KIBRIA FAMILY TELLS A/S BOUCHER ONLY MILITARY

UNCLAS DHAKA 004973 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL BG SUBJECT: KIBRIA FAMILY TELLS A/S BOUCHER ONLY MILITARY INTERVENTION CAN DECREASE POLITICAL VIOLENCE ¶1. On August 3, SCA A/S Richard Boucher met for 40 minutes with the family of slain political leader A.M.S. Shah Kibria at their residence to reiterate USG condolences and receive an update on their efforts to bring Kibria's killers to justice. Present were Mrs. Kibria, son Reza, his wife and their son, in addition to Ambassador, SCA Senior Adviser Caitlin Hayden and Resident Legal Attache (note taker). ¶2. The Kibrias stated that the "real" killers will have less leverage to cover up their role if the trial of the Kibria murder suspects takes place during the Caretaker government. When A/S Boucher asked how to decrease political violence, Reza stated that "only through strong military intervention" could the problem be stopped. The military could make sweeps to collect unauthorized weapons and explosives, he said. He also stated that for free and fair elections, there must be vigorous investigation of money laundering because the vast amount of money earned by politicians through corruption or other illegal conduct will bias the elections. Reza noted that the top 20 richest people are politicians or those linked to politics. ¶3. Reza noted that people are dissatisfied with the two parties which have a "stranglehold" on the political process and that the Awami League's process for selecting candidates based on people meeting the party leader "was not a transparent system." Reza then handed Boucher and Ambassador brochures on a new group, Bangladesh First, which he has formed with Dr. Kamal Hossain to suggest practical ideas to change the political landscape. GEORGE