Dipu Moni to seek US help to bring back Mujib killers

DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT

US Ambassador to Bangladesh James F Moriarty said yesterday that Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, climate change, Bangladesh's role in South Asia and food security will figure during the talks the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh will hold in the USA on September 16.
"So far as I know, Dhaka will seek cooperation to bring back the killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the USA and seek duty-free market access for Bangladesh's readymade garments to the US and more American investment, specially in the energy sector", he said when asked about Dhaka's agenda.
Six convicted persons in the Bangabandhu murder case were absconding abroad and it is believed that two or three of them are living in North America.
Talking to this correspondent, the US Ambassador said: Washington would raise the issues of cooperation in mitigating climate change, Bangladesh's role in combating human trafficking and terrorism in South Asia, upholding human rights, extension of trade relations, oil and gas exploration and investment in power generation.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni leaves Dhaka for Washington today to meet US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington. This will be her first official trip to the US since she took office as Foreign Minister. Dipu Moni will also attend an iftar party to be hosted by Hillary Clinton on September 15 in honour of the Foreign Ministers of Muslims countries.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also scheduled to leave Dkaha on September 21 for attending the UN general session in New York where she will deliver her address on September 26.
Prior to her address to UNGA, Hasina would also meet US President Barak Obama in New York on September 23. The US President invites heads of top 10 highest contributing countries to the United Nations peacekeeping forces. Hasina has accepted the invitation when the US Ambassador handed over Obama's invitation last Wednesday.
Asked about the American position on the extradition of killers of Bangabandhu hiding in the USA, ambassador Moriarty said; "it absolutely depends on Washington".
The Ambassador hosted iftar party and dinner in a city hotel yesterday in honour of the Alumni of the State Department exchange programme.


September 2009, The Independent
;;