BDG PRESSED ON DUE PROCESS FOR SHOAIB CHOWDHURY

UNCLAS DHAKA 001827 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV BG SUBJECT: BDG PRESSED ON DUE PROCESS FOR SHOAIB CHOWDHURY ¶1. (SBU) On April 17, Ambassador raised the Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury case during PACOM Admiral Fallon,s meetings with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khan and Principal Secretary Siddique. Ambassador said that Choudhury should be SIPDIS accorded due process as guaranteed by Bangladeshi Law. Ambassador added that the U.S. Congress was watching the case with interest and that it appeared that Choudhury was being denied bail because he attempted to travel to a human rights conference in Israel in December 2003. ¶2. (SBU) Foreign Minister Khan said that he had already heard from Bangladeshi Ambassador to the U.S. Shamsher Chowdhury concerning Congressional and non-governmental organization interest and would discuss the due process issue with his cabinet colleagues. He pleaded inability to influence the courts. Principal Secretary Siddique pledged to discuss the case with the Prime Minister. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: The Bangladesh High Court is due to hear the Chowdhury case again on May 7h. Ambassador and Emboffs will continue to raise the case with Bangladeshi interlocutors and asks that State repeat USG concerns about due process to the Bangladeshi Embassy in Washington. THOMAS