This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

120049Z Feb 06

UNCLAS DHAKA 000716 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
CORRECTED COPY 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/NEA-SA, DS/DSS/CC, DS/IP/ITA, SA/PB, S/CT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC PTER BG
SUBJECT:  MORE PROTESTS PLANNED AGAINST DANISH AND EUROPEAN 
EMBASSIES OVER CARTOONS 
 
REF: STATE 20453, STATE 18503 
 
¶1. (U) According to police sources, several Islamic groups 
have planned to organize a protest around the Baitul 
Mukarram National Mosque on Friday, February 10 at 1500 (after 
Friday prayers) followed by a march towards the Danish, 
French, and Italian embassies and the EC Mission. The protests 
are in response to the cartoons published in Danish and other 
western newspapers depicting the Prophet Mohammad.  Groups 
expected to participate in the march include the Islamic 
Constitutional Movements, Hizbut Tahrir Bangladesh, Bangladesh 
Khelafat Movements, Jamat e Ulama Islam, National Committee 
for Stopping Aggression, Khelafat Majlish, Nejame Islami, 
Islamic Okiyo Andolan, Kaumi Education Board, International 
Khatme Nabuyat Bangladesh (better known for its anti-Ahmadiyya 
agitation), and Amra Dhaka Bashi. 
 
¶2. (U) The demonstration will originate from the downtown 
Dhaka Baitul Mukarram mosque (approximately eight KM from the 
diplomatic enclave where the U.S. Embassy and emboff 
residences are located).  Dhaka Metropolitan Police have taken 
special security measures to protect the enclave and have 
stated that they will not allow any processions or 
demonstrators near the enclave. Police expect several thousand 
participants in the demonstration. 
¶3. (U) There have been other smaller demonstrations in 
downtown Dhaka since the announcement of the publishing of the 
cartoon. 
¶4. (SBU) On February 8, Home Minister of State Babar assured 
Charge that the BDG understands the importance of protecting 
diplomatic precautions.  The demonstrators, he underscored, 
would not be allowed to enter the diplomatic enclave. 
¶5. (SBU) RSO Actions: Post has worked with the Danish Embassy 
to ensure that all possible security measures are in place. 
RSO staff visited the Danish Embassy and observed that upwards 
of 80 armed police are now stationed there in addition to a 
mobile vehicle patrol.  The Danish Embassy uses contract 
guards for their facility and residences. Furthermore, 
pedestrian screening procedures by a local contract guard seem 
to be adequate.  The Danish official responsible for security 
was handed all possible telephone numbers for local 
authorities should there be a problem and phone numbers for 
the RSO staff should they not be able to reach local 
authorities. 
 
¶6. (SBU) RSO, in addition to Consular, has issued a security 
notice advising post personnel to avoid the affected areas of 
downtown due to the protests.  While police have traditionally 
kept protesters from marching into the diplomatic enclave, RSO 
assets will monitor and advise RSO and Post 1 should the 
protesters manage to threaten the perimeter. 
 
¶7.  (U) Point of contact is Regional Security Office Dhaka, 
8802-885-5500 X2228. 
 
CHAMMAS