Sunday, March 01, 2009

Bangladesh Seeks FBI Assistance In BDR Mutiny Investigation

Bangladesh Seeks FBI Assistance In BDR Mutiny Investigation
(NSI News Source Info) DHAKA - March 1, 2009: Bangladesh Sunday sought assistance from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI) to investigate the mutiny by soldiers of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on Wednesday. Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) soldiers wait to report for duties in front of the BDR headquarters in Dhaka March 1, 2009. BDR soldiers who were absent from duty following the mutiny were given 24 hours to rejoin BDR at their respective headquarters or face lawful actions against them, according to the home ministry on Saturday. Hasina sought the assistance when U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher telephoned her Sunday morning and offered assistance to the Bangladeshi government, according to a release of the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry. During the telephone conversation the prime minister observed that the BDR incident might be a part of conspiracy. She sought FBI assistance in the investigation to dig out real culprits and bring them to book. Earlier, U.S. embassy said Boucher telephoned Sheikh Hasina on behalf of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to express continued support for the Bangladesh government and its people as they respond to the tragic aftermath of the BDR. The U.S. state department official reiterated the United States' willingness to render all possible assistance to the Bangladeshi government. Thousands of BDR soldiers staged revolted against their army officers on Wednesday leaving 64 army officers dead and 71 still missing. The revolt came to an end on Thursday evening after a series of negotiations between the mutinous soldiers and government officials.

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