Japan pledges allout cooperation: PM

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FE Team | Published: June 01, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: May 31, 2014 23:19:51

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Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina has termed her just-concluded visit to Japan as very successful and fruitful. In a written speech she said that the tour has added a new dimension to the existing good relations between Dhaka and Tokyo, report agencies.
She also mentioned that the government of Japan has pledged to provide allout cooperation and assistance for the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh.
Immediately after the independence, the PM said, Japan recognised the new sovereign country of Bangladesh and extended its unflinching support to rebuilding and economic development of the war-ravaged country.
Mentioning Japan as the largest development partner, Sheikh Hasina said during her visit, Tokyo committed to providing six billion US dollars as financial assistance which would be utilised for the socioeconomic uplift of the country in next 4-5 years.
At the official bilateral talks, she said, the two premiers agreed to establish a "comprehensive partnership" for further deepening the bilateral ties.
The PM said Japan government has agreed to be involved in some very important and big projects, including the setting up of big power plants in Bangladesh.
In this connection, she mentioned that Japan will construct a 1300-MW ultra critical coal-fired new power plant at Matarbari of Moheshkhali in Cox's Bazar and a Japanese expert team will visit the site to this end.
Sheikh Hasina said Japan also reaffirmed its support to establish a peace building centre in Bangladesh as a symbol of the two countries' cooperation in UN peacekeeping and peace building efforts.
She also mentioned that both the leaders also agreed to extend reciprocal visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders of both countries.
The PM also ruled out the possibility of disbanding Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite crime-fighting force.
"RAB is a reality. After operating for a long period RAB has now developed into an institution. It's not possible to disband RAB right away," she said.
"It's not true that RAB hasn't done anything good," she said. She mentioned about the recovery of Tk 160 million that was stolen from Kishoreganj branch of state-run Sonali Bank.
"They have done a good job in many sensitive cases," she said.
Her response came amidst opposition BNP's demand to dissolve the elite force accusing the government of using it to harass political opponents.
The alleged involvement of three RAB officers in the seven murders in Narayanganj also came under criticism.
Hasina said she opposed the formation of the force when the then-BNP-Jamaat government launched it in 2004.
"Didn't RAB kill over 1,000 people in the first year of its formation?," the prime minister said adding "You can check the list. Where was this hue and cry about then that time?"
Without mentioning BNP chief Khaleda Zia's name, Hasina said that at that time she appreciated the activities of RAB.