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.


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