Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Monday said the government has already
formally sought the assistance of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and
Scotland Yard in investigation into the killing of army officers at BDR
headquarters.
The government also wants their assistance in identifying the bodies of the
officers which are beyond recognition. "We seek their forensic expertise
to support our forensic experts in the matter," she said.
The foreign minister was talking to reporters after US Ambassador James F
Moriarty and Russian Ambassador Gennadi P Trotspemko met her at the foreign
office here. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Hassan Mahmud was also present on the
occasion. The foreign minister said they had already discussed the investigation issue
and related matters with the representatives of different countries after the
tragic incident.
The US assistant secretary for South Asia Richard Boucher had also telephoned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday and extended all support to the government in overcoming the crisis, the foreign minister said. She said the prime minister had told the Jatiya Sangsad of the government initiative to take help of FBI and Scotland Yard for investigating the incident.
The British High Commissioner had also met
her at the Jatiya Sangsad office yesterday and the involvement of the Scotland
Yard was discussed in the meeting.
She said the US ambassador has been formally requested to extend FBI support
and help in carrying out forensic test of the unidentified bodies. He had
assured of sending these requests to Washington with positive notes. The
British High Commissioner made similar gestures, she said.
Moriarti told newsmen he had met the foreign minister to convey the shock and
sympathy of the US government to the people of Bangladesh at this critical
juncture. He appreciated the steps of the Prime Minister in resolving the
crisis, saying these were right and timely.
The steps, he said, helped to rescue many officers, women and children.
Ambassador of Russian Federation Gennadi P
Trotspemko who meet the Foreign Minister condemned the killing of the army
officers and expressed deep condolences and sympathy for members of the
bereaved families and the nation.