Diplomats dismayed by security lapses

Expressing serious concern over the systematic attacks and gradual escalation of terrorism and violent extremism, foreign diplomats in Dhaka today stressed the need for more effective security steps.

They also expressed their dismay over militants’ targeting foreigners in Bangladesh, especially those who had come to Bangladesh with intent to help the country in socio-economic development, poverty alleviation, infrastructure development and business.

Taking part in a discussion at a diplomatic briefing arranged by the foreign ministry at State Guesthouse Padma in the morning, the diplomats called for conducting transparent investigation, maintaining the international standard, into the July 1 terrorist attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan.

About 10 ambassadors including the ones from the USA, European Union, Japan, Korea Germany, Thailand, Egypt and UN representatives spoke on the occasion and asked Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali questions.

The minister briefed more than 50 diplomats.

A source who attended the meeting said an ambassador told the discussion that the Bangladesh government did not follow up with the intelligence information on terrorism it was provided by other states as warnings.

Sources who attended the meeting told The Daily Star that several diplomats were highly critical of the government's “lapses in preventing attacks on the foreigners”. They were also critical of the security measures of the diplomatic corps in Bangladesh.

Ambassadors of the US, Germany, Korea, France and UN representatives expressed concern at the gradual increase of terrorist attacks in Bangladesh that left foreigners, people of minority communities, secular writers and intellectuals killed.

Stressing the need for extensive and aggressive measures to contain terrorism, the diplomats asked the Bangladesh government to use all its strength available to ensure that those responsible for planning and executing the July-1 attack are brought to the book and such future attacks are prevented.

The US ambassador offered the Bangladesh government the immediate help of US law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, said a diplomatic source.

In addition to the US ambassador, most of the European envoys have expressed their governments’ readiness to help Bangladesh overcome the current crisis and fight terrorism and violent extremism.

An ambassador on condition of anonymity said the Italian ambassador did not take part in the discussion.

The diplomat said the Japanese ambassador thanked the government for providing the victims’ families all the facilities and repatriation of the seven bodies. He also appreciated the decision to observe two days of national mourning.

Another meeting source said the Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Egyptian Ambassador Mahmod Ezzat suggested an international conference on terrorism in Dhaka. He thanked the law enforcement agencies and security forces in Bangladesh for their bravery in conducting the operation to end the crisis.

"It’s not only Bangladesh that is exposed, we are all, as counties, are exposed. Therefore, we have to work together by all means to combat terrorism.”

The foreign diplomats gave their views on the steps which could be taken to further strengthen the counter terrorism efforts.

The foreign minister asked the ambassadors to send the Bangladesh government their proposal on how to fight terrorism.