July 5, 2003	Saturday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 4,1424

DHAKA, July 4: The American ambassador in Bangladesh has ruled out recent media speculations in Dhaka that the US plans to have a military base in Bangladesh.

“The United States has no plans, no requirement, and no desire for a military base on St. Martin’s Island, Chittagong, or anywhere else in Bangladesh,” Ambassador Mary Ann Peters said here, while addressing a seminar styled as “Security of South Asia: A US Perspective”. “All the United States is interested in is strengthening of military ties with Dhaka,” she added.

The US ambassador’s observations came against the backdrop of reports regarding a possible US military base.