DEMARCHE: MUMBAI TERRORIST ATTACK SUSPECT IN

S E C R E T STATE 135481 E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2018 TAGS: PREL PTER BG SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: MUMBAI TERRORIST ATTACK SUSPECT IN BANGLADESH Classified By: Donald Camp, Acting Assistant Secretary for Reasons 1.4 (b) (d) ¶1. Summary: Department appreciates Embassy's efforts to obtain Bangladeshi concurrence to share with the Government of Pakistan information obtained from the FBI debriefing of the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) member who is suspected of involvement in the Mumbai terrorist attacks. While we do not legally require Bangladeshi approval to proceed in sharing information with Pakistan, Department understands and appreciates that U.S. consultation and Bangladeshi investment in this process will maintain productive law enforcement and intelligence cooperation. Drawing on the below talking points, Department requests Ambassador to approach the Government of Bangladesh as soon as possible at a higher level to reiterate the urgent need to allow such information sharing. End Summary. ¶2. Suggested Talking Points: --The United States deeply appreciates our counterterrorism cooperation with Bangladesh, particularly with respect to the investigation of the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai. --Americans were killed in this horrific attack, and we are obligated to pursue this investigation wherever it leads us. We are following multiple leads in Pakistan, India, and of course here in Bangladesh. --We must be able to share FBI information acquired in Bangladesh with the Governments of India and Pakistan, so that both countries have as clear an investigative picture as possible. This includes the information obtained from the FBI debriefing of the individual in Bangladeshi custody. --Even the most mundane information can be of investigative importance when viewed from another perspective. It is imperative that we share this information in order to bring the Mumbai perpetrators to justice and prevent future attacks. --Sharing information from this investigation with your neighbors will ease regional tensions. ¶3. Department requests response by January 2. ¶4. Point of Contact: Please contact Partha Mazumdar at 202-647-9361 or Tara Foley at 202-647-8092 or via e-mail for any necessary further background information. RICE