US Low Key About Bangladeshi Crackdown

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US Low Key About Bangladeshi Crackdown
June 14, 2008
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - When Bangladesh's military-backed government arrested more than 10,000 people, human rights activists denounced it as a political crackdown six months ahead of elections at the end of this year meant to restore elected government. In Washington, the Bush administration was largely silent.

In contrast to its loud and repeated criticism of the governments of Myanmar and Zimbabwe, which the United States believes are subverting democracy, the Bush administration says little about a makeshift government in Bangladesh that has curtailed citizens' democratic rights since taking power in January 2007.

That may be because the new leaders have brought a measure of stability to the poor, Muslim-majority nation, cracked down on corruption and, perhaps most importantly for the United States, acted tough against terrorism.

As long as Bangladesh's government is doing the things the U.S. wants it to do, "I don't think (the U.S.) is going to be terribly upset" about other issues, said Christine Fair, a South Asia specialist at the RAND Corp.

Human Rights Watch says many of those arrested in recent weeks are local-level political party leaders and activists. Bangladesh's police chief has denied accusations the arrests are politically motivated.


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