US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3315

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 003315 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR I/FW, B/G, IIP/G/NEA-SA, B/VOA/N (BANGLA SERVICE) STATE 
FOR SA/PAB, SA/PPD (LSCENSNY, SSTRYKER), SA/RA, INR/R/MR, 
AND PASS TO USAID FOR ANE/ASIA/SA/B (WJOHNSON) 
 
CINCPAC FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR, J51 (MAJ TURNER), J45 
(MAJ NICHOLLS) 
 
USARPAC FOR APOP-IM (MAJ HEDRICK) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR, OIIP, OPRC, KPAO, PREL, ETRD, PTER, ASEC, BG, OCII 
SUBJECT: Media Reaction: Aftermath of the London Blast; 
Dhaka 
 
 
Summary: Newspapers continue to editorially criticize the 
backlash on the Muslim community in Britain following the 
blast.  "Janakantha" wonders whether racists are taking 
advantage of the situation.  A columnist in "Naya Diganta" 
opines that both sides of the "Fourth World War" are 
committing genocide in the name of fighting terrorism. 
"Bangladesh Observer" says the backlash proves that the 
British society is not as secular as its defendants claim. 
"Naya Diganta" says the bomb blast has not only drawn 
indignation from all people, but also united them against 
terrorism. 
 
----------------------------- 
Aftermath of the London Blast 
----------------------------- 
 
"On Removing Fear in Britain" 
Pro-opposition Bangla language newspaper "Janakantha" 
editorially comments (7/13): 
 
It seems that terrorism has now engulfed the entire world. 
9/11 was not the first and the last...Following the London 
blast, racists have created a new fear.  They have attacked 
three mosques in London, Liverpool and Leeds, causing panic 
in the Muslim community.  Al Qaeda has acknowledged its 
responsibility for the blast, although none has yet been 
identified with concrete evidence... Whatever the reason, 
these are despicable incidents.  They are enemies of 
mankind, not only of the Muslim community, whose places of 
worship were attacked.  The British High Commissioner's 
remarks that Bangladeshis in London have nothing to fear 
will reassure many of us.  Terrorists have carried out the 
London blast.  Peoples and governments of countries, 
including Bangladesh, are opposed to terrorism.  It is the 
responsibility of the British government to ensure that 
nobody can create panic in the community on this issue. 
Fear in the British society must be removed.  We are united 
with rest of the world against terrorism. 
 
------------- 
 
"Both Sides Commit Genocide in the "Fourth World War" 
An op-ed page article in Bangla "Naya Diganta" by columnist 
Sadeq Khan opines (7/13): 
 
Extremist Muslims are held responsible for any terrorist 
incident in western nations.  It is certain that the IRA 
would have been blamed if such incident occurred a decade 
ago.  Experts say that it is the practice of western 
intelligence to proceed with a target in mind.  However, an 
organization named Al Qaeda in Europe has claimed 
responsibility.  It is a matter of investigation whether Al 
Qaeda has any relations with this organization.  Whatever 
facts come out of the investigation, if the 'war against 
terrorism' goes on for thousand of years, even then it will 
not be able to heal the wound the 7/7 has created in British 
history. 
 
Borrowing words from British MP George Gallaway, it can be 
said that such retaliation will continue if the West follows 
a foreign and defense policy based on war and occupation. 
History will determine that both sides of the ongoing 
"Fourth World War" deserve condemnation.  Both are war 
criminals. 
 
-------------- 
 
"How Secular Is Britain?" 
Independent English language newspaper "Bangladesh Observer" 
editorially comments (7/13): 
The backlash that has followed the London bombings of July 7 
was expected. It only proves that British society is not as 
secular as is claimed by its defendants. Nevertheless one 
must add for the sake of putting it in perspective that 
things would have been much worse had the incidents occurred 
in any other continent.... 
The explosions are being compared to the IRA bombings in 
London in the 1980s, but the comparison ends there. There 
was no wholesale attack on the Irish community living in 
London or the UK during that period nor did British 
government annul the agreement that allows Irish citizens to 
visit the UK without a visa. But why is it any different 
when it comes to Muslims? Probably because it is easier to 
identify them by the color of their skins which is different 
from that of the natives. Race has always been a factor in 
British politics. 
Prime Minister Tony Blair of the UK has admitted that one 
has to go into the roots of terrorism although he strongly 
denies that it was a result of the Anglo-US invasion of Iraq 
last year. One just has to remind him that it is not Germany 
or France that has come under attack. It is always countries 
like Britain or Spain that have sent troops to Iraq that has 
been attacked. After Spain withdrew its soldiers from Iraq 
there has been no attack on the country. The UK, too, should 
think of withdrawing its troops from Iraq and cut down the 
possibility of being a prospective target for international 
terrorists. British policy should not be dictated by the 
fact that their troops in Iraq are in a comparatively safe 
zone. They should also understand that they are a party to 
an occupation that has caused death and destruction to 
millions in Iraq. 
So far many in the West had felt that they did not mind as 
long as the war was in a far-away land but the London 
bombings should make it clear to them that the battle-lines 
are undefined. It should be a reason for introspection and 
the people in Britain should realize that it is not a good 
policy to remain smug as long as the suffering is foreign. 
------------- 
"The London Blast: These Barbaric and Inhuman Attacks Cannot 
be accepted by any Consideration" 
Pro-Islamic Bangla "Naya Diganta" editorially comments 
(7/9): 
 
We have no words to condemn the London blast on Thursday. 
The attacks were carried out on the underground trains and 
public buses.  An extremist organization has claimed 
responsibility for the attack through a website. However, 
this confession is not acceptable without legal proof.  The 
British government is also examining whether there is any 
truth in it.  The identity of the perpetrators remains 
unresolved.  But Pope Benedict has said the attack is 
against Christians.  Such remarks should not be made before 
investigations....  Following the blast, London was put on 
high alert.  The world leaders have condemned the terrorist 
attack.  All parties, communities and religions in Britain 
have condemned the attack and pledged to work together to 
deal with terrorist attacks.  G 8 leaders have pledged to 
work together in the war against terror.  The Bangladesh 
government has immediately condemned the attack and 
expressed solidarity with Londoners.  In a joint statement, 
Muslim leaders and the Bishop in London have urged all to 
remain calm and face the situation.  This attack on innocent 
people has not only drawn indignation from all, but also 
united the people to resist this cruel and barbaric menace. 
 
The attack is being considered as an attack on the entire 
mankind.  Perpetrators do not deserve to be considered as 
humans.  They are beasts engaged in revenge.  British Muslim 
leaders have urged people not to place blame prematurely and 
not to involve peace loving Muslims and Islam with this 
barbaric incident.  Blair also said that those who have 
carried out the attack are enemies of mankind.  Rejecting 
the fear that Muslims will be subjected to atrocities, he 
said that Islam is a religion of peace.  Muslims are 
peaceful and law abiding.  Therefore, allegations should not 
be raised against any community or religion without concrete 
evidence or before investigations.  We are against this 
barbaric attack and express out solidarity with the people 
of Britain.  We urge all peace loving people to work 
together against this despicable attack. 
 
Chammas