The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The presence of a US ship in the Bay of Bengal is purely for relief activities for the cyclone-affected people and the Bangladesh government would be in charge of the whole process, said Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.

"The presence of them (US ship) is only for relief activities. We've announced before and we're doing now that the Bangladesh government will be in the driver's seat and lead the process," he told reporters replying to a volley of questions about the US ship at a press briefing at his ministry on Monday.

The press briefing was organised to brief the reporters about the just concluded Commonwealth Summit in the Ugandan capital of Kampala where the Foreign Adviser represented Bangladesh.

As the pressmen wanted to know whether the purpose of arrival of the ship is humanitarian or intervention, and how long it is going to stay here, Iftekhar said, "I can only share with you the information I'm aware of. I was told that this capacity (of the US ship) has added to our capacity to transport relief to needy people."

The question also included if the ship came under any agreement between the two states and if the ship came at the invitation of Bangladesh government.

Iftekhar said the US cooperation would reduce the sufferings of the affected people and help reach relief the impenetrable areas.

"In international arena, there are innumerable examples of such types of assistance following natural disasters," the Foreign Adviser said adding that similar nature of humanitarian help was provided to Tsunami and earthquake devastated Indonesia.

He went on: "This type of friendly cooperation is generally acknowledged as normal and positive in the sphere of friendly relations between states. It's considered as a normal process of international diplomacy."

Narrating the huge capability of the ship, Iftekhar said the ship with helicopters on board would facilitate transportation of relief, purified drinking water and medicines.

About the arrival of second such ship, he said he is not informed about the navigation of the second ship.

He said the helicopters on board today gave five sorties distributing 2,500 gallons of purified water in the affected areas and the capacity of using the helicopters would gradually increase.

About international aid, Iftekhar said so far the country has received aid worth US$ 450 million. In addition, the South Korean Ambassador in Dhaka today handed over to him a cheque for Tk US$ 500,000 and pledged to send relief worth US$ 200,000, he said. The Sri Lankan Ambassador also pledged to provide US$ 25,000.

Huge relief has come and more to follow, he said adding, "We're coordinating the matter in the best possible manner."

Replying to a question, the Foreign Adviser said the state of emergency in Pakistan and Bangladesh is not the same. "It's totally different and everyone can realise that. And, the matter has been treated that way (in the Commonwealth summit)."

He said that in the Commonwealth summit he discussed export of manpower to Cyprus and Singapore.