The visiting US State Department Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca yesterday said Washington is deeply concerned about the rise of militancy and human rights scenario in Bangladesh and wants to see quick and positive solutions to the problems.

Rocca conveyed the concerns of her government to the prime minister, foreign minister and state minister for home affairs during separate meetings yesterday. She said the United States also wants to see that the next general elections are held in time.

She categorically asked State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar to immediately arrest Jamaa'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) chief Shaekh Abdur Rahman and his associate Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai, operations commander of Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh.

The US government strongly asked Bangladesh to stop money laundering, as it believes the militants are getting their funds through such unlawful channels.

Sources said the US has suggested several steps including routing money laundering and sharing information with each other to avoid sanctions dictated by its Terrorist Financing Act.

Sources said, under the proposed information-sharing programme, Dhaka will provide Washington with any information it seeks about any individual or organisation and vice versa. Both the countries will share information and intelligence for the interest of each other. The Bangladeshis to be involved in the information sharing will be trained in the USA.

Rocca, who flew in Dhaka yesterday morning on a two-day official trip, handed over a letter from US President George W Bush to Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, in which President Bush expressed the hope that the next general elections will be held on schedule with participation of all political parties.

The US assistant secretary held separate meetings with Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan, Foreign Affairs Adviser Reaz Rahman and Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin as part of what was described as "normal consultations on bilateral cooperation between Dhaka and Washington".

She will meet Leader of the Opposition and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina at her Sudha Sadan residence at 11:00am today.

ROCCA-BABAR TALKS
In her meeting with State Minister Babar, Rocca said her government, which is providing assistance to train up Bangladeshi law enforcers, offers further assistance to fight militancy in the country.

Emerging out of the meeting at Babar's office in the afternoon, Rocca did not answer any query of the journalists. But, Babar said, "They are concerned about militancy, especially the JMB."

"You should try to nab them [Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai]," Babar quoted Rocca as saying, adding, "They are ready to support us."

Talking to the media later, Babar also said President Bush in his letter acknowledged and appreciated the government's efforts to fight militancy. "They [US government] have shown happiness and satisfaction at the steps we have taken against terrorism."

About the modality of US assistance in fighting militancy, Babar said the US government is already sharing information with and providing training to Bangladesh Police. The training of the police concentrates mainly on dealing with money laundering and interrogation.

"They have given them training time and again and have proposed some more courses. The US also has offered to train our trainers," Babar said.

When Rocca inquired about the proposed Anti-Terror Financing Act, Babar told her the progress is satisfactory.

Asked, the state minister said they did not discuss counter-terrorism or any US proposal to give $10 crore.

Rocca also expressed concern about the human rights condition in Bangladesh. "They did not mention anything specifically but said we should give attention to aspects of human rights," said Babar.

MEETINGS AT FOREIGN MINISTRY
"Bangladesh is not only a functioning democracy but also a role model for Muslim countries," Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin quoted Rocca as saying during her meetings with top foreign ministry officials.

Briefing reporters, Hemayetuddin said the US assistant secretary exchanged views on terrorism and highly appreciated the way some recent incidents staged by a "group of extremists" were handled.

"Rocca was very appreciative of the government's anti-militant crackdown and hoped that this effort would continue," he said. The foreign secretary said Bangladesh has steady cooperation with the USA against terrorism and the government is determined not to show any mercy and to break down the militants network and bring the terrors to justice.

Asked about structured cooperation to enhance Bangladesh's capability in combating terrorism, Hemayetuddin said Rocca would discuss certain areas of cooperation with the state minister for home affairs.

According to him, talking on the next general elections, Rocca said Bangladesh's track records show people's total commitment to democratic process and she is hopeful that the elections would be held on schedule and as per the constitutional provisions.

The foreign secretary said both the sides reached a complete agreement on the existing excellent bilateral relations and continuing the present cooperation. "We were urged to continue our efforts to increase bilateral trade and cooperation in economic and other areas," he said.

Meanwhile, official sources said the US assistant secretary held one-to-one talks with the foreign minister at his office prior to the formal meeting. The exclusive meeting lasted for about 20 minutes.