US to open S Asian Security Desk
Staff Correspondent
The US Department of State will soon open a new desk -- South Asian Security Desk-- to assist nine countries of this region to make the area safer in the wake of heightened security concerns.The countries which will be under the new desk are Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, Afghanistan and Myanmar, a highly placed official source said yesterday quoting State Department high officials. Creation of the desk is also aimed to strengthen ties with the South Asian countries to combat global terrorism and work to prevent attacks against the nine countries and the US. The source noted that Washington wants to promote stability, security, democracy and prosperity in this region, and mobilise support for its strategic goals. US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina B Rocca is likely to head the new desk. Richard A Boucher, State Department spokesman and Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Public Affairs, will replace her. Rocca, who holds her present post since May 31, 2001, will head the new desk as she has specialised on issues relating to South Asia, sources mentioned. From 1982 to 1997, She was an official in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
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