HOME SECRETARY ON COUNTER-TERRORISM COOPERATION,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 DHAKA 001763 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/PB, S/CT NEW DELHI FOR ROBIN MCLELLAN AND DEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER CASC PHUM SNAR ASEC BG SUBJECT: HOME SECRETARY ON COUNTER-TERRORISM COOPERATION, HUMAN RIGHTS, NARCOTICS AND DETAINED AMCIT Classified By: CDA a.i. Geeta Pasi, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Bangladeshi Home Secretary Abdul Karim, in a November 6 meeting with the Charge d'Affaires a.i., expressed interest in expanded bilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism, including another look at the potential for installing a PISCES program here. Karim reiterated the GOB's desire for U.S. engagement with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The CDA a.i. indicated a willingness to consider engagement, emphasizing that this would be contingent on continued improvements in the RAB's human rights record. The CDA a.i. raised the case of detained American citizen Abdul Awal Mintoo, and Karim vowed to investigate a claim that some GOB agencies had promised to release Mintoo if the family paid a hefty fee. Karim noted that authorities were cracking down on the illegal sale of alcohol and drugs, including in venues -- like nightclubs -- that are patronized by expatriates. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) The CDA a.i. and ADCM met November 6 with Home Secretary Abdul Karim. The meeting, which took place at our SIPDIS request, lasted about 45 minutes. The Home Secretary was alone and seemed a bit distracted, taking several phone calls during the meeting. He had just come from a meeting with the Chief Adviser, which had been called to discuss inflation, law and order, and other issues. Excellent Security Support for Embassy ¶3. (C) The CDA a.i. began by thanking the Home Secretary for the continuing excellent security support provided to the mission, including the assignment of a new security detail member for the Chief of Mission (COM) and police support for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. On the latter, the Home Secretary said that the Chancery and Metropolitan Police SIPDIS would provide their full support. Related to the former, Karim said he had also intervened to secure a prized posting for the COM,s former detail member, who left after being promoted. Karim commented (as he had in the past) that the Bangladeshi government was not good at taking care of individuals who performed well in their jobs. Enhanced Counter Terrorism Cooperation ¶4. (C) The CDA a.i. then noted that she would be traveling to the United States later this month for the SCA Chiefs of Mission conference, and would be meeting with senior USG officials to discuss (among other topics) counter terrorism cooperation. The CDA a.i. told the Home Secretary that one possible area for cooperation would be to revisit the previous proposal to install a PISCES program here in Bangladesh. The Home Secretary was unaware of previous bilateral discussions on this issue, but said he was interested in hearing more. CDA a.i. offered to provide the Home Ministry a briefing on the program, and noted that this system could be used not only to intercept those on &stop lists8 but also to track the movement of suspects. On this, Karim noted that Bangladesh was currently searching for suspects in previous terrorist attacks, like the Kibria assassination, and said that such technology could be of value to Bangladesh. ¶5. (C) The Home Secretary reiterated Bangladesh's desire for training for the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The CDA a.i. acknowledged the decline in extra-judicial killings attributed to the RAB since the state of emergency was declared in January 2007. The Home Secretary said that he was keeping a strict eye on the RAB and had emphasized the need for them to improve their human rights record. At the same time, the RAB was doing excellent police work, including recent successes in arresting drug traffickers (one of whom is an Australian citizen). CDA a.i. said that the USG was considering possibilities for engagement with the RAB. ¶6. (C) The CDA a.i. emphasized that as we moved forward, it was essential for the RAB to continue to improve its human rights record, and be forthcoming regarding alleged abuses. She noted our desire to work with the Home Ministry to develop information regarding past incidents. The Home Secretary said the caretaker government was serious about SIPDIS investigating human rights abuses, and he noted the steps taken by not only the Army, but the Forest Department and Health Ministry, to discipline personnel involved in the DHAKA 00001763 002 OF 003 death of Cholish Ritchil and the subsequent cover up. The CDA a.i. welcomed this, but noted the need for the GOB to tell the public what it was doing. ¶7. (C) Turning to the Judicial Inquiry into the August Dhaka University violence, Karim said that he anticipated receiving a report soon. He acknowledged speculation that the inquiry would lead to the release of detained teachers and students. At the same time, he declined to speculate on the eventual outcome of the cases. ¶8. (C) The CDA a.i. then provided the Home Secretary with information about our proposed &Vision for Life8 program, prepared by the Military Information Support Team. She also provided him with a non-paper and copies of posters prepared as part of the diversity visa (DV) anti-fraud campaign. The Secretary recalled seeing the DV anti-fraud ads in the local SIPDIS press, and complimented us on this initiative. He asked that we provide an in-depth briefing on "Vision for Life" to a Home Ministry team, including Additional Secretary Rashid and the Deputy Secretaries in charge of Political Affairs and the Police. Karim said that he thought local civil society organizations would welcome an anti-extremism campaign. ¶9. (U) Karim suggested that the USG organize a visit to the United States by a senior GOB Delegation (e.g. the Home Secretary, and officials from the Law Ministry and Police) to SIPDIS hold discussions with U.S. counterparts on CT issues. (Comment: He suggested the same informally during an earlier meeting, something we raised at the Regional Security Initiative meeting in Colombo in September). End Comment.) We suggested that such a visit could be possible, but would be best if it were used to further concrete initiatives, such as those we had discussed (i.e. PISCES, RAB, Vision For Life, etc). Abdul Awal Mintoo ¶10. (SBU) The CDA a.i. raised the status of detained American Citizen Abdul Awal Mintoo. She reminded Karim that the USG was following Mintoo,s case very closely. Karim said that bail had been granted to Mintoo the previous day, but the Attorney General had appealed. Karim explained that this appeal was virtually automatic. We asked what the GOB intended to do about Mintoo. The CDA a.i. said that the family had told us about offers by other GOB agencies to release Mintoo if a substantial fee were paid. Karim claimed no knowledge of this, and said it was a serious allegation which he would discuss with the Chief Adviser. Karim said that Mintoo and other high-profile detainees (including Sigma Huda) were being treated well and allowed the best possible medical treatment in Bangladesh. Karim acknowledged the USG interest and recalled discussing these cases with DAS Gastright. Crackdown on Drugs and Liquor Sales ¶11. (SBU) Finally, Karim mentioned that the RAB and Narcotics Police were cracking down on illegal sale of liquor and drugs. He said that several clubs operating without liquor licenses had been raided and indicated that these raids would continue. Karim said that certain clubs and hotels had been given liquor licenses (e.g. the Dhaka Club, Gulshan Club, Westin Hotel) but noted that others were operating illegally. Karim said that the police had been given instructions to be careful with diplomats encountered during these raids, but urged the CDA a.i. to ensure that our personnel obeyed the law. For example, Karim noted that it was illegal to bring alcohol to restaurants, even if this is common practice. (Note: We are working to address this issue internally). Comment ¶12. (C) The Home Secretary's interest in learning more about the PISCES program is a positive sign. He clearly understands that improvement of the RAB's human rights record is a prerequisite for USG engagement in this area. We will continue to follow up on the Mintoo case, especially on the family's negotiations for Mintoo's release. Karim's comments on a narcotics crackdown reflect heightened GOB concern about methamphetamine abuse. A large methamphetamine (known locally as yaba) bust in Dhaka in October highlighted the threat of this drug, which is gaining popularity among DHAKA 00001763 003 OF 003 upper-class urban youths. Finally, we believe that the time may be right for a senior GOB delegation to visit the U.S. to discuss the way ahead on CT cooperation, and we will follow up with GOB and USG officials. Pasi