EU offers to help Bangladesh combat terrorism

DHAKA, Jan 24 (Reuters) - The European Union on Tuesday offered to help Bangladesh in its fight against terrorism, saying it was part of an international problem.

Bangladesh has suffered a wave of bomb blasts, including suicide bombings, which the government blamed on Islamist militants fighting for introduction of sharia law in the mainly Muslim democracy.

"Terrorists are receiving funding from abroad. Fight against terrorism is an international effort and we will work together with Bangladesh to address the issue seriously," Nikolaus Scherk, leader of a EU delegation, said after talks with government leaders.

"Terrorism is a global problem and is to be addressed globally," he said.

Scherk, who is Director for Asia Pacific at the Austrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs representing the EU Presidency, said that the continuing confrontation between the government and opposition parties was damaging to Bangladesh.

"We urged the political players here to cooperate for the good this country, for its economy, for its image in the world." he told reporters after a meeting with Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan.

The main opposition Awami League party, which wants the government to resign for failing to tackle the Islamist militancy, has threatened to boycott and resist parliamentary elections due in January 2007.

The government led by Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has vowed to stay on in power until its term ended.

The EU is a major trading partner of Bangladesh, buying nearly half of its garments and shrimps and EU countries also provide concessional loans.

During its three-day trip that began on Monday, the EU team is expected to discuss the state of governance, corruption and human rights with representatives of government, political parties, civil society and the diplomatic community in Bangladesh.