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Cablegate: Media Reaction: Under Secretary Nicholas Burns'

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 003042

SIPDIS

FOR I/FW, B/G, IIP/G/NEA-SA, B/VOA/N (BANGLA SERVICE) STATE
FOR SA/PAB, SA/PPD (LSCENSNY, SSTRYKER), SA/RA, INR/R/MR,
AND PASS TO USAID FOR ANE/ASIA/SA/B (WJOHNSON)

CINCPAC FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR, J51 (MAJ TURNER), J45
(MAJ NICHOLLS)

USARPAC FOR APOP-IM (MAJ HEDRICK)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR OIIP OPRC KPAO PREL ETRD PTER ASEC BG OCII
SUBJECT: Media Reaction: Under Secretary Nicholas Burns'
visit and U.S. legislators' letter to Secstate; Dhaka


Summary: Commenting on Under Secretary Nicholas Burns'
comments and U.S. legislators' letter to Dr. Rice,
newspapers said that Bangladesh must hold credible
investigations into political murders, stop atrocities
against minority people and curb extremism with a heavy hand
to win confidence of the international community.

-------------------------------------
Under Secretary Nicholas Burns' Visit
-------------------------------------

"Political Murders: Senators' proposal significant"
Independent Bangla language newspaper "Samakal" editorially
comments (6/29):

Bangladesh cannot ignore the proposal made by four Senators
and eight congressmen to raise the Kibria murder case to the
U.N. Security Council. This is perhaps the first time U.S.
legislators have made such a proposal on a political murder
in Bangladesh.

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At present, our administration has taken a flexible stand on
involving FBI and Interpol in investigations. Previously,
the British administration tried hard to investigate the
grenade attack on the British High Commissioner. All these
investigations point to the fact that if there is a lack of
efficiency in local law enforcement agencies and if
cooperation is not forthcoming, then there is little chance
for foreign agencies to achieve anything. Bangladesh faces
a hostile situation and its position regarding August 21
grenade attack and the murder of former finance Minister
Kibria is controversial. The U.S. legislators' letter
seeking Dr. Rice's intervention will undoubtedly harm
Bangladesh's image further. In their letter, they praised
the government's commitment to identifying perpetrators of
the attacks. We think the government should take the issue
seriously and take appropriate measures.

-----------------

"The United States' concern, Bangladesh's Reply and
Consequences"
Pro-opposition Bangla language newspaper "Sangbad"
editorially comments (6/29):

U.S. Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns met with the
Prime Minister, opposition leaders and government ministers
during his visit to Bangladesh. According to press reports,
he expressed concern over extra-judicial killings and the
security of religious minorities, especially atrocities
against the Ahmadiyya community.... The letter given by four
Senators and Eight Congressmen to Secretary of State Rice on
the Kibria murder case proves that donor countries do not
have confidence in the standard reply from the government,
although it may hoodwink the people. They urged the
Secretary of State to take all possible measures to ensure

SIPDIS
an investigation of international standard.

The letter gives an indication of what the consequences may
be. The entire international community may express, through
the U.N., its lack of confidence in the measures taken by
the government. The government must put the perpetrators of
grenade attacks and the Kibria murder on trial through
credible investigations. It must stop extrajudicial
killings and punish criminals under due process of the law.
There is no other way to gain the confidence of the
international community.

---------------

"Nicholas Burns' concern"
Pro-opposition Bangla language newspaper "Janakantha"
editorially comments (6/29):

The U.S. State Department has been expressing concern over
Bangladesh in various ways. Previously, the American
Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command expressed similar
concerns. Remarks made by U.S. Under Secretary of State
Nicholas Burns are the latest in the series. He commented
on minority issues, extremism and the state of democracy in
Bangladesh. He spoke on holding a free and fair election
and also did not forget to remind us of the consequences if
a proper election is not held.
It is clear from Burns's comments that Bangladesh will have
to overcome its crisis of democracy. Those who are involved
in atrocities against religious minorities and are
encouraging extremism must be dealt with seriously.
Otherwise, the people will have to face a worse situation.

Thomas

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