US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3764

UNCLAS DHAKA 003764 
 
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: Indo-U.S. Defense Agreement; Dhaka 
 
 
Summary: Commenting on the Indo-U.S. Defense Agreement, an 
editorial article in the Islamic daily "Naya Diganta" says 
India will act as the subcontinent's police, under American 
influence.  Independent Bangla "Amar Desh' says that the 
U.S. has violated the principles of the Nuclear Suppliers 
Group. 
 
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Indo-U.S. Defense Agreement 
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"Black Shadow of Unrest On the Sky of South Asia." 
An op-ed page article in Islamic Bangla language newspaper 
"Naya Diganta" by Sirajul Hussein Khan opines (July 29): 
 
....The Indo-U.S. defense agreement will disrupt the balance 
of power in South Asia and India will emerge as a regional 
superpower in the region sitting on the wings of the U.S. 
In this situation, nuclear Pakistan may be able to preserve 
its security, but small nations in the subcontinent will be 
incapable of saving themselves.  The other five South Asian 
nations will be totally dependent on the U.S. for their 
security.  The situation will provide an opportunity for the 
U.S. to dominate over South Asia.  Three days after the 
signing of Indo-U.S. defense agreement, Pakistani Ambassador 
and former Army Chief Lt. General (retired) Jahangir Keramat 
informed Washington that if the U.S. does not supply 
Pakistan with an anti-missile system similar to that of 
India, Pakistan will find ways by itself.  That means a new 
arms race will begin with the disruption of the balance of 
power in South Asia.  Instead of improving the socio- 
economic situation of the region, endless money will be 
spent for the defense sector, which will push the 
subcontinent to destruction. 
 
The Indo-U.S. defense agreement speaks of cooperation in 
defense sector, including joint production of weapons, 
supplying India with an anti-missile system, transfer of 
nuclear and space technology.  These clearly indicate that 
one of the objectives of the agreement is to strengthen 
India militarily and pit it against China.  This will not 
bring any good for anybody.  It will hamper peace and 
progress in the world. 
 
The agreement clearly says that India has been employed to 
act as a police force for the neo-imperialist Americans in 
South Asia, Southeast Asia and a vast area of East Asia. 
The police force with a nuclear cap on its head will be like 
Israel.... The sky of South Asia has been overcast with 
black clouds of unrest. 
 
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"Provocation for Nuclear unrest" 
An Op-ed page article in independent Bangla language 
newspaper "Amar Desh' opines (8/3): 
The Indo-U.S. Defense Agreement has become controversial 
because the U.S. itself has violated principles of so-called 
Nuclear Suppliers Group.  This may encourage others of the 
group, especially Russia and China, to do the same.  In the 
future, Pakistan may seek similar assistance from these two 
countries.  The U.S.-sponsored Nuclear Suppliers Group is 
comprised of 44 countries that can provide raw material and 
technology for the development of nuclear energy. 
Principles of the group say that members will not provide 
raw materials or technology to any country which has not 
signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).  In 
addition to major European powers, Russia and China are also 
members of the group.  Following the example set by the 
U.S., other powers may also go against this principle for 
commercial and geo-strategic reasons. 
Chammas#