We have no desire to occupy Bangladesh: US ambassador

US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat seeks support to tamp down fears that Washington’s efforts to counter terrorism in Bangladesh are not genuine.

She said she “sadly” saw reports that some people were saying US offers to provide counter-terrorism assistance were either its effort to invade Bangladesh, or take over Bangladesh, or control Bangladesh in some way, or even to drag Bangladesh onto a battlefield.

“We have no such desire to occupy this country in any way,” she said, speaking at a programme of the American Chamber of Commerce in Dhaka on Wednesday.

“I just want to assure you that the types of assistance we provide to you are those of a partner; those of a partner who, unfortunately, has been fighting terrorism for a long time,” she said, referring to the July 1 terrorists attack and the US offers to help in the investigation process.

“We think we have some techniques and some knowledge, some value. And again, more importantly, we must work on this challenge jointly,” she said.

“No country today can fight terrorism alone because the terrorists don’t operate within borders.  We are looking to Bangladesh as a partner in this effort.

“Our country’s assistance to Bangladesh aims to help the country ride out the crisis,” she said.

Silence is consent

The ambassador said the US investors and the broader international business community were “gravely concerned” about these attacks.

Bangladeshis across the spectrum, including the business community and civil society, are speaking out to condemn the violence and oppose extremism.

Bernicat said people around the globe perceived a greater threat in the light of the horrific violence and senselessness of these recent attacks in many countries.

“Clearly a strong response will be necessary to safeguard Bangladesh’s future and its economic progress.”

“I have a sticker that I keep by my schedule that says “silence is consent”.  If we don’t speak out, if we don’t counter this, then we are silently consenting to what is going on.”

She said the Bangladesh and US governments had been working together to counter the threat, and “I assure you that we are stepping up our efforts”.

She appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s “unflagging commitment to fight terror”.

Security environment is changing

The Ambassador referred to the attack that killed 20 people, mostly foreigners, and said this was “not the Bangladesh I have come to know, and I know this is not the Bangladesh you have built, and yet we have seen approximately 70 such attacks since January 2015.”

“For many, the most recent attacks obliterated our sense of security and any expectation that this violence somehow could not touch us or change our lives,” she said.

Gulshan's Holey Artisan Bakery and O' Kitchen after commandos raided the upscale cafe, ending an overnight siege that started on Jul 1.

“But we will not be afraid.  The security environment is changing, and we all must act.  We must respond, and we can respond,” she said.

Citing Bangladesh’s potentials, she said that a “bright future awaits Bangladesh, but it is also the future which the terrorists hope to extinguish. We cannot let them.”

Specifically, she said, there was need for a clear recognition of the fact that the security environment was changing, demanding additional tools and measures to address it.

Bangladesh also needs to conduct a rigorous, open and thorough investigation into these attacks by closely coordinating with its international partners, she added.

And there was a need for openness to accept investigation findings wherever – and to whomever – they may lead to.

Only this level of commitment will counter the threat in Bangladesh - and globally. Why? she asked.

Bangladesh part of an international crime scene

“Because Bangladesh is now part of an international crime scene. Evidence found and evaluated here will help others find the perpetrators of attacks in their countries.”

“A piece of evidence may be vital to uncovering that information here, or when you connect it with the events and characters, timing and data of attacks in other countries that might tell us a much more significant and more meaningful story that will help us all to get to the root of terrorism.”

She said the assistance of the business community, civil society, religious leaders, teachers and youth leaders was needed to counter the threat.

She also urged the business community to play their role in engaging the Bangladesh government to restore confidence among foreign investors and the broader public.

The Ambassador, however, said Monday’s signing of an agreement between US-based Excelerate Energy and Petrobangla on setting up a LNG plant in Moheshkhali was the “best vote of confidence that we can have at a time like this.”

“It is not only a foreign direct investment, it is an investment that will help all of you continue to grow your businesses, attract partners and other industries that Bangladesh needs and deserves, and will help Bangladesh grow itself.”

“In short Bangladesh should be a place where investors are coming,” she said on a positive note.