Dhaka wants prior discussions before the US takes any decision on Bangladesh regarding security cooperation so that the country can ensure protection of its security interests.
"We will communicate to the US that they should let us know before making any decision if they have any allegations against any organisation of Bangladesh," Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen told journalists after an inter-ministerial meeting on the US' Leahy Law at the foreign ministry today.
He said if the US says that they have credible information on any organisation, Bangladesh would seek to learn of the source of the information.
"We will seek adequate time to explain the measures that Bangladesh will have taken and its position," Masud Bin Momen said.
The meeting discussed various aspects of Leahy Law that governs the nation's funding to foreign security forces. Officials from the home and law ministries and law enforcement agencies were present at the meeting. The law will be effective from January, 2022.
In a letter to Dhaka on December 1, Washington said Dhaka needs to inform in writing the consent to the Leahy Law for assistance on security cooperation.
The US will need consent of the countries where the US cooperates on security issues. Bangladesh would need to inform the US government of the security forces that get security assistance from the US and how it will be used.
Bangladesh was asked to respond to the letter by December 15 but Dhaka has now sought until December 31 to give feedback.
"Earlier, we discussed. We did it again today and will do some more work before informing our consent on the law by December 31," Masud Bin Momen said.
"We are reviewing the benefits of Bangladesh if we endorse the US law. Also we are checking if any policy of our law enforcers contradicts the US law," the foreign secretary said.
Bangladesh maintains "zero tolerance" policy in terms of human rights violation, militancy, and other serious crimes, and there is commonality between that of the US and other development partners, he said.
"We will hold one more meeting on it before communicating our consent to the law to the US," he said, adding that Bangladesh values the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Asked if any of the Leahy Law provisions contradicts Bangladesh laws and context, he said Bangladesh's law and situation will surely get priority.
He said the security assistance that Bangladesh got from the US in the past is not coming under the purview of the law.
"We are working on the language aspect of the law, so that our interests are protected," Masud Bin Momen said.
"The US wants general consent to the law, but we want to respond by making sure that our interests are protected at the same time," he said.
He said there is no link between US sanctions on Rab and seven of its former and current officials.
