BHUIYAN ASSURES AMBASSADOR OF BDG COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 001866 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2015 TAGS: PGOV PHUM BG BG SUBJECT: BHUIYAN ASSURES AMBASSADOR OF BDG COOPERATION Classified By: P/E Counselor D.C. McCullough, reasons 1.4 b, d. ¶1. (SBU) On April 20, Ambassador Thomas met with Minister of Local Government and BNP General Secretary Mannan Bhuiyan to reiterate USG concerns about protection for Ahmadiyas, extra-judicial killings and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), political violence, the importance of the BDG's joining the UN Terrorist Financing Convention, due process for imprisoned journalist Shoaib Salah Uddin Chowdhury, and to express satisfaction with the good level of cooperation between the BDG and USG in the last few months. ¶2. (C) Bhuiyan affirmed that America is "dear friend" to Bangladesh especially in the joint fight against terrorism. He assured the Ambassador that the BDG will not allow terrorists to work in Bangladesh, and that "the basis of the BNP is anti-terrorist." ¶3. (C) Bhuiyan downplayed the strength and significance of Jamaat-e-Islaami (JI) and Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ) in the ruling party coalition and national politics, and said he told other BNP leaders that "we don't need the help of religious parties." He went on to say that the BNP is very conscious of JI and IOJ's agenda and that they will not allow them to control Bangladesh. ¶4. (C) Bhuiyan reaffirmed the BDG's commitment to protecting the Ahmadiyas against attacks, promising that the BDG "will not let anything happen to them" and invoking the government's duty to protect its citizens. He also cited the Bangladesh constitutional guarantees for equal rights and freedom of religion. ¶5. (C) Bhuiyan emphasized that the BDG takes political killings seriously, and cited the recent conviction of Nurul Islam Sarker, a BNP leader, in the Ahsanullah MP murder case. "Our own leader wasn't spared in the name of justice." He expressed his own shock and dismay with the Kibria killing, saying Kibria was a respected person and that the BDG remains very open and willing to provide the FBI any facility it needs to assist in the investigation. ¶6. (C) Acknowledging that the police are "very weak" Bhuiyan expressed appreciation for USG police training to increase police capacity and said he hopes to maintain the good relationship between the BDG and USG. THOMAS