers, and security officials, he said.
To a question, Kerry said that there was no argument with the Bangladesh side that some home-grown operatives in Bangladesh are to some degree connected with terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria.
He said that he talked very openly about it and made it clear to the Bangladesh side.
Kerry said that the fight against violent extremism is one of the worlds paramount challenges and it will take a generation or more to resolve.
No country is immune from terrorism, and no one of us can win this fight without support from others, he said.
Renewing his sense of faith in the future of the relationship between the two countries, the US secretary said, Im not sure anyone would have predicted even a decade ago that our nations would be consulting closely on regional security; that Bangladesh would be using American cutters to patrol the Bay of Bengal; and that our shared agenda would include everything from counter-terrorism to the environmental health and sustainability of our oceans.
Describing Bangladesh as a friend, he said that he came to Dhaka to reinforce that friendship and to strengthen bonds and resolve to face challenges now and in the future.
Kerry also placed great emphasis on the rights, safety and wellbeing of the workers during talks with labour leaders.
Later, he met with the staff of US embassy in Dhaka where he informed that his visit was postponed a couple of times.
Kerry met BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia before departing for New Delhi in his special aircraft wrapping up his visit. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam saw him off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
