Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DHAKA3341
2005-07-14 05:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:  

CDA RAISES ISSUES WITH FOREIGN MINISTER KHAN

Tags:  PREL PGOV BG 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003341 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV BG
SUBJECT: CDA RAISES ISSUES WITH FOREIGN MINISTER KHAN

REF: DHAKA 3176

Classified By: CDA Judith Chammas, Reason(s): 1.4 (b),(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003341

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV BG
SUBJECT: CDA RAISES ISSUES WITH FOREIGN MINISTER KHAN

REF: DHAKA 3176

Classified By: CDA Judith Chammas, Reason(s): 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (C) Summary: CDA paid courtesy call on FM Morshed Khan
and discussed several issues: Bangladeshi approval of
remaining UN anti-terrorism conventions, their draft
anti-Terrorism law, Bangladesh security services harassment
of USG labor programs, AFL-CIO petition to lift BDG's GSP
status, the Kibria murder investigation status and the
Bangladesh road show. End Summary.


2. (C) On July 6, CDA with poloff (notetaker) made a courtesy
call on Foreign Minister Morshed Khan and raised a number of
issues:

--Bangladesh ratification of remaining UN Terrorist
conventions. Khan said that 11 have been approved by the
cabinet and that "no further steps" are needed. He has
requested a cabinet meeting on the 12th convention related to
terrorism financing but noted he wanted a definition of
terrorism from the UN. He said no action can be taken on the
13th convention until the convention is formally open, and
then we "need only sign it."

--Bangladesh's "Prevention of anti-Terrorism" draft law. The
Home Ministry has provided us with a copy of the bill and we
are concerned about language that would only repeat the
Special Powers Act, which the BNP promised last election to
repeal, Charge told the Foreign Minister. Khan protested
"but you have your Patriot Act," and sidestepping the
question, said they are currently upgrading their Criminal
Procedure Code (CRPC). He asked Embassy to speak to Law
Minister.

--Allegations of National Security Intelligence (NSI)
harassment of American supported Labor program organizations
and their personnel (Ref A). Charge noted raising the same
issue with Kamal Siddiqui, Principal Secretary to the Prime
Minister. Khan responded off handedly that the NSI "asking
for information is OK but threats" would be another matter.
He agreed to look into the matter.

--AFL-CIO petitioning to lift Bangladesh's GSP status because
of problems associated with implementing Bangladesh's EPZ
law. The Foreign Minister replied that there is a "change in
the mental framework of the AFL-CIO because of the economy.
They only want to keep their jobs but not improve things."

--Investigation into the murder of S.A.M.S Kibria, MP. The
Charge noted that we appreciate the Prime Minister standing
by her commitment of access to the alleged killers of Kibria,
including A.K.M. Abdul Qayuum. Charge asked about the
circumstance under which the FBI might be able to talk to the
accused, Qayuum, alone, asking if a Bangladesh Court Order
would permit an interview of Qayuum. Khan responded
cautiously, saying that the law does not permit foreigners to
interview prisoners but that he "wants full transparency" and
thanked us for our efforts to date. He promised to keep us
informed on the matter.

--The Bangladesh Economic Road Show, now scheduled to take
place in October, noting that the exact cities have not been
determined. Khan made no response on this issue.


3. (C) Foreign Minister Khan raised the issue of United
Nations reform, referring to inclusion of additional
permanent members to the security council. He noted that the
Group of Four (G4) plans to table a proposal soon. He said
that Bangladesh "doesn't want reform so fast" that they are
concerned that the reform agenda will be "hijacked" for
other's (meaning India's) benefit.


4. (C) Comment: We are asking the MFA to confirm via dip note
that Bangladesh has approved the UN Counter Terrorism
conventions.
CHAMMAS