US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3341

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003341 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, BG 
SUBJECT: CDA RAISES ISSUES WITH FOREIGN MINISTER KHAN 
 
REF: DHAKA 3176 
 
Classified By: CDA Judith Chammas, Reason(s): 1.4 (b),(d) 
 
1. (C) Summary:  CDA paid courtesy call on FM Morshed Khan 
and discussed several issues: Bangladeshi approval of 
remaining UN anti-terrorism conventions, their draft 
anti-Terrorism law, Bangladesh security services harassment 
of USG labor programs, AFL-CIO petition to lift BDG's GSP 
status, the Kibria murder investigation status and the 
Bangladesh road show. End Summary. 
 
2. (C) On July 6, CDA with poloff (notetaker) made a courtesy 
call on Foreign Minister Morshed Khan and raised a number of 
issues: 
 
--Bangladesh ratification of remaining UN Terrorist 
conventions.  Khan said that 11 have been approved by the 
cabinet and that "no further steps" are needed.  He has 
requested a cabinet meeting on the 12th convention related to 
terrorism financing but noted he wanted a definition of 
terrorism from the UN.  He said no action can be taken on the 
13th convention until the convention is formally open, and 
then we "need only sign it." 
 
--Bangladesh's "Prevention of anti-Terrorism" draft law.  The 
Home Ministry has provided us with a copy of the bill and we 
are concerned about language that would only repeat the 
Special Powers Act, which the BNP promised last election to 
repeal, Charge told the Foreign Minister.  Khan protested 
"but you have your Patriot Act," and sidestepping the 
question, said they are currently upgrading their Criminal 
Procedure Code (CRPC).  He asked Embassy to speak to Law 
Minister. 
 
--Allegations of National Security Intelligence (NSI) 
harassment of American supported Labor program organizations 
and their personnel (Ref A).  Charge noted raising the same 
issue with Kamal Siddiqui, Principal Secretary to the Prime 
Minister.  Khan responded off handedly that the NSI "asking 
for information is OK but threats" would be another matter. 
He  agreed to look into the matter. 
 
--AFL-CIO petitioning to lift Bangladesh's GSP status because 
of problems associated with implementing Bangladesh's EPZ 
law.  The Foreign Minister replied that there is a "change in 
the mental framework of the AFL-CIO because of the economy. 
They only want to keep their jobs but not improve things." 
 
--Investigation into the murder of S.A.M.S Kibria, MP. The 
Charge noted that we appreciate the Prime Minister standing 
by her commitment of access to the alleged killers of Kibria, 
including A.K.M. Abdul Qayuum.  Charge asked about the 
circumstance under which the FBI might be able to talk to the 
accused, Qayuum, alone, asking if a Bangladesh Court Order 
would permit an interview of Qayuum.  Khan responded 
cautiously, saying that the law does not permit foreigners to 
interview prisoners but that he "wants full transparency" and 
thanked us for our efforts to date.  He promised to keep us 
informed on the matter. 
 
--The Bangladesh Economic Road Show, now scheduled to take 
place in October, noting that the exact cities have not been 
determined.  Khan made no response on this issue. 
 
3. (C) Foreign Minister Khan raised the issue of United 
Nations reform, referring to inclusion of additional 
permanent members to the security council.  He noted that the 
Group of Four (G4) plans to table a proposal soon.  He said 
that Bangladesh "doesn't want reform so fast" that they are 
concerned that the reform agenda will be "hijacked" for 
other's (meaning India's) benefit. 
 
4. (C) Comment: We are asking the MFA to confirm via dip note 
that Bangladesh has approved the UN Counter Terrorism 
conventions. 
CHAMMAS