VZCZCXRO3858
RR RUEHCI
DE RUEHKA #4169 1911029
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101029Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9521
INFO RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7499
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1191
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 8602
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9201
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1487
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA
UNCLAS DHAKA 004169
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM BG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS KIBRIA FAMILY
REF: A. STATE 111808
B. DHAKA 3625
1. (U) On July 9, the Ambassador paid a call on the Kibria
family, the third in a series of five visits to families of
victims of political violence. Asma Kibria, Shah Kibria's
widow, son Reza (an academic formerly resident in Brisbane,
Australia), daughter Nazli, Reza's wife, and several
grandchildren were present.
2. (SBU) There were no new revelations. The Kibrias felt that
a trial under the caretaker government would be a fairer one.
They were hopeful that the latest petition to the High Court
for further investigation might be fruitful since the
government was ordered to show cause why the investigation
should not reopened. Nazli Kibria said that in December
there would be a 4-day walk from Dhaka to the place where her
father was murdered and that U.S. members of Congress may
participate.
3. (SBU) Mrs. Kibria said she had no plans "yet" to run for
MP in her husband's constituency and the son, Reza, said he
was considering running for a seat. They both stressed that
they were not Awami League (AL) members but their views on
the government and theories about the case were similar to
commonly held AL opinions.
4. (SBU) The Ambassador stressed the USG's neutrality in the
elections, and along with the international community would
work to promote fair and free elections. She applauded the
family for their quest for justice and their decision to work
within the Bangladeshi legal system, despite its flaws. The
Ambassador mentioned that U/S Burns had raised the case with
Home Affairs Minister Babar during the latter's visit to
Washington (Ref A).
5. (U) Media savvy, the Kibrias ensured extensive press
coverage of the visit, which was reported in all the major
English and Bangla language dailies. The coverage was
generally favorable, focusing on the Embassy's theme of
opposing political violence. The government, however,
remains sensitive to any perceived criticism by foreign
diplomats, and previously convoked the Ambassador over these
visits. (Ref B.)
BUTENIS