bdnews24.com :
A confidential cable from the US embassy in Dhaka to the State Department on Nov 3, 2008 recommended a ban on entry into USA of BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman.
“The Embassy believes Tarique is guilty of egregious political corruption that has had a serious adverse effect on US national interests mentioned in Section 4 of the proclamation, namely the stability of democratic institutions and US foreign assistance goals,” the cable marked ‘confidential’ said.
The Embassy however made it clear they did not wish to place a similar ban on Tarique Rahman’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, their daughter, Zaima, or Tarique’s mother Khaleda Zia, a former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The cable provided a detailed background to justify what it was recommending.
“Bangladesh is a developing nation in which systemic corruption has permeated all aspects of public life. Through 2006, the nation topped Transparency International’s ranking of the world’s most corrupt governments four years in a row.
“The current Caretaker Government, which assumed power in January 2007 after months of political unrest, pledged to root out corruption and rid the nation of the kleptocratic scourge that has so long plagued this poverty-stricken nation. In fact, corruption has lowered Bangladesh’s growth rate by two percent per year, according to experts.
“Cynicism about the Government’s willingness or ability to hold corrupt leaders accountable remains high. Concerns about corruption continue to create a vacuum of trust that limits private sector investment and undermines public confidence in a democratic future.”
The cable described Tarique Rahman as “the notorious
and widely feared son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia”. It talks of his release on bail and departure from Bangladesh to seek medical treatment in the UK on September 11, 2008.
And then what the cable said about Tarique was a damning indictment of the former prime minister’s son.
“Notorious for flagrantly and frequently demanding bribes in connection with government procurement actions and appointments to political office, Tarique is a symbol of kleptocratic government and violent politics in Bangladesh.
A confidential cable from the US embassy in Dhaka to the State Department on Nov 3, 2008 recommended a ban on entry into USA of BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman.
“The Embassy believes Tarique is guilty of egregious political corruption that has had a serious adverse effect on US national interests mentioned in Section 4 of the proclamation, namely the stability of democratic institutions and US foreign assistance goals,” the cable marked ‘confidential’ said.
The Embassy however made it clear they did not wish to place a similar ban on Tarique Rahman’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, their daughter, Zaima, or Tarique’s mother Khaleda Zia, a former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The cable provided a detailed background to justify what it was recommending.
“Bangladesh is a developing nation in which systemic corruption has permeated all aspects of public life. Through 2006, the nation topped Transparency International’s ranking of the world’s most corrupt governments four years in a row.
“The current Caretaker Government, which assumed power in January 2007 after months of political unrest, pledged to root out corruption and rid the nation of the kleptocratic scourge that has so long plagued this poverty-stricken nation. In fact, corruption has lowered Bangladesh’s growth rate by two percent per year, according to experts.
“Cynicism about the Government’s willingness or ability to hold corrupt leaders accountable remains high. Concerns about corruption continue to create a vacuum of trust that limits private sector investment and undermines public confidence in a democratic future.”
The cable described Tarique Rahman as “the notorious
and widely feared son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia”. It talks of his release on bail and departure from Bangladesh to seek medical treatment in the UK on September 11, 2008.
And then what the cable said about Tarique was a damning indictment of the former prime minister’s son.
“Notorious for flagrantly and frequently demanding bribes in connection with government procurement actions and appointments to political office, Tarique is a symbol of kleptocratic government and violent politics in Bangladesh.
