US embassy cable - 05DHAKA555

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000555 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2010 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PTER, BG, IQ 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR-PM ZIA MEETING 
 
REF: A. DHAKA 0554 (NOTAL) 
     B. STATE 17170 (NOTAL) 
     C. DHAKA 0362 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, reasons 1.4 b and d. 
 
1. (SBU) On February 7, Ambassador called on Prime Minister 
Khaleda Zia to discuss her request for U.S. law enforcement 
consultants in the investigation of the January 27 attack 
that killed Awami League leader, and former finance minister, 
Shah Kibria (ref a).  Also present were P/E counselor 
(notetaker), PMO Principal Secretary Kamaluddin Sidiqui, PMO 
Political Secretary Haris Chowdhury, and PMO Press Secretary 
Tajul Islam.  Ambassador also raised the below topics. 
 
RAB 
--- 
 
2. (C) Ambassador expressed serious concerns about the 
"crossfire" killings committed by the Rapid Action Battalion 
(RAB) and other police units, and reviewed the implications 
for the BDG of the Leadhy amendment (ref b).  All suspects, 
he said, have the right to due process.  Zia replied that 
"crossfire" is a media misnomer for battles between RAB and 
criminals.  The police, she maintained, have the right to 
defend themselves.  Ambassador stressed: "We want the 
extra-judicial killings to end." 
 
Iraq Election 
------------- 
 
3. (C) Ambassador urged Bangladesh, as a democratic country, 
to issue a statement praising the election in Iraq and the 
courage of the Iraqi people in defying terrorist intimidation 
to exercise their democratic rights.  He noted that many 
countries, including Pakistan and India, have already issued 
statements.  Zia indicated support for a statement. (Note: We 
have also pressed MFA for a statement.  At a small dinner the 
night before, PMO Political Secretary Chowdhury assured us 
the BDG would make such a statement.  We will follow up with 
MFA and Chowdhury.) 
 
UN Counter-Terrorism Conventions 
-------------------------------- 
 
4. (C) Ambassador reiterated our request for the BDG, which 
has adhered to three conventions, to adhere to the remaining 
nine.  Zia indicated agreement but had no substantive 
response. 
 
IMF Program 
----------- 
 
5. (C) Citing recent newspaper reports, Ambassador observed 
that the BDG is having trouble dealing with the financial and 
political costs of privatizing the first state-owned bank 
under its IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility program. 
Since IMF funds are important to Bangladesh, he said, the BDG 
should work on alternative proposals that would address both 
IMF and BDG objectives.  "Tell them to wait two years," Zia 
joked, alluding to the general election expected in early 
2007.  She agreed, however, that the BDG should pursue 
alternative proposals. 
THOMAS