The United States has urged Bangladesh to send combat troops to Afghanistan to help the multinational effort bring stability to the war-torn country, Dhaka's foreign ministry said Sunday. According to a statement of Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued here Sunday, the request was made during a meeting between Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke in New York on Sept. 23. “Bangladesh is one of the US most important friends and it needs help of friends like Bangladesh to ensure security and stability in Afghanistan,” Holbrooke was quoted as saying in the statement. “He sought for any kind of help like deploying combat troops, providing economic and development assistance or giving training among the law enforcement agencies,” it said. According to the statement, in this connection, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Moni said that the country has already offered to send teachers and doctors in Afghanistan. “She assured Holbrooke that the Foreign Ministry will follow up the issue,” the statement said. Moni said the government would consider the request. Muslim-majority Bangladesh is a major contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world, but has no troops in Afghanistan.
