‘Bangladesh will not accept Russian ships under sanction’

Diplomatic Correspondent :
Bangladesh would not accept any Russian ship under sanction for carrying the nuclear hardware used for Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said on Sunday.
He was also surprised to know that Moscow had ‘wittingly’ tried to send a vessel under embargo to Bangladesh for carrying equipment to be used in the Nuclear Power Plant.
The Foreign Minister passed the comments while replying to the queries of the journalists in the Foreign Ministry.
“We have told Russia that they can send the equipment for the nuclear power plant by any other ships rather than their 69 ships under sanctions. We don’t want to accept any ship under sanction. A good relation has been developed between Bangladesh and the USA,” he said.
“We are really surprised that Russia had sent a ship under sanction by changing its name. We did not expect it. We hope Russia will send equipment by the non-sanctioned ships,” he
A Russian flag carrier ‘Ursa Major’ was carrying equipment for Rooppur Power Plant and was scheduled to anchor at Mongla Port on December 24 last year.
But before leaving port, the Russian authority changed its name to ‘Sparta’ since the US imposed a sanction on it over Russian invasion in Ukraine.
Before reaching Bangladesh territory, the US Embassy in Dhaka informed the government of Bangladesh about the issue on December 20 to immediately take action if Dhaka wants to avoid any penalties for unloading equipment in Bangladesh territory.
After being confirmed, Bangladesh refused to allow the vessel to anchor at Mongla Port. Even the Russian authorities wanted to unload the materials at Haldia Port of West Bengal, but the India authorities also refused their proposal of unloading.
Finally, the vessel under sanction returned to Russia as it did not get the permission to unload the materials.
Concerned authorities of the government said that the Nuclear Power Plant may face troubles in its timely implementation of the project for the shortage of equipment.
Dr Momen said that Dhaka is working with Moscow on how the implementation of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant can make progress through better coordination for uninterrupted supply of materials for timely implementation of the government’s flagship project.
Apart from the Rooppur Power Plant, the foreign minister also expressed concerns over the heightening tensions on Bangladesh-Myanmar border for bombardment and fighting inside Myanmar territory.
“Due to the internal conflicts in Myanmar, the Rohingyas who are on the borderline tried to enter our territory. But we have kept the border protected and did not allow anyone to enter,” he said.
He, however, said that the local community people inside Bangladesh territory are in fear of bombardment and fighting. “Naturally a tension is prevailing inside our territory due to bombardment and fighting. We are on high alert so that we don’t have any trouble. We want the conflicts stopped,” he pointed out.
In reply to a query whether the Bangladesh side has talked to Myanmar, he said, “We have various engagements with Myanmar. We don’t talk to the rebel group.”
Whether Bangladesh has sought China’s assistance to stop violence on Myanmar-Bangladesh territory, he said, “We always seek help and cooperation from China in this regard.” Dr Momen, however, felt saddened by the media report, saying that many western countries are continuously supporting Myanmar in arms supply. “We are saddened by it,” he said.