SOFA so good for Bangla security

DHAKA, July 2: If things go according to plan, Bangladesh is going to be the first South Asian country to sign the Security of Forces Agreem...

DHAKA, July 2: If things go according to plan, Bangladesh is going to be the first South Asian country to sign the Security of Forces Agreement SOFA with the US. But the expected pact has caused ripples in political circles and the media in the country, with some reports suggesting that the Sheikh Hasina government is under pressure to sign it before President Bill Clinton8217;s planned visit here in November.

The agreement will provide legal cover for the movement of US troops and military supplies to Bangladesh in emergencies, particularly natural calamities. It will also enable Bangladesh to receive speedy supplies of US military personnel and material from the US pacific command based at Hawaii.

Although discussions on the agreement were initiated during the previous regime of Begun Khaleda Zia after the US Army8217;s Operation Sea Angels in the wake of the April, 1991 cyclone, a controversy exploded in the media here late last month.

Some local papers hinted that the agreement would be a first steptowards an American base in Bangladesh, possibly at St Martin island south of Chittagong port. Prime Minister Hasina, however, told the Jatiya Sansad Parliament that reports of an American base in Bangladesh were 8220;baseless8221;.

The US embassy here too stepped in quickly to scotch the speculation. In a statement the USIS clarified that 8220;a SOFA does not entail or imply a security commitment or military alliance, the establishment of military bases, or the development of rest and recreation facilities for the US military personnel8221;.

8220;A SOFA establishes agreed procedures governing the movement of US personnel and supplies into a host nation for an exercise. A SOFA also clarifies legal procedures to be followed should US military personnel harm individuals and property in the host nation during an exercise.8221;

During the Operation Sea Angels, the US deployed 7,500 military personnel and provided relief worth 120 million. Besides the relief operations, Bangladesh and the US conducted 8220;small jointmilitary exercises each year8221;. A SOFA, the statement added, 8220;would obviate the necessity to conclude a memorandum of understanding for each exercise8221;.

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The Bangladesh Government is said to have sought clarifications on two aspects of the proposed pact 8211; firstly, about the movement of US military personnel during an operation without having to go through immigration formalities; and secondly, the movement of military hardware and supplies like fuel without being subjected to proper inspection.

According to Bangladesh Foreign official, in reply to these queries, the US has said that a SOFA had its quot;standardquot; arrangements which were the same with all the countries with which the US has signed such agreements.

But, coming as they did soon after the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan, the reports on SOFA brought in security angles involving India. Well known political scientist Talukdar Muniruzzaman has been been quoted in a leading weekly as saying, 8220;In view of the rampant militarism of the Indiangovernment, Bangladesh needs a military pact with one of the big powers for the sake of its security8221;. He even welcomed such a pact with a nuclear power even if it meant that one of the islands in the Bay of Bengal would have to be made a base for that power.8221;

Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Dev Mukherjee refused to comment on the issue. But there are other indications that not only India but some other countries are rather suspicious of some developments relating to the proposed pact.