Blair may seek Bangla troops for Afghanistan

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is likely to request Bangladesh to contribute some of its troops to the International Security Assistance Force for maintaining peace in war-ravaged Afghanistan, according to sources.

Blair arrives here this evening by a special flight on a two-day "working visit". Britain heads the International Security Assistance Force, set up under a Security Council Resolution passed late last month.

Created under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, the International Security Assistance Force is different from the traditional Peace-keeping Force formed under Chapter Six of the Charter.

Chapter Seven calls for Enforcement Action involving high-risk exposure and action. Chapter six involves routine peace-keeping work.

If Bangladesh accedes to the British request, its soldiers will be charged with creating a "peace shield" in and around Kabul, gradually extending it to the whole of Afghanistan, Dhaka's Daily Star reported yesterday.

The security force will ultimately oversee that there is no human rights violation in Afghanistan. It will protect Kabul airport and, subsequently, other airports, and help safeguard distribution of relief materials.

In case factional fights break up, which is seen as an unlikely scenario now, foreign troops involved in the security force will, if required, have to resort to force to stop such violence, the sources said.

Bangladesh happens to be on top of the list of UN peacekeeping missions. If it decides to join the security force in Afghanistan, its help in de-mining and in medical and engineering fields may be sought specially.

The sources said Bangladesh may decide on a positive response as it has always identified itself closely with the hopes and aspirations of the Afghan people. Besides, it will also give Bangladesh an opportunity to participate in the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, they said.