Visiting US assistant secretary for homeland security department Alan Bersin on Thursday said steps to enhance aviation security in Bangladesh were on track, but it would take time to meet their requirements. After an hour-long meeting with civil aviation and tourism minister Rashed Khan Menon at Bangladesh Secretariat, Bersin said he came to Dhaka to review the steps taken by Bangladesh government for enhancing aviation security. Bersin said they also wanted to get any indication about when the government wishes to consult with the United States and to seek any assistances from them (US) so that ‘we can work together to improve the security condition.’Bersin along with the State Department’s deputy assistant secretary James Walsh, the Transport Security Administration representative Rachel McGlynn, Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Marlen Pineiro and Federal Aviation Administration representative CJ Collins, among others, attended the meeting. Asked whether the delegation was happy with the steps taken meanwhile, Bersin said it was not the question whether or not he was happy, rather it was the question whether Bangladesh’s aviation minister was satisfied in addressing the issues that had been identified. He said the Bangladesh authorities had taken necessary steps to improve security. ‘… We recognised that will take time. But the direction is moving in the correct area,’ the US official told reporters. Rashed Khan Menon said it is true that right at this moment civil aviation security is the most concerned issue across the globe. ‘Even their FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) still is not satisfied with measures taken till date and there are lots more to do… We have suggested them to create a platform to work unitedly instead of giving instructions from here and there,’ he said.The civil aviation and tourism secretary SM Ghulam Farooque who, among others attended the meeting, said the US believed that Bangladesh is on right tract to improve the aviation security. According to the ministry, the US Transport Security Administration’s technical assistance team conducted first visit between February 22 and February 26.The civil aviation officials said they had informed the US delegation about the measures, required by the US authorities, especially FAA, taken by Bangladesh. In response to the FAA observations, the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh has planned for international surveillance and a programme in this regard for international routes will be approved soon. Based on the FAA observation, the CAAB has developed aviation safety reporting and tracking management software on a test basis. Bangladesh had requested the TSA to share current requirements to be complied with.The government has started improving airport security in the wake of sudden suspension of direct cargo flights between Dhaka and London from March 8. Asked, the civil aviation minister on Thursday could not say whether or not the direct cargo flights to be resumed soon.
