Cablegate: Media Reaction: Aftermath of the London Blast;
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS DHAKA 003296
SIPDIS
FOR I/FW, B/G, IIP/G/NEA-SA, B/VOA/N (BANGLA SERVICE) STATE
FOR SA/PAB, SA/PPD (LSCENSNY, SSTRYKER), SA/RA, INR/R/MR,
AND PASS TO USAID FOR ANE/ASIA/SA/B (WJOHNSON)
CINCPAC FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR, J51 (MAJ TURNER), J45
(MAJ NICHOLLS)
USARPAC FOR APOP-IM (MAJ HEDRICK)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR OIIP OPRC KPAO PREL ETRD PTER ASEC BG OCII
SUBJECT: Media Reaction: Aftermath of the London Blast;
Dhaka
Summary: Criticizing attacks on Muslims in Britain following
the London blast, two Bangla newspapers urged the world
community to ensure a fear-free situation for Muslims.
-----------------------------
Aftermath of the London Blast
-----------------------------
"Attacks on Mosques and Muslims"
Anti-West Bangla language newspaper "Inqilab" editorially
comments (7/12):
A section of human rights activists shouts abroad at real or
imaginary atrocities on minority people and violations of
human rights. But they remain silent over the attacks on
Muslims in various countries, including Britain. Muslims in
Britain, together with other communities, expressed sorrow
for the victims of the London blast and sought salvation of
the souls who were killed. Yet, Muslims have become the
target of attacks. Nobody has yet been arrested for
attacking Muslims or mosques. It seems that the entire plot
was for killing Muslims. Following the blast, British Prime
Minister Tony Blair told the BBC that security alone cannot
save a country from attacks. Attacks on Muslims only on the
basis of suspicion instead of identifying perpetrators and
putting them out of action will create more unrest. We hope
that human rights activists all over the world will resist
motivated and planned attacks on Muslims. We also hope that
world leaders will find out the real cause of the crisis and
take expeditious measures to ensure a fear-free situation
for Muslims.
-----------
"A Test for the British"
Independent Bangla language newspaper "Amar Desh"
editorially comments (7/12):
We hope that the British government will identify those who
were involved in this terrorist attack and proceed with
caution so that sectarian and racist violence does not
increase. It is a test for the White British.
Thousands of British people demonstrated on Saturday
demanding the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. In light of
that demand we would like to say that it is also necessary
to identify the source of international terrorism. We think
that the world community, irrespective of race and religion,
must take a united stand against international terrorism.
Chammas