DHAKA, 6 May 2004 — Pakistan and Bangladesh yesterday agreed to send troops to Iraq only if asked by the United Nations. They came out with the joint statement after a meeting here between Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar and his Bangladesh counterpart Shamser Mobin Chowdhury.
Talking to reporters, Khokhar said the situation in Iraq was very chaotic and hoped the US would go by its plan to hand over power to the Iraqis by June 30.
He said Pakistan would “consider” sending its troops to Iraq as and when the UN plays a central role, it gets mandate and is in command of the situation.
Echoing Khokhar, Chowdhury said Bangladesh would see how situation evolves before taking a decision on troop deployment.
They joined worldwide condemnation of the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US-led forces describing it as “appalling” and “regrettable.”
“It is an appalling act and gross violation of human rights,” Chowdhury and Khokhar told reporters.
