US embassy cable - 04DHAKA3141

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003141 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2014 
TAGS: PTER; PREL; PGOV; BG 
SUBJECT: JAMMAT-ISLAMI BANGLADESH DENY INVOLVEMENT IN 
ATTACK ON SHEIKH HASINA 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR HARRY K. THOMAS, REASONS 1.4 (B)(D) 
 
1.  (C) On September 12, Ambassador met with Jammat-Islami 
Bangladesh (JMB) Assistant General Secretary Abdul Razzack 
and advisor Shah Abdul Hannan.  Both stressed that the JMB (a 
partner in the ruling coalition) did not participate in the 
August 21 attack on the opposition Awami League and argued 
that the BDG was doing everything possible to solve the 
crime.  They said that while the JMB did not believe that 
India was responsible for the attacks, they are concerned 
that Indian leaders and journalists are making saber rattling 
statements about pre-emptive strikes against Bangladesh in an 
attempt to intimidate the government.  Hannan alleged that 
India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is conducting a 
smear campaign aimed at linking the JMB to the attack in the 
public's mind. India's goal aim is to destabilize the BDG and 
bring Sheikh Hasina to power, they asserted. 
 
2. (C) Ambassador responded that the USG welcomed assurances 
that the JMB was not involved in this attack and said the 
best way to silence critics is to solve the crime. 
Ambassador added that the failure to solve the recent arms 
hauls or bombings in Sylhet continue to give credence to 
charges that the BDG is covering up crimes and that extremist 
elements are involved.  Ambassador then expressed USG concern 
with the violent activities of the Shabir (JMB student wing) 
and stressed that the Shabir has to participate in the 
democratic process without violence.  Hannan initially stated 
that the Shabir is only responding to attacks against it by 
the BNP and Awami League student wings but Razzack admitted 
that the Shabir has sometimes been involved in "excess acts" 
but that they have been told to halt all violent actions. 
Razzack indicated that the JMB has counseled the Shabir to 
halt violent activities against the minority Ahmadiyyas.  He 
then invited the Ambassador to have dinner with the Shabir 
leaders. 
 
3. (C) Comment:  We are looking forward to taking the 
Shabir's measure but remain concerned about its violent 
predilections.   The JMB, clearly stung by charges that it is 
responsible for the August 21 attacks, is working to assure 
the USG that it remains committed to democracy and 
non-violence but many of its younger members appear to 
support violent behavior and are opposed to western values. 
We will keep a close watch. 
 
THOMAS