Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DHAKA2000
2006-04-10 10:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
RIHS STILL IN BANGLADESH, PRESS REPORTS DESPITE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHKA #2000 1001030 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 101030Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6836 INFO RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7385 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1065 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 8480 RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 0214 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1422 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9016 RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 002000
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS (DBROWN),S/CT (TKUSHNER),IO/PSC
(BFITZGERALD),SCA, NEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2016
TAGS: EFIN ETTC KTFN PTER BG
SUBJECT: RIHS STILL IN BANGLADESH, PRESS REPORTS DESPITE
PRESS REPORTS TO THE CONTRARY
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Butenis; Reason 1.4(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 002000
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS (DBROWN),S/CT (TKUSHNER),IO/PSC
(BFITZGERALD),SCA, NEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2016
TAGS: EFIN ETTC KTFN PTER BG
SUBJECT: RIHS STILL IN BANGLADESH, PRESS REPORTS DESPITE
PRESS REPORTS TO THE CONTRARY
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Butenis; Reason 1.4(d)
1. (SBU) Local media have speculated broadly on the visit of
a Kuwait-based official of the Revival of Islamic Heritage
Society (RIHS) to discuss the future of the NGO allegedly
linked to Jamaatul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB),the terrorist
group responsible for a wave of bombing and suicide attacks
in late 2005. One stated that the BDG is about to shut down
the NGO following a recommendation by the National Security
Intelligence (NSI) agency.
2. (C) On March 31, Home Minister of State Babar confirmed to
us that the official came to shut down RIHS, but that first
he must make alternative funding arrangements for the
dialysis center and orphanage RIHS supports in Bangladesh.
Babar stated that he personally must approve any fund
transfers to RIHS from the BDG's NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB),
which regulates foreign-supported NGO's.
3. (C) On April 9, however, NGOAB Deputy Director Shah
Mohammad Nasim told us he had no knowledge of RIHS's
shutdown, that RIHS is still registered as a NGO, and there
is no action underway to revoke it. On the other hand, RIHS
accounts are frozen, except for two that fund the dialysis
center and orphanage.. Although originally frozen with all
RIHS accounts, NGOAB Director General Mustaq Ahmed requested
a limited exception to unfreeze funds for these two purposes,
on humanitarian grounds.
4. (C) On April 10, an Embassy FSNI went to RIHS's Dhaka
office posing as a student requesting information on RIHS
activities. A RIHS employee stated that the group's
activities are suspended but may resume if funding is
reactivated. Office activities appeared to be normal.
During his visit, another RIHS employee distributed Islamist
literature on jihad to another visitor. The FSNI was advised
to return in 15 days to see if funding was available for new
projects.
4. (C) Comment: RIHS's exact status remains unclear.
According to Embassy sources, there was no NSI report
recommending RIHS's closure, though NSI has told us RIHS
would close once alternative arrangements were made for the
orphans under its care. We will continue to monitor RIHS
activities and press the BDG at all levels to take strong
action, including closure, against RIHS.
BUTENIS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS (DBROWN),S/CT (TKUSHNER),IO/PSC
(BFITZGERALD),SCA, NEA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2016
TAGS: EFIN ETTC KTFN PTER BG
SUBJECT: RIHS STILL IN BANGLADESH, PRESS REPORTS DESPITE
PRESS REPORTS TO THE CONTRARY
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Butenis; Reason 1.4(d)
1. (SBU) Local media have speculated broadly on the visit of
a Kuwait-based official of the Revival of Islamic Heritage
Society (RIHS) to discuss the future of the NGO allegedly
linked to Jamaatul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB),the terrorist
group responsible for a wave of bombing and suicide attacks
in late 2005. One stated that the BDG is about to shut down
the NGO following a recommendation by the National Security
Intelligence (NSI) agency.
2. (C) On March 31, Home Minister of State Babar confirmed to
us that the official came to shut down RIHS, but that first
he must make alternative funding arrangements for the
dialysis center and orphanage RIHS supports in Bangladesh.
Babar stated that he personally must approve any fund
transfers to RIHS from the BDG's NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB),
which regulates foreign-supported NGO's.
3. (C) On April 9, however, NGOAB Deputy Director Shah
Mohammad Nasim told us he had no knowledge of RIHS's
shutdown, that RIHS is still registered as a NGO, and there
is no action underway to revoke it. On the other hand, RIHS
accounts are frozen, except for two that fund the dialysis
center and orphanage.. Although originally frozen with all
RIHS accounts, NGOAB Director General Mustaq Ahmed requested
a limited exception to unfreeze funds for these two purposes,
on humanitarian grounds.
4. (C) On April 10, an Embassy FSNI went to RIHS's Dhaka
office posing as a student requesting information on RIHS
activities. A RIHS employee stated that the group's
activities are suspended but may resume if funding is
reactivated. Office activities appeared to be normal.
During his visit, another RIHS employee distributed Islamist
literature on jihad to another visitor. The FSNI was advised
to return in 15 days to see if funding was available for new
projects.
4. (C) Comment: RIHS's exact status remains unclear.
According to Embassy sources, there was no NSI report
recommending RIHS's closure, though NSI has told us RIHS
would close once alternative arrangements were made for the
orphans under its care. We will continue to monitor RIHS
activities and press the BDG at all levels to take strong
action, including closure, against RIHS.
BUTENIS