MOI and national interest

The system, known as PISCES, designed to help in the implementation of "exit control list," would be used in the US war against terror. We feel the introduction of the system in Bangladesh would make her a US partner in this war. But it's not clear whether Bangladesh would be a part of US global data-base networking. Reportedly, we are not the only country in South Asia that will have the benefit of the latest technology. Pakistan was given this system last year, which is now in place in its three international airports. Presumably, this is a networking by the US for the purpose of data sharing for identifying and tracking those that are acting against its interests.

Admittedly, our entry and exit control oversight is dated and lacks the necessary finesse. The latest induction would definitely enhance our capability to preempt and interdict unwanted persons from entering and thereby using our territory for terrorist and other illegal activities. There cannot be any reservations about exchange of data with any other country. However, the generation and sharing of data should be the exclusive preserve of Bangladesh that could be exchanged with a third country, on the basis of mutual interest.

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According to press reports, another aspect that the MOI obligates Bangladesh to do is to ensure security and safety of every single US interest, including protection of US citizens and installations, in Bangladesh. We are not clear about the implication of this particular clause of the MOI. When the Geneva Convention related to the protection of diplomats is very explicit on the obligation of the home country, the new dispensation will naturally raise queries.

One is also wary of the whole issue of US 'interest' and 'installations'. How and who will define these two terms, and what if our interests collide? One cannot be sure whether, under the MOI, the US would be allowed to pursue within the territory of Bangladesh those that they think are working against its interest. We are also not aware of any foreign installations on our soil, let alone US installations.

Since the details of the memorandum have not been released, it would be in the fitness of things to make these known, because the people have the right to know.