C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000430

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2015
TAGS: PGOV PTER BG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH LAW MINISTER AND POLITICAL
SECRETARY


SIPDIS

REF: A. DHAKA 0361

B. DHAKA 0345

C. 04 DHAKA 04382

Classified By: Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, reasons para 1.5 (b),(d)


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. On January 31, Ambassador met with Law
Minister Moudud Ahmed to express concern about the Kibria
killing and the rise in extra-judicial killings. He also
raised ratification of UN Counter-terrorism conventions, the
Ahmadiyyas, a pending DOE agreement with the BDG to manage
nuclear waste, and the draft bilateral Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA). END SUMMARY


2. (C) Regarding the January 27 attack that killed Awami
League leader Shah AMS Kibria (ref a), Ambassador emphasized
the critical importance of properly investigating and
resolving the incident. Ahmed said that the BDG should not be
involved in the investigation and should only assist law
enforcement agencies because the BDG "cannot share
responsiblity." Instead, he felt all the responsibility
should be given to the investigating body whether it be
Interpol or the FBI. Ambassador replied that such assistance
from US law enforcement agencies is only possible if they are
given full access to the crime scene and witnesses.


3. (C) Ambassador also expressed strong concern about the
growing number of extra-judicial killings committed by the
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and other police units (ref b).
He urged the BDG to use due process, not "crossfire"
killings, to attack lawlessness. While the Ambassador has not
publically criticized RAB, he said, the developing pattern of
extra-judicial killings could result in Leahy ammendment
sanctions that would withhold USG-funded training and assort
for units and personnel associated with the killings. Ahmed
replied only that he hoped that the RAB's record of
extra-judicial killings "won't have to continue like this."


4. (SBU) Of the 12 UN Counter-terrosism conventions,
Bangladesh has only adopted three, Ambassador noted. He
recounted that Foreign Minister Morshed Khan had recently
told him that Bangladesh would ratify five of the remaining
nine conventions by the end of April. The other four
conventions do not apply to Bangladesh because they are
related to nuclear weapons. Ahmed indicated that he agreed
with this outlook


5. (C) On the subject of Ahmadiyyas, Ambassador expressed
concern with the ban on their publications and fear that, if
such a ban were enforced or officially gazetted, other
minority groups could be subsequently targeted by extremists.
Ahmed said he believed the Bangladeshi Supreme Court would
over-turn the ban (reftel c) and that he personally opposes
the ban promoted by "religious fanatics and zealots." The
Law Minister, however, has no role or ability to formally
oppose the ban of publications.


6. (SBU) Ahmed said that the pending Department of Energy
agreement with Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission to manage
nuclear waste should be addressed within two weeks, and that
he will look forward to reviewing the TIFA draft when it
reaches his office for vetting. Ambassador expressed
appreciation for the Law Ministry's cooperation in securing
legislation last year that extended trade union rights to the
EPZ's and for its help in making prosecution of TIP offenders
a top priority.


7. (C) In a subsequent meeting with PMO Political Secretary
Harris Chowdhury, Ambassador repeated USG concerns about RAB
and the implications of the Leahy ammendment. Chowdhury took
advantage of the meeting to assure Ambassador of PM Zia's
committment to solve the Kibria killing.
THOMAS