January 20, 2003	Monday	Ziqa'ad 16, 1423

DHAKA, Jan 19: Dhaka has officially requested Washington on Saturday to drop Bangladesh from the list of terror-risk countries, promising “all necessary efforts” to have the name dropped.

“Besides, the Bangladesh caucus in the US Congress has also written to US Attorney General, John Ashcroft seeking to revoke the US decision,” Bangladesh Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan told reporters this morning. “Dhaka would take all necessary efforts to have its name dropped from the list.”

Meanwhile, Khan had a long discussion on the issue with US ambassador in Dhaka, Mary Ann Peters, at the former’s office this morning.

“Washington’s ties with Dhaka remained strong with Bangladesh despite the latter’s protests over new US immigration rules that heighten scrutiny of Bangladeshi nationals,” Peters told newsmen after an hour of talks with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister. “Washington appreciates Bangladesh’s role in the fight against terrorism but that the immigration rule was in the interest of US national security.”

It was the US ambassador’s first meeting with a top Bangladeshi official since the announcement on January 15.