US embassy cable - 05DHAKA2018

UNCLAS DHAKA 002018 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, ECON, ETRD, PGOV, BG 
SUBJECT: ATTORNEY GENERAL HASSAN ARIFF RESIGNS 
 
 
1. Summary. The unexpected resignation of the independent- 
minded Attorney General, over seemingly minor matters, could 
trigger the unfortunate departure of the Deputy Attorney 
General who energetically coordinates anti-TIP prosecutions. 
End Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) Attorney General A.F. Hassan Ariff tendered his 
resignation on April 28.  He cited health grounds but the 
actual cause appears to have been BDG dissatisfaction with 
his level of support for pro-BNP members in recent Supreme 
Court Bar Association elections and his effective acceptance 
of the Bangladesh Bar Council's cancellation of the law 
license, for fraudulent credentials, of a pro-BNP High Court 
judge.  PM Khaleda Zia is expected to accept the 
resignation, effective May 1. 
 
3. (SBU) Ariff has been AG since the outset of the BNP-led 
administration in October 2001.  He periodically told us 
that he would resign unless the BDG moved to implement the 
1999 Supreme Court directive to separate the judiciary from 
the executive, and he angered BNP officials by refusing to 
argue personally the BDG's case for yet more extensions on 
separation.  In 2004, Ariff pondered resignation after the 
BDG's appointment of controversial High Court judges but 
reportedly agreed to stay on at the PM's request. 
 
4. (SBU) One possible consequence of Ariff's departure is 
the resignation of Deputy AG Adilur Rahman Khan, who has 
energetically and effectively coordinated the BDG's 
aggressive prosecution of human traffickers.  Ariff is his 
mentor and private practice law partner; both started and 
remain active at prominent human rights NGO Odhikar.  On 
April 26, Khan told us, in the context of his future, that 
he came with Ariff and he would leave with him. 
 
5. (SBU) Ariff has recommended as his successor his deputy, 
senior Additional AG A.J. Mohammad Ali.  Another candidate 
is Additional AG Abdur Rezak Khan, who is a BNP activist. 
Ariff told us that one reason the BDG accepted his 
resignation was so it could appoint an AG who would better 
promote the BNP agenda ahead of the general election 
expected in early 2007. 
 
6. (SBU) Comment: Ariff was sympathetic to the BNP but not a 
party member.  In a government characterized by cronyism, he 
was a rare example of competence and integrity.  It is 
ironic that his departure was ultimately triggered by a 
seemingly minor matter like the internal election of a 
marginal professional body and not an important issue like 
separation of the judiciary.  Deputy AG Khan's departure 
would be a major blow to anti-TIP prosecutions, at least in 
the short term. 
 
CHAMMAS