US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3405

UNCLAS DHAKA 003405 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, BG 
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH LEADERS CONDEMN LONDON BOMBINGS 
 
1. (U) Summary: Bangladeshi political leaders, including 
 the Islamists, have condemned the July 7 bombings in London 
 and expressed sympathy with the victims' families. Some 
 Islamist leaders, however, suspect the bomb attacks were an 
 "ill-attempt" to portray Muslims as terrorists. End Summary 
 
2. (U) Prime Minister Zia and Opposition Leader Hasina in 
 separate statements expressed deep shock at the attacks, 
 condolences for the deaths and sympathy with the bereaved 
 families. Zia hoped the British people would face the 
 situation with calm and courage and the tragic event would 
 "strengthen the resolve of our nations to work together in 
 fighting the menace of terrorism." 
 
3. (U) Jamaat Islami leader and Industries Minister Nizami 
 condemned the attack as an act "against Islam and humanity" 
 and hoped the British government would take appropriate 
 measures to bring the perpetrators to justice. He also 
 condemned attacks on some mosques in the UK and New Zealand 
 following the bombings and cautioned against linking 
 terrorism to Islam.  IOJ leader Aminee condemned the attack 
 as "inhuman" but suspected it to be an ill-attempt to 
 portray Muslims as terrorists. Some other Islamic leaders, 
 including the conservative "pir" of Charmunai --Maulana 
 Fazlul Karim -- condemned the attack but expressed 
 skepticism about the claim of responsibility for carrying 
 out the blast by the "secret organization of al-Qaeda in 
 Europe" saying it might be an arranged drama by anti-Islamic 
 forces. A few leftist organizations also issued statements 
 condemning the London bombings. 
 
4. (U) Visitors to the British High Commissioner's 
 residence to sign the condolence book included government 
 ministers, leaders of different political parties, including 
 Nizami and Aminee, and the leaders of JI's student wing 
 Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS). 
 
5. (SBU) Comment: The Bangladeshi leaders belonging to 
 different ideologies were quick to condemn the London 
 bombings. Their quick condemnation may reflect growing 
 sensitivity following years of counter-terrorism campaigns 
 by the US and its allies on the diplomatic front. The 
 Islamist leaders, however, seem to be preoccupied with the 
 thought of a conspiracy theory against Islam and are yet to 
 trust the West, even at the moment of a tragedy like the 
 London bombings. End Comment. 
 
CHAMMAS