Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KUALALUMPUR84
2009-02-09 05:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:
BANGLADESH ENVOY DECLINES TO RETURN TO DHAKA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHKL #0084 0400554 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 090554Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR TO RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0416 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2326 INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000084
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF BD MY
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH ENVOY DECLINES TO RETURN TO DHAKA
Classified By: Ambassador James R. Keith, reason 1.4 (b and d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000084
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF BD MY
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH ENVOY DECLINES TO RETURN TO DHAKA
Classified By: Ambassador James R. Keith, reason 1.4 (b and d).
1. (C) Bangladesh High Commissioner M. Khairuzzaman,
together with spouse Rieta Rahman, called on the Ambassador
January 30 and explained that he did not intend to return to
Dhaka to face what he termed politically motivated and
renewed charges related to the 1975 assassination of
Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibar Rahman. Khairuzzaman
stated that his mid-January recall to Bangladesh over the
murder charge amounted to persecution. The envoy indicated
he likely would remain in Malaysia and implied he had
received some assurances from the Malaysian government that
he could stay after his loss of diplomatic status.
Khairuzzaman said his wife may travel to Bangladesh within
the next two weeks as she does not face charges and has
political connections through her family that would serve to
protect her. Khairuzzaman provided a packet of documents and
press clippings, including "an appeal" for "protection" that
presents his case. We have forwarded the "appeal" to EAP/MTS
and Embassy Dhaka.
2. (C) The Ambassador thanked Khairuzzaman for the
background of his case and promised to share the information
with Washington. The Ambassador also suggested the outgoing
Bangladeshi envoy contact UNHCR regarding his situation. He
indicated he is in close touch with UNHCR. Khairuzzaman made
no requests of the Ambassador and did not indicate he would
apply for refugee status or U.S. admission, although he
suggested his wife, who had communicated previously with U.S.
Embassy officials in Dhaka, might seek to do so again if she
were to travel there in the coming weeks.
KEITH
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF BD MY
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH ENVOY DECLINES TO RETURN TO DHAKA
Classified By: Ambassador James R. Keith, reason 1.4 (b and d).
1. (C) Bangladesh High Commissioner M. Khairuzzaman,
together with spouse Rieta Rahman, called on the Ambassador
January 30 and explained that he did not intend to return to
Dhaka to face what he termed politically motivated and
renewed charges related to the 1975 assassination of
Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibar Rahman. Khairuzzaman
stated that his mid-January recall to Bangladesh over the
murder charge amounted to persecution. The envoy indicated
he likely would remain in Malaysia and implied he had
received some assurances from the Malaysian government that
he could stay after his loss of diplomatic status.
Khairuzzaman said his wife may travel to Bangladesh within
the next two weeks as she does not face charges and has
political connections through her family that would serve to
protect her. Khairuzzaman provided a packet of documents and
press clippings, including "an appeal" for "protection" that
presents his case. We have forwarded the "appeal" to EAP/MTS
and Embassy Dhaka.
2. (C) The Ambassador thanked Khairuzzaman for the
background of his case and promised to share the information
with Washington. The Ambassador also suggested the outgoing
Bangladeshi envoy contact UNHCR regarding his situation. He
indicated he is in close touch with UNHCR. Khairuzzaman made
no requests of the Ambassador and did not indicate he would
apply for refugee status or U.S. admission, although he
suggested his wife, who had communicated previously with U.S.
Embassy officials in Dhaka, might seek to do so again if she
were to travel there in the coming weeks.
KEITH