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Dhaka to deploy sky marshals on planes

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA, JAN. 28. Bangladesh has decided to deploy the Sky Marshal Team, a special security corps comprising air force and army personnel, on flights following a request by the United States, made on security grounds.

The Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, Meer Mohammad Nasiruddin, told the U.S. ambassador, Harry K. Thomas, that Bangladesh would deploy sky marshals "if the U.S. feels the urgency of deploying such a team in any flight."

Mr. Thomas called on the Minister on Tuesday and raised the matter against the background of the terrorist attacks in U.S. on September 11, 2001. Expressing his satisfaction over Bangladesh's positive response, the U.S. envoy said his country would provide all-out support to the security team.

"If necessary, the U.S. will arrange higher training for free for the Sky Marshal Team members," the ambassador said during the meeting with the Minister.

He also expressed his satisfaction over the steps taken by Dhaka to strengthen security at airports as well as on the national flag-carrier, Bangladesh Biman.

The Minister told the envoy that security teams comprising members of the air force and army had been kept ready and they would be deployed if the U.S. felt the necessity for doing so for any flight.

The Minister also agreed to waive fuel tax for flights between the two countries following a proposal.

"Reciprocal exemption of the fuel tax will benefit Bangladesh as it operates two flights a week to New York against irregular operation of U.S. flights to Bangladesh," an official of the Civil Aviation Ministry was quoted as saying by a news agency.

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