US urges action on Bangladesh terror

By Roland Buerk
BBC correspondent in Dhaka

Frustration is widespread at the lack of prosecutions

The US State Department's counter-terrorism co-ordinator, Cofer Black, has urged Bangladesh's government to bring to justice those responsible for a string of bomb blasts in the country.

Mr Black is on a two-day visit to Dhaka. Two weeks ago, 19 people were killed when grenades were thrown at an opposition rally.

Before he arrived in Bangladesh, Mr Black said he was concerned the country could be becoming a platform for international terrorism.

In meetings with ministers, he urged them to take action against those responsible for the blasts.

There have been 16 major explosions since 1991, but in all but one case, the police have made no arrests.

The main opposition Awami League, itself targeted in a grenade attack two weeks ago, blames fundamentalists.

It says they are being supported by members of the Islamic parties in the ruling coalition. Ministers deny the allegations.

'Assurances'

Mr Black said the government must find those responsible.

"I am not an expert on Bangladesh politics, I just know counter-terrorism," he said.

"I know when innocent men and women have been killed, the job is to find who did it as quickly as possible and to try them fairly in a court of law.

"I have assurances that that is the intent and that's what we'll be doing, and of course, as a close friend of Bangladesh, that's what the United States expects."

Earlier in the day, there was another explosion, this time in Sylhet in the north-east.

A 35-year-old man and his 12-year-old nephew were killed and seven others were injured.

Police say they suspect the dead man and boy were carrying the device when it went off.