Cablegate: Bangladesh Leaders Condemn London Bombings

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

UNCLAS DHAKA 003405

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV BG
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH LEADERS CONDEMN LONDON BOMBINGS

1. (U) Summary: Bangladeshi political leaders, including
the Islamists, have condemned the July 7 bombings in London
and expressed sympathy with the victims' families. Some
Islamist leaders, however, suspect the bomb attacks were an
"ill-attempt" to portray Muslims as terrorists. End Summary

2. (U) Prime Minister Zia and Opposition Leader Hasina in
separate statements expressed deep shock at the attacks,
condolences for the deaths and sympathy with the bereaved
families. Zia hoped the British people would face the
situation with calm and courage and the tragic event would
"strengthen the resolve of our nations to work together in
fighting the menace of terrorism."

3. (U) Jamaat Islami leader and Industries Minister Nizami
condemned the attack as an act "against Islam and humanity"
and hoped the British government would take appropriate
measures to bring the perpetrators to justice. He also
condemned attacks on some mosques in the UK and New Zealand
following the bombings and cautioned against linking
terrorism to Islam. IOJ leader Aminee condemned the attack
as "inhuman" but suspected it to be an ill-attempt to
portray Muslims as terrorists. Some other Islamic leaders,
including the conservative "pir" of Charmunai --Maulana
Fazlul Karim -- condemned the attack but expressed
skepticism about the claim of responsibility for carrying
out the blast by the "secret organization of al-Qaeda in
Europe" saying it might be an arranged drama by anti-Islamic
forces. A few leftist organizations also issued statements
condemning the London bombings.

4. (U) Visitors to the British High Commissioner's
residence to sign the condolence book included government
ministers, leaders of different political parties, including
Nizami and Aminee, and the leaders of JI's student wing
Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS).

5. (SBU) Comment: The Bangladeshi leaders belonging to
different ideologies were quick to condemn the London
bombings. Their quick condemnation may reflect growing
sensitivity following years of counter-terrorism campaigns
by the US and its allies on the diplomatic front. The
Islamist leaders, however, seem to be preoccupied with the
thought of a conspiracy theory against Islam and are yet to
trust the West, even at the moment of a tragedy like the
London bombings. End Comment.

CHAMMAS

© Scoop Media