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| Bangladesh |
| PM focused more on saving the innocent |
| 2009-03-02 |
| Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told parliament that her government has sought assistance from the US and UN, and will request the UK as well for cooperation in probe into the massacre at BDR headquarters last week. Referring to her telephone conversation with the United States assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, she said, "I've had a talk with Mr. [Richard] Boucher today. I told him I want FBI assistance in the probe." She said she has asked for cooperation from UN as there is no question of belittling the barbaric acts of violence at BDR Pilkhana. "I'll also request the British high commissioner for Scotland Yard's assistance." Hasina, also leader of the House, was speaking on an obituary reference on the death of army officials in the hands of disgruntled border troops on Wednesday and Thursday. About the government's tackling of what she termed a pre-planned massacre at Pilkhana, she said the focus all along was on saving lives of thousands of innocent people. "I opted for talks to save lives, to save the officers and their families," she said refuting claims that not resorting to force was a tactical mistake. She said her government has already directed the army, police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) to round up the BDR men who did not report for duty within the 24 hour time limit that ended at 4:00pm yesterday. She also said she has asked the law minister to arrange for a special tribunal to try those responsible for the vicious killings. The prime minister said a neutral probe committee was formed yesterday ensuring representation of the army, air force, navy, police and Rab. |
| Posted by:Fred |