By IANS
Dhaka : The presence of two US Navy ships in Bangladesh with personnel on board is “purely for relief work” in the aftermath of the Nov 15 cyclone, the government has assured its people.
Communications Adviser M.A. Matin, who is in charge of coordinating relief and rehabilitation activities in areas hit by Cyclone Sidr, said foreign forces including the US Navy would not “stay a single more day than required”, The Daily Star quoted him as saying.
“There should be no confusion or question about the aim, work and staying period of the foreign forces in Bangladesh,” he said.
Foreign Affairs Advisor Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury repeated the assurance when asked by the media under what international law the US Navy was operating in Bangladesh’s waters.
“The presence of them (US ship) is only for relief activities. We’ve announced before… that the Bangladesh government will be in the driver’s seat and lead the process,” he told reporters at a press briefing.
He was reported as saying that there were “innumerable instances” of foreign military assisting disaster-hit people.
The arrival of two ships with makeshift hospitals and relief material as well as 3,500 personnel on board last week was preceded by thousands of people demonstrating on the streets of Dhaka and Chittagong.
Led by Hizbut Tehrir and other Islamist bodies, the demonstrators, carrying banners and placards, shouted anti-US slogans.
The US ships are headed by a rear admiral. Four US Navy teams have already started work at Southkhali and Dublarchar of Bagerhut, Bamna of Barguna and Kalapara, Rangabali and Dashmina of Patuakhali districts.