US embassy cable - 05DHAKA4108

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 004108 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SA AND DS/IP AND DS/ITA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PTER, CASC, BG 
SUBJECT: ZIA CUTS SHORT CHINA TRIP TO RETURN TO RATTLED 
BANGLADESH 
 
REF: A. DHAKA 4089 
     B. STATE 152460 
 
Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, reasons para 1.4 b, d. 
 
1. (S) SUMMARY: PM Zia is returning early to Bangladesh to 
cope with the aftermath of the 503 blasts that injured 191 
and killed two.  The BNP and the AL have blamed each other 
for the blasts, and the Awami League-led opposition has 
called protests for August 19 and a nationwide general strike 
for August 20.  Bangladeshis are rattled but life is almost 
back to normal.  According to NSI, there is "no doubt" that 
JMB members "with external training" (read India) conducted 
the blasts.  We have urged the BDG and the Awami League to 
exercise restraint.  END SUMMARY 
 
2. (SBU) According to police and media reports, 503 blasts 
rattled 63 of Bangladesh's 64 districts, injuring 191 and 
killing two.  As many as 18 unexploded devices were 
recovered, including one in the 64th district, and as many as 
85 persons have been arrested. 
 
3. (SBU) On August 18, local media reported that two suspects 
made confessions in Satkhira district court, with one saying 
that he had received his bombs from Moniruzzaman, a member of 
the Ahle Hadith movement.  Moniruzzaman was reportedly 
arrested and has also confessed. 
 
Political Reaction 
------------------ 
 
4. (SBU) PM Zia issued a statement from China, where she was 
on a five-day official visit, that condemned the blasts as 
heinous "acts of terrorism," extended her condolences to the 
victims, and described the attackers as "enemies" of 
Bangladesh bent on creating panic.  She urged Bangladeshis to 
remain calm. 
 
5. (SBU) At an early evening rally in downtown Dhaka, BNP SYG 
and Local Government Minister Mannan Bhuyian promised that 
the blast perpetrators would be identified in four days.  "We 
must be cautious of the forces who want to come to power by 
any means and who don't believe in the politics of 
development and democracy," he said, in an apparent allusion 
to the Awami League (AL).  Zia intimate Health Minister 
Khondaker Hussain added in the same vein: "Those who try to 
tarnish the country's image have committed this heinous 
crime.  They want to want to create political issues as they 
don't have a genuine issue against the government."  Law 
Minister Moudud Ahmed said: "This is nothing but an immature 
political game." 
 
6. (SBU) At a separate rally, Jamaat Islami put the blame 
more squarely on the AL.  Social Welfare Minister Ali Mujahid 
said the opposition conducted the blasts out of jealousy that 
Bangladesh is advancing economically, while JI Senior 
Assistant Secretary M. Kamaaruzzaman said that those who had 
failed to gain public support for their 14-point reform 
proposals planned the blasts to destroy Bangladesh's 
democracy. 
 
7. (SBU) AL President Sheikh Hasina, meanwhile, alleged that 
the BNP, PM son Tarek Rahman, and BDG security services 
orchestrated the blasts because they realize they will lose 
the next election.  Only the BDG, she said, had the capacity 
to organize blasts on a national scale.  AL SYG Abdul Jalil 
added: "Fundamentalist forces with direct patronization of 
the BNP-Jamaat led ruling coalition committed the crimes to 
destroy the country's democratic process and movement by the 
secular forces." 
 
Zia Returning to Bangladesh 
--------------------------- 
 
8. (C) After being told earlier in the day by NSI DG General 
Haider and other senior BDG officials that PM Zia would stick 
to her five-day schedule in China, PMO Political Secretary 
Haris Chowdhury told us late August 18 that Zia has decided 
to return to Dhaka on August 19.  Chowdhury said that the BDG 
is "confused" about the blasts since Jamaat ul Mujahidin 
(JMB), the banned group which signed leaflets found at the 
blast scenes, is too small to conduct such a campaign on a 
national scale.  He asserted the BDG would make every effort 
to bring the attackers to justice, remarking that it is clear 
who benefits from the current situation (i.e., the Awami 
League and/or India). 
 
Protests 
-------- 
 
9. (SBU) The AL called demonstrations for August 19 and a 
countrywide general strike (hartal) on August 20 to protest 
BDG responsibility for the blasts.  The Islamist umbrella 
group IOJ, a BNP coalition partner, has also announced a 
rally for August 19.  Post's standard hartal policy of 
confining USG personnel to the diplomatic enclave will be in 
effect. 
 
Business Concerns 
----------------- 
 
10. (SBU) The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters 
Association expressed concern that the attacks would hurt 
business since foreign buyers were already voicing safety 
concerns about Bangladesh.  One major garment exporter 
(pro-AL) told us August 18 that several of his foreign buyers 
have canceled trips to Dhaka.  The Dhaka Stock Exchange fell 
sharply after the blasts but recovered most of the lost 
ground by the end of the day. 
 
Urging Restraint/Offering Assistance 
------------------------------------ 
 
11. (S) On August 18, Charge telephoned NSI DG General Haider 
to offer condolences and repeat the USG offer of assistance 
to blast investigators (ref b).  Regarding the latter, Haider 
undertook to discuss it with relevant ministries and get back 
to us.  Asked if PM Zia were considering an early return from 
China, he said that the BDG has "everything under control" 
and that she would stick to her original schedule.  Haider 
confirmed that explosive devices were local manufactured with 
identical components, and that two suspects have confessed in 
court.  JMB members with "external training" are responsible 
"beyond a doubt" for the blasts, he said. 
 
12. (C) Charge made the same points in separate telephone 
conversations with Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin, just 
before he departed for a SAARC meeting in Islamabad, PMO 
Parliamentary Affairs Advisor S.Q. Chowdhury, and Home 
Minister of State Babar.  Chowdhury objected to Indian High 
Commissioner Veena Sikri's reported statement attributing the 
blasts to Islamic fundamentalists, which he maintained was 
unhelpful.  He took the point on the need for rhetorical 
restraint, but urged Charge to ask her diplomatic colleagues 
to do the same. 
 
13. (C) In response to Charge's appeal for restraint, Saber 
Hussain Chowdhury, Hasina's political secretary, asserted 
that at the BNP rally yesterday BDG ministers said that 
Sheikh Hasina should be arrested and interrogated.  He 
complained that the BDG, as it did after the August 21 attack 
on the AL leadership, has set a negative tone that will again 
undermine any investigation.  AL members, he continued, have 
been attacked throughout the country for their alleged role 
in the blasts.  Under these circumstances, he said, how can 
the AL trust the BDG or the intelligence services to bring 
the attackers to justice? 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
14. (C) The reflexive slanging match between the BNP and the 
AL is disappointing but familiar.  However, unlike August 21, 
the BDG this time is clearly concerned about the political 
and security implications of the nationwide blasts, and we 
should have a sense soon whether it is pursuing this 
investigation with genuine vigor, or whether it will again 
meander without achieving, or wanting, concrete results.  The 
AL, for its part, will try to exploit the blasts and the 
BDG's handling of this major embarrassment to finally build 
some political traction against the BNP.  Despite doubts 
about JMB's capabilities, it is emerging as the group poised 
to take the blame for the blasts.  It also appears that at 
least some members of the loosely connected Ahlhe Hadith (Dr. 
Galib)-Bangla Bhai-JMB combine will be tried and convicted 
for the blasts. 
CHAMMAS