DHAKA, June 4: The Bangladesh foreign minister said on Friday that his country would not send troops anywhere in the world without a UN mandate.

Morshed Khan's statement came a day before US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is due to visit Bangladesh amid speculation that Washington would ask Dhaka to send troops to Iraq.

"I would like to say clearly that we never send troops to shoot or get shot anywhere in the world," Mr Morshed told newsmen at Zia International Airport on return from a five-day visit to India.

"We will get to know each other at the meeting (with Mr Rumsfeld on Saturday) and later apprise Prime Minister Khaleda of the outcome of our discussion."

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...