US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3803

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 003803 
 
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, Terrorism 
SUBJECT: Media Reaction: GWOT: London Bombings, Central 
Asia; Dhaka 
 
Summary: Commenting on anti-terrorism measures taken by the 
British administration, editorials say that civil liberty is 
the first casualty. 
 
Islamic "Naya Diganta" says that Central Asia is turning 
into a playground of competing alliances. 
 
------------------------ 
1. GWOT: London Bombings 
------------------------ 
"Ghost of Terror on Blair's shoulder" 
Pro-government Bangla language newspaper "Amar Desh" 
editorially comments (8/7): 
 
Britain is now seeing the specter of terrorism. The Last 
vestiges of human rights and liberalism are being eliminated 
with measures taken by the British administration. British 
Prime Minister Tony Blair has threatened to make British 
laws tougher. He said, "Rules of game are changing." 
 
What an irony that George Orwell's Britain is going to be a 
country of Big Brother. Orwell's real name was Arthur Blair. 
Satirist Blair's fear is going to be materialized in another 
Blair, the British Prime Minister. Not only Asians and 
Muslims will be the victims, one day the British people will 
be subjected to "Big Brother's Watch." The McCarthyism of 
the fifties has left behind an example. 
 
-------------- 
"Britain's new approach: Liberal traditions the victim" 
Independent English language newspaper "Daily Star" 
editorially comments (8/7): 
 
It is a sad day for the UK and for the rest of us as well 
when Prime Minister Tony Blair unveils a series of proposals 
intended to counter terrorism in the country, but which go 
decidedly against the grain of the great tradition of 
British liberalism. 
The UK has long been known for its liberal and humane 
approach to those who are stalked by fear of oppression and 
persecution in their home countries aside from welcoming 
immigrants in general. For centuries, the UK has been a 
shining example for the world when it came to being the last 
refuge of those seeking asylum. Of all of the European 
countries, the UK was the one that had done the best job of 
creating a thriving, vibrant multi-racial and multicultural 
society. 
We would thus like to raise a word of caution that the 
proposed measures not be enacted until after deep 
deliberation on the physical and psychological impact they 
are likely to have. 
And while the British authorities have acted in an exemplary 
manner so far, we would like to also sound the warning that 
they must continue to keep distinct Muslims as a whole from 
the fractional minority who would commit acts of terror. 
The specter of terrorism has created a dilemma for free 
societies the world over: how to protect one's citizens and 
at the same time safeguard civil liberties and liberalism. 
This is a global problem, not just one the British are 
facing. The real tragedy is that it seems as though the axe 
is falling on liberalism everywhere. 
We are all diminished today, but we must strive to recover 
the status quo-ante of sanity as nearly as possible. 
Liberalism must triumph. 
------------ 
"The British Backlash" 
Independent English language newspaper "Bangladesh Observer" 
editorially comments (8/7): 
Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced that he is 
planning to refuse asylum to people who have links with 
terrorism and also deport people who incite violence. 
Theoretically, there is nothing wrong with taking action 
against people who are a party to violence either in the UK 
or abroad. But there is apprehension that the new drive may 
be used rather sweepingly against all asylum-seekers and 
minorities. 
While most Britons feels that it is the unjust occupation of 
Iraq that has propelled the young Britons to die for a more 
just world Mr. Blair is looking the other way --- across the 
Atlantic for inspiration. If he is taking a cue from his 
ally George Bush he will be committing another blunder. 
Curtailing of civil liberties as suggested by General Parvez 
Musharaff of Pakistan is no solution. It will only make 
Britain more like the General's country. Blair surely 
doesn't want that. The British Prime minister must 
understand, however tragic the London bombings, there can be 
no solution without understanding the reasons that create 
the problem in the first place. 
------------ 
Central Asia 
------------ 
"Anti-Americanism in Central Asia" 
An editorial page article in Islamic Bangla language 
newspaper "Naya Diganta" opines (8/7): 
Recently two remarkable incidents occurred in the 
international arena. One is the Russia-China joint 
declaration and the Kazakhstan conference of the Shanghai 
Cooperation Organization (SCO). These two incidents show 
that many leaders of the world are no longer tolerating the 
big brotherly attitude of the U.S. For this reason, a new 
anti-American alliance is being formed to resist the 
unipolar global system of the U.S.... 
In mid July, the SCO said that a timetable must be announced 
to end the American military presence in Central Asia. The 
active phase of the campaign against terrorism has ended in 
Afghanistan. Therefore, member states believe that it has 
become necessary for them to announce a deadline for the 
withdrawal of military presence and infrastructure from 
these countries. 
After 9/11, the U.S. established a military base in 
Kyrgyzstan to launch aggression on Afghanistan. U.S. 
military officials have repeatedly said that they want to 
stay in Central Asia. On the other hand, the SCO demands the 
withdrawal of the U.S. base from Central Asia. That means it 
wants take charge of the security of the region. 
The U.S. is also trying to form an alternative alliance in 
Central Asia under the program of the U.S.-Caspian Guard. 
Its objective is to guard the Baku-Tblisi-Chaihan oil 
pipeline. Under the program, U.S. troops will be deployed in 
the Caspian region and a defense alliance will be formed 
involving Azerbaijan, Georgia, some Central Asian states and 
Turkey. Russia and China will be kept outside the alliance. 
A game is being played in Central Asia. Is the U.S. going to 
be beaten in the game? If that happens, the madness of the 
U.S. will be partly responsible for that. 
 Chammas#