Security tightened around US embassy, diplomatic zone: Home Minister

Security measures around the US embassy and the diplomatic area have been strengthened in light of the ongoing global situation, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said.

He made the remarks following a meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen at the Home Minister's office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday morning, March 2.

The minister said, "In addition to regular forces, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed to strengthen security in the diplomatic area. Furthermore, law enforcement agencies have been instructed to take precautionary measures."

The meeting covered discussions on various issues of mutual interest, including law and order and security matters between the two countries, illegal migration, counter-terrorism, the SPEAR programme to enhance security in the diplomatic area, and implementation of Electronic Nationality Verification (ENV).

At the outset of the meeting, the minister welcomed the ambassador, stating, "The United States is a close ally of Bangladesh. The country has been working as a close partner in counter-terrorism and the security sector in Bangladesh from the beginning."

The ambassador said, "The United States wants to strengthen relations with Bangladesh."

He stated, "The United States is interested in implementing the Special Program for Embassy Augmentation and Response (SPEAR) to consolidate security measures for the entire diplomatic area, including the US embassy in Dhaka. A memorandum of understanding needs to be signed quickly to this end. Otherwise, this US fund may be returned or go elsewhere."

The minister said, "We want to implement this programme quickly with the consent of the highest levels of government." The ambassador congratulated the minister on his new portfolio.

The ambassador said, "The United States wants to implement the Electronic Nationality Verification (ENV) programme in Bangladesh to prevent illegal migration. If implemented, Bangladesh will be included in the green zone in the US immigration sector."

He said, "The United States has been cooperating with Bangladesh in the counter-terrorism sector for a long time. As part of cooperation in counter-terrorism programmes, the United States has trained nearly 30,000 officers from investigating officers to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) level of Bangladesh Police since 2010 and provided necessary equipment. However, due to retirement and transfers of officers, it has not been as effective as expected."

The minister assured of taking necessary steps in this regard and instructed concerned ministry officials to arrange a meeting or workshop with relevant stakeholders.

The meeting was attended by Rebecca Khan, Joint Secretary of the Political-1 Branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs; Eric Gillan, Political and Economic Counselor of the US embassy; Shane Sanders, Political Officer; Tanic Munir, Political Specialist; and Riley Palmertree, Political Officer, among others.