UNCLAS DHAKA 003764

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: Indo-U.S. Defense Agreement; Dhaka


Summary: Commenting on the Indo-U.S. Defense Agreement, an
editorial article in the Islamic daily "Naya Diganta" says
India will act as the subcontinent's police, under American
influence. Independent Bangla "Amar Desh' says that the
U.S. has violated the principles of the Nuclear Suppliers
Group.



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Indo-U.S. Defense Agreement


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"Black Shadow of Unrest On the Sky of South Asia."
An op-ed page article in Islamic Bangla language newspaper
"Naya Diganta" by Sirajul Hussein Khan opines (July 29):

....The Indo-U.S. defense agreement will disrupt the balance
of power in South Asia and India will emerge as a regional
superpower in the region sitting on the wings of the U.S.
In this situation, nuclear Pakistan may be able to preserve
its security, but small nations in the subcontinent will be
incapable of saving themselves. The other five South Asian
nations will be totally dependent on the U.S. for their
security. The situation will provide an opportunity for the
U.S. to dominate over South Asia. Three days after the
signing of Indo-U.S. defense agreement, Pakistani Ambassador
and former Army Chief Lt. General (retired) Jahangir Keramat
informed Washington that if the U.S. does not supply
Pakistan with an anti-missile system similar to that of
India, Pakistan will find ways by itself. That means a new
arms race will begin with the disruption of the balance of
power in South Asia. Instead of improving the socio-
economic situation of the region, endless money will be
spent for the defense sector, which will push the
subcontinent to destruction.

The Indo-U.S. defense agreement speaks of cooperation in
defense sector, including joint production of weapons,
supplying India with an anti-missile system, transfer of
nuclear and space technology. These clearly indicate that
one of the objectives of the agreement is to strengthen
India militarily and pit it against China. This will not
bring any good for anybody. It will hamper peace and
progress in the world.

The agreement clearly says that India has been employed to
act as a police force for the neo-imperialist Americans in
South Asia, Southeast Asia and a vast area of East Asia.
The police force with a nuclear cap on its head will be like
Israel.... The sky of South Asia has been overcast with
black clouds of unrest.



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"Provocation for Nuclear unrest"
An Op-ed page article in independent Bangla language
newspaper "Amar Desh' opines (8/3):
The Indo-U.S. Defense Agreement has become controversial
because the U.S. itself has violated principles of so-called
Nuclear Suppliers Group. This may encourage others of the
group, especially Russia and China, to do the same. In the
future, Pakistan may seek similar assistance from these two
countries. The U.S.-sponsored Nuclear Suppliers Group is
comprised of 44 countries that can provide raw material and
technology for the development of nuclear energy.
Principles of the group say that members will not provide
raw materials or technology to any country which has not
signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In
addition to major European powers, Russia and China are also
members of the group. Following the example set by the
U.S., other powers may also go against this principle for
commercial and geo-strategic reasons.
Chammas#