DHAKA, 12 February 2005 — A special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation has flown into Dhaka, two days after US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas met with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in response to the government’s request for FBI assistance in investigating the Jan. 27 carnage in Habiganj district.
The FBI agent, Trung Vu, held talks with a number of government officials on Thursday, Home Ministry sources said in Dhaka yesterday. But it is still uncertain whether the bureau will join in the probe into the grenade attack that left five people, including Awami League lawmaker and former Finance Minister Shah A.M.S. Kibria dead and 70 injured. “Washington is actively considering the Bangladesh government’s request to assist in the probe but is yet to decide,” said a diplomatic source. Vu has come to discuss with the Bangladesh government the terms and conditions of their possible involvement, he added.
“He will hold meetings with Home Ministry officials concerned to work out the terms of reference specifying the assistance requested for and the parameters of that assistance,” said the source.
Whether FBI would assist Dhaka depends on the outcome of the meetings, he said.
Vu will also study the situation, and determine which and how many experts are needed in case Washington decides to involve FBI in the probe, the source said.
