e-News® | The NEWS Company…Dhaka, October 06, 2015 : United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat yesterday underscored the importance of joint efforts to address violent extremism. “Let me underscore the vital importance of our joint efforts to address violent extremism. We have everything we need to fight the emergence of ISIL [Islamic State group] in Bangladesh,” she said. She was addressing a Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association Bangladesh (DCAB) meeting at the National Press Club yesterday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said there was no presence of the Islamic State group (referred to as ISIL or IS) in Bangladesh. The US ambassador said the enemy was terrorism, in general, and IS, in particular, which has many resources. “Bangladesh has made extraordinary accomplishments in a very short period of time. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can diminish those accomplishments.”
Bernicat said Bangladesh has a prime minister who has taken a zero-tolerance position against terrorism. “As partners over the years, we have developed the resources, the commitment, and the shared experiences we need to counter terrorism and violent extremism. And we are determined to work together with our partners for the safety and security of our countries. This is a global issue that requires a coordinated, global approach. She said there were “so many important stories” to share about the US-Bangladesh relationship.
“Our two countries have a common vision not just for our bilateral relationship, but for the region. Let me be clear: the US-Bangladesh relationship is stronger than ever before and our interests are more closely aligned.” The US envoy also said: “We approach Bangladesh as our full-fledged partner, whether we are collaborating on security, development or economic issues.” She said the US would continue to support Bangladesh to help it achieve the new sustainable development goals. Bernicat said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly was a powerful speech in which the prime minister said terrorism and violent extremism remain major impediments to global peace and development, and terrorists have no religion and respect no boundary.
The US envoy said her country would help Bangladesh if it requests help investigating the murders of two expatriates. “Both attacks were done in a very similar manner and these are unusual incidents in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi people’s hospitality to foreigners is legendary. This has not changed,” she said. Asked about the basis of information on threats in Bangladesh, Bernicat said in order for a threat to be considered credible, the US government looks at a range of sources. Bernicat said when IS takes credit for such incidents anywhere in the world, the US first attempts to verify those claims.
“We are in the process of determining whether the claims are accurate.” She said as an ambassador it was her first duty to protect her country’s citizens. On the US travel advisory on Bangladesh, Bernicat said: “Our advisory does not say ‘Do not come to Bangladesh.’ Nor does it say ‘Leave Bangladesh.’ Our advisory asks our citizens to exercise caution. We shared that information with our citizens not to create panic but to act cautiously.”