Media Reaction: GWOT: London Bombings; Dhaka

UNCLAS DHAKA 003847 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: GWOT: London Bombings; Dhaka Summary: Anti-West "Inqilab" urges the Blair government to restore security in Muslim life in Britain. -------------- ¶1. GWOT: London Bombings -------------- "Measures to expel Muslims Will Be Disastrous For Britain" An op-ed article in anti-West Bangla language newspaper "Inqilab" opines (8/8): The meeting between Muslim leaders and leaders of the British government and the opposition had generated deep optimism among the peace loving people in the world, including Bangladesh. Muslims leaders of various countries welcomed the initiative.... But later developments have created serious doubts about the real intention of Prime Minister Tony Blair and other British leaders. The latest announcement of a plan to expel Muslims from Britain shows that the meeting between Muslim leaders and the British administration was an effort to mislead the people of the world. British Prime Minister Tony Blair and fellow politicians are proceeding with a plan whose helpless victims will be innocent Muslims. An announcement has been made of a plan to expel Muslims from Britain. We do not think that the plan can be executed because there are more than one million Muslims in and they participate in and contribute to all spheres of society. They control businesses valuing about 640 billion dollars. Therefore, it would not be easy for Blair to convince the British people that Muslims should be expelled. Instead, they will demand that the government restore the security of Muslims. Therefore, Tony Blair should ensure security of the Muslims living in Britain instead of taking this deceptive and destructive step. The welfare of Britain and his political future as well depend on these measures. Chammas#