Cablegate: Kibria Family Tells a/S Boucher Only Military
VZCZCXRO3387
RR RUEHCI
DE RUEHKA #4974 2200419
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 080419Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0545
INFO RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7519
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1220
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 8636
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9254
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA
UNCLAS DHAKA 004974
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
CORRECTED COPY--SBU ADDED
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL BG
SUBJECT: KIBRIA FAMILY TELLS A/S BOUCHER ONLY MILITARY
INTERVENTION CAN DECREASE POLITICAL VIOLENCE
1. (SBU) On August 3, SCA A/S Richard Boucher met for 40
minutes with the family of slain political leader A.M.S. Shah
Kibria at their residence to reiterate USG condolences and
receive an update on their efforts to bring Kibria's killers
to justice. Present were Mrs. Kibria, son Reza, his wife and
their son, in addition to Ambassador, SCA Senior Adviser
Caitlin Hayden and Resident Legal Attache (note taker).
2. (SBU) The Kibrias stated that the "real" killers will have
less leverage to cover up their role if the trial of the
Kibria murder suspects takes place during the Caretaker
government. When A/S Boucher asked how to decrease political
violence, Reza stated that "only through strong military
intervention" could the problem be stopped. The military
could make sweeps to collect unauthorized weapons and
explosives, he said. He also stated that for free and fair
elections, there must be vigorous investigation of money
laundering because the vast amount of money earned by
politicians through corruption or other illegal conduct will
bias the elections. Reza noted that the top 20 richest people
are politicians or those linked to politics.
3. (SBU) Reza noted that people are dissatisfied with the two
parties which have a "stranglehold" on the political process
and that the Awami League's process for selecting candidates
based on people meeting the party leader "was not a
transparent system." Reza then handed Boucher and Ambassador
brochures on a new group, Bangladesh First, which he has
formed with Dr. Kamal Hossain to suggest practical ideas to
change the political landscape.
GEORGE