AMBASSADOR-PM ZIA MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000555

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2010
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER BG IQ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR-PM ZIA MEETING

REF: A. DHAKA 0554 (NOTAL)

B. STATE 17170 (NOTAL)

C. DHAKA 0362

Classified By: Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, reasons 1.4 b and d.


1. (SBU) On February 7, Ambassador called on Prime Minister
Khaleda Zia to discuss her request for U.S. law enforcement
consultants in the investigation of the January 27 attack
that killed Awami League leader, and former finance minister,
Shah Kibria (ref a). Also present were P/E counselor
(notetaker),PMO Principal Secretary Kamaluddin Sidiqui, PMO
Political Secretary Haris Chowdhury, and PMO Press Secretary
Tajul Islam. Ambassador also raised the below topics.

RAB
---


2. (C) Ambassador expressed serious concerns about the
"crossfire" killings committed by the Rapid Action Battalion
(RAB) and other police units, and reviewed the implications
for the BDG of the Leadhy amendment (ref b). All suspects,
he said, have the right to due process. Zia replied that
"crossfire" is a media misnomer for battles between RAB and
criminals. The police, she maintained, have the right to
defend themselves. Ambassador stressed: "We want the
extra-judicial killings to end."

Iraq Election
--------------


3. (C) Ambassador urged Bangladesh, as a democratic country,
to issue a statement praising the election in Iraq and the
courage of the Iraqi people in defying terrorist intimidation
to exercise their democratic rights. He noted that many
countries, including Pakistan and India, have already issued
statements. Zia indicated support for a statement. (Note: We
have also pressed MFA for a statement. At a small dinner the
night before, PMO Political Secretary Chowdhury assured us
the BDG would make such a statement. We will follow up with
MFA and Chowdhury.)

UN Counter-Terrorism Conventions
--------------


4. (C) Ambassador reiterated our request for the BDG, which
has adhered to three conventions, to adhere to the remaining
nine. Zia indicated agreement but had no substantive
response.

IMF Program
--------------


5. (C) Citing recent newspaper reports, Ambassador observed
that the BDG is having trouble dealing with the financial and
political costs of privatizing the first state-owned bank
under its IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility program.
Since IMF funds are important to Bangladesh, he said, the BDG
should work on alternative proposals that would address both
IMF and BDG objectives. "Tell them to wait two years," Zia
joked, alluding to the general election expected in early

2007. She agreed, however, that the BDG should pursue
alternative proposals.
THOMAS