UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DHAKA 003203

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: G 8 summit, London Blast, Iraq;
Dhaka

Summary: English "Daily Star" says that the G-8 summit
showed that wealthier nations are willing to take
responsibility for alleviating poverty in the world.

On the London blast, the conservative "Ittefaq" hopes that
the perpetrators will be punished. Independent "Bangladesh
Observer" notes that the Anglo-U.S. invasion of Iraq has had
little effect on global terrorism. Jamaat-e-Islami's
sponsored "Sangram" opines that if the International Court
of Justice takes initiatives, terrorist hands can be broken
for good and Islam and the Muslim nations can be free from
suspicion.

On the death of the Egyptian diplomat in Iraq, "New Age"
says that Iraq remains a dangerous country for diplomats.

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

1. G-8 Summit
--------------

"Limited Gain at G-8: Disappointment Over Environment"
Independent English language newspaper "Daily Star"
editorially comments (7/10):

In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on London, there
was much speculation that the G-8 summit at Gleneagles would
be side-tracked from the issues it had convened to discuss,
in order to address the issue of terror and security.
However, the fact that the G-8 was able to continue with its
stated agenda, even against the backdrop of the carnage in
London, made the agreements reached at the summit all the
more laudable.
The summit ended with the leaders of the world's wealthiest
eight countries signing the biggest aid deal in history for
Africa. According to the agreement, development aid to
Africa would be doubled to $48 billion by the year 2010, and
debt would be written off for the 18 most indebted African
countries. This alone counts as a considerable achievement.

However, there were still some disappointments with respect
to the summit. The first was that even though dialogue on
climate change has come some way, the US is still dragging
its feet on any kind of commitment, and nothing concrete was
agreed to in terms of the environment. Similarly there was
nothing solid agreed to in terms of eliminating agricultural
subsidies by the G-8 nations...
Nevertheless, the agreement reached at Gleneagles represents
a real watershed for the world. It shows that the wealthier
countries are finally willing to accept responsibility for
alleviating poverty and acting for the common global good.
No doubt they could have gone even further in their
commitments, but there is also no doubt that the summit
should be seen as a very positive development.
--------------

2. London Blast
--------------

"Bomb Attack in London"
Conservative Bangla language newspaper "Ittefaq" editorially
comments (7/10):

The people of Bangladesh are sad and concerned over the bomb
attacks in London. In a message to British Prime Minister
Tony Blair, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said that Bangladesh
condemns this heinous attack on innocent people. She
further said that Bangladesh is opposed to all kinds of
terrorism and hoped that the perpetrators will be punished.
Leader of opposition Sheikh Hasina and other leaders have
condemned the London bomb blast.

It is not yet known who was behind the London tragedy.
However, an Al Qaeda group has claimed responsibility. We
are concerned and sad over the tragic incident in London and
express our deep sympathy to the families who have lost dear
ones.

--------------
"Violence Breeds Violence"
Independent English language newspaper "Bangladesh Observer"
editorially comments (7/10):
Terrorists, probably of the jihadi variant, have struck once
again. This time in the heart of the United Kingdom -
London...
It is now clear that the Anglo-US invasion of Iraq had
little effect on curbing global terrorism and has rather
accentuated it. Saddam may have been a tyrant but he had no
links with terrorism. After the easy conquest of Afghanistan
the US and its allies were emboldened to take on a
"profitable" target like Iraq. The question of right and
wrong probably did not figure in their decision. Upbeat
Pentagon officials were quoted as saying, "Men go to
Teheran," indicating the next target of aggression.
The war on Iraq actually gave more credence to terrorist
claims that the West was out to plunder the resources of the
Muslim world, all over again. Rather, belatedly, the US had
recently understood the need for a political settlement in
Iraq. Tony Blair's desire to share the spoils in a post-war
Iraq has proved to be disastrous. And now to make things
worse, there is a fear of a backlash on the Muslims staying
in the West. If that happens, it will be the worst nightmare
after World War II. Hutchinson's doomsday scenario of a
"clash of civilizations" will come true. It will serve
nobody's interest and will be a great human tragedy. We hope
the worst case scenario does not come to pass.
--------------

"On the London Blast"
Conservative Islamic and Jamaat-e-Islami's spokesman Bangla
language newspaper "Sangram" editorially comments (7/10):

We condemn the criminal act and express out deep sorrow for
the death of innocent people...Investigations into the
London blast have just begun, but already Al Qaeda has been
identified as the prime suspect. Since Al Qaeda is involved
with Islam and Muslims, Muslims become a target of suspicion
in various countries. This baseless suspicion must be ended
for the sake of peace and for the preservation of rights of
a great religion and nation.
Bin laden and Al Qaeda are new names to the Muslim world.
They are not something to be followed in the Islamic world.
After 9/11, Laden's name came to the forefront, then Al
Qaeda emerged. Since 9/11 incidents were not thoroughly
investigated and perpetrators were not put on trial. Laden
and Al Qaeda's identity and activities have remained in the
dark. These two names are being implicated in all major
terrorist incidents.... We think that terrorist acts of
political and international nature must be investigated
impartially. In this case, the International Court may come
forward. We think that if the International Court takes
initiative with the cooperation from all countries, Laden
and Al Qaeda's existence can be proved, if they exist at
all, and their hands can be broken for good.

The International Court, as a part of the U.N., should come
forward to apprehend Bin laden and Al Qaeda and free Islam
and the Muslim nation from baseless suspicion.

--------------
"A Diplomat Dies in Iraq"
Independent English language newspaper "New Age" editorially
comments (7/10):
The killing of the Egyptian envoy raises the very
fundamental issue of just how feasible it is to demonstrate
to the world that conditions in Iraq are good enough for
other countries to have their diplomatic missions open their
offices. The reality is simple: Iraq remains a dangerous
country for diplomats. Worse, insofar as the Iraqi
government is concerned, is the growing feeling that the men
the Americans have installed in office could soon be forced
into a situation where they will begin to resemble the
besieged and ineffectual Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan. That
will truly be a pity.
Where the insurgents are concerned, they have made it clear
that their targets are not only foreign soldiers but also
those who are part of Iraq's new military and police forces.
That makes it increasingly unlikely that the US
administration will be in a position to feel comfortable
about Iraq any time soon, despite the confidence it
demonstrates in public.
Chammas