The New Nation - Internet Edition

Mamunur Rashid

The US FBI delegation held a meeting yesterday with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in its bid to recover $200 million allegedly paid by foreign companies to a group of people allegedly including former prime minister Khaleda Zia's son Arafat Rahman Koko.

Competent sources said the delegation-sought assistance from the anti-graft watchdog in this regard. According to press reports, the US government Thursday filed a forfeiture action against accounts having the alleged bribes.

Earlier, on Sunday The same delegation, comprising the US Justice Department's deputy chief Linda M. Samuel, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent Deborah Heprevotte and UK Institute of Management consultant Ferdous Ahmed met Law Minister Shafique Ahmed of sought his Government's help to recovering the money.

After the meeting with the officials, the Law Minister told reporters that, a dozen of ministers and leaders of the four-party alliance and Koko are alleged to have received US$ 200 million in bribe for awarding work to foreign companies. US Justice Department's deputy chief Linda M Samuel and FBI agent Deborah Heprevotte had also an hour-long meeting with ACC chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury.

About the meeting, ACC director general (admin) Col Hanif Iqbal told the Commission's regular briefing that the US delegation sought assistance in accordance with the Mutual Legal Assistance Request (MLAR) under United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNTAC).

Under the MLAR, he said, states can seek assistance from other states about money earned through corruption to bring the people involved under law and the issue of assisting states by providing information is also included. "Based on this, they have been here and have exchanged views with the Commission."

Asked on which issues the US delegation sought assistance, Hanif said the discussions took place on information they have got, and information and evidence the ACC has.

About repotted foreign currencies worth about Tk 11.6 crore in koko's account temporarily frozen by authorities in Singapore, he said, "The inquiry is on. Since the inquiry is on it's not possible to say more."

On December 18, the ACC revealed at its regular briefing that it began inquiry into Koko's alleged financial transactions in foreign currencies worth crores of taka in Singapore.

About the names of 12 individuals allegedly involved in bribery, Hanif said, "I've seen the names in media. If the Commission doesn't have proven information, it's not right to specify names or number in the interest of investigation."

Asked if the delegation sought any more information, he said, "They know many things. We who know many things. That issue was given priority in today's meeting."

Asked whether the delegation provided any list of individuals allegedly involved in bribery, he said, "We don't take any list directly."

Replying to a query, Hanif said, "What we're doing is based on specific evidence.

ACC said most of the bribes were paid in connection with public works projects awarded to Siemens, a German industrial conglomerate, and China Harbor Engineering Co.

A Siemens representative in Bangladesh didn't have an immediate comment.

The Siemens' company bribes to government officials in Argentina, Bangladesh, China, Iraq, Israel, Mexico, Nigeria, Russian, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Siemens' unit in Bangladesh admitted that it paid at least $5.3 million to Bangladeshi officials in exchange for favorable treatment during bidding on a mobile telephone project from 2001 to 2006.

A US embassy spokesman confirmed the collaboration between officials of Bangladesh and USA.