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