Bangladesh ensures better safety and security of diplomats: Shahriar

Diplomatic Correspondent  “
The government anticipates that the discussion surrounding the safety and security of foreign diplomats will be concluded, considering that the matter has been clarified, and Bangladesh provides better security measures compared to many other countries.

“There have been some questions arising from misinformation regarding the safety of diplomats. We have provided adequate explanations, and I believe this should put an end to the matter. There should be no further questions on this issue,” said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam.

After hailing from a meeting at the State Guest House in the capital on Thursday with the diplomats of 25 countries to seek their support for Bangladeshi candidate for the position of Secretary General of International Maritime Organisation, the state minister replied the journalists. Bangladesh has nominated Captain Moin Ahmed for the position of Secretary-General of the IMO.

The government has recently withdrawn additional police security facilities for the foreign diplomats stationed in Bangladesh. From now on the envoys will not be able to enjoy additional police force during their mobility across the country.

Even the government told the media that the foreign diplomats can take additional force in exchange of money. The envoys can hire the ansars for their security and mobility purpose.

However, the matter has not been finalised yet what modalities will be followed if the envoys want to hire security personnel from the government. The concerned ministries including foreign ministry are discussion the matter to reach to a final decision.

Even the government representatives said that such decision to withdraw additional protocol would not hamper the bilateral relations as the foreign relations do not depend on a single issue, there are other engagements as well.
In reply to another question regarding Prime Minister’s comment that his government would not buy anything from the countries that would impose sanction, but the government has decided to purchase sugar from US, he said, “Foreign policy decisions are not based on anticipation. If we get any directives from the head of the government, we will implement them. The upcoming days will tell us what will happen or what is happening in the coming days.”