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RR RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHNP RUEHPOD
DE RUEHKA #1267/01 2180729
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 060729Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001267 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO OPIC / LOREN RODWIN, SENIOR INVESTMENT 
OFFICER, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE FINANCE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EINV ECON BG
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH: COMMENTS REGARDING CALVERT SOCIAL INVESTMENT 
FOUNDATION 
 
REF: STATE 103089 
 
¶1.  Embassy Dhaka is pleased to respond to reftel's request for 
information regarding OPIC's potential support for CALVERT SOCIAL 
INVESTMENT FOUNDATION.  Post has no credible information concerning 
potential ties to terrorism, money laundering, corruption or 
violations of law by Activists for Social Alternatives, ASA 
(http://www.asabd.org/) or Bangladesh Unemployed Rehabilitation 
Organization, BURO (http://nirapad.org/buro.asp). 
 
¶2.  Bangladesh is well acquainted with NGOs in both the commercial 
and developmental areas, with estimates of over 20,000 NGOs already 
operating in the country.  In fact, the government of Bangladesh has 
created an "NGO Affairs Bureau" specifically to assist in dealing 
with NGOs in Bangladesh, http://www.ngoab.gov.bd/.  The rules and 
regulations concerning NGO activities and transfers of money to NGOs 
in Bangladesh are very specific, and Calvert should ensure that 
whatever format their engagement with ASA and BURO takes is in full 
compliance. 
 
¶3.  In terms of general security, NGOs have been specifically 
threatened by various groups, including most recently in notes 
accompanying the three bombs which went off in three train stations 
in Bangladesh on May 1, 2007.  Overall, however, NGOs continue to 
operate effectively throughout Bangladesh while taking appropriate 
and reasonable safety precautions. 
 
¶4.  Bangladesh has a long history of violent political protests, and 
in fact a state of emergency was declared in Bangladesh on January 
11, 2007 in response to escalating political violence in advance of 
the national parliamentary elections then scheduled for January 26, 
¶2007.  The election has now been postponed to late 2008; currently 
the situation remains very peaceful as, for the most part, the 
non-elected caretaker government enjoys popular support.  There is 
the potential for political violence in the run up to the 
anticipated 2008 elections and even before then as the political 
parties may press for earlier elections. 
 
¶5.  The AFL-CIO has filed a petition with the United States Trade 
Representative for the suspension of Generalized System of 
Preferences (GSP).  The USTR is currently reviewing the petition, 
and as of July 2007, has not decided whether to accept the petition 
 
DHAKA 00001267  002 OF 002 
 
 
or not.  It is post's understanding that a loss of GSP facilities 
would negatively impact OPIC's ability to provide services in 
Bangladesh. 
 
¶6.  Post's point of contact for further inquiries is Carter Wilbur, 
Economic Officer.  Email:  wilburcw@state.gov; Phone: (8802) 
885-5500 xt 2206; Fax:  (8802) 882-4008. 
 
PASI