BANGLADESH LEADERS CONDEMN LONDON BOMBINGS

UNCLAS DHAKA 003405 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV BG SUBJECT: BANGLADESH LEADERS CONDEMN LONDON BOMBINGS ¶1. (U) Summary: Bangladeshi political leaders, including the Islamists, have condemned the July 7 bombings in London and expressed sympathy with the victims' families. Some Islamist leaders, however, suspect the bomb attacks were an "ill-attempt" to portray Muslims as terrorists. End Summary ¶2. (U) Prime Minister Zia and Opposition Leader Hasina in separate statements expressed deep shock at the attacks, condolences for the deaths and sympathy with the bereaved families. Zia hoped the British people would face the situation with calm and courage and the tragic event would "strengthen the resolve of our nations to work together in fighting the menace of terrorism." ¶3. (U) Jamaat Islami leader and Industries Minister Nizami condemned the attack as an act "against Islam and humanity" and hoped the British government would take appropriate measures to bring the perpetrators to justice. He also condemned attacks on some mosques in the UK and New Zealand following the bombings and cautioned against linking terrorism to Islam. IOJ leader Aminee condemned the attack as "inhuman" but suspected it to be an ill-attempt to portray Muslims as terrorists. Some other Islamic leaders, including the conservative "pir" of Charmunai --Maulana Fazlul Karim -- condemned the attack but expressed skepticism about the claim of responsibility for carrying out the blast by the "secret organization of al-Qaeda in Europe" saying it might be an arranged drama by anti-Islamic forces. A few leftist organizations also issued statements condemning the London bombings. ¶4. (U) Visitors to the British High Commissioner's residence to sign the condolence book included government ministers, leaders of different political parties, including Nizami and Aminee, and the leaders of JI's student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS). ¶5. (SBU) Comment: The Bangladeshi leaders belonging to different ideologies were quick to condemn the London bombings. Their quick condemnation may reflect growing sensitivity following years of counter-terrorism campaigns by the US and its allies on the diplomatic front. The Islamist leaders, however, seem to be preoccupied with the thought of a conspiracy theory against Islam and are yet to trust the West, even at the moment of a tragedy like the London bombings. End Comment. CHAMMAS