Ambassador Moriarty warned about Tarique Rahman’s US visa in 2008 over serious corruption

Staff Correspondent

On November 3, 2008, the US Ambassador to Dhaka, James F. Moriarty, sent a secret cable to the US State Department, warning the US against issuing a visa to Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, on the grounds that he was accused of serious corruption. The following is a transcript of James F. Moriarty’s message for the benefit of readers:

Visa | Serious Corruption | 212(F) (Rahman, Tariq)

Date: 3rd November 2008, 10:08 AM (Monday)
Canonical ID: 08DHAKA1143_a

Original Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Current Classification: CONFIDENTIAL

Management restrictions: Not specified
Number of characters: 9108

Executive Order: Not Determined
Locator: Text Online
B. 04 STATE 45499

Classified by: Ambassador James F. Moriarty
Reason: 1.4 (b) and (d)

1. (C) Summary: The Embassy is seeking a Security Advisory Opinion pursuant to Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Presidential Proclamation 7750 regarding the suspension of entry into the United States of Tarique Rahman (aka Tarique), born in Bangladesh, date of birth November 20, 1967.

The Embassy believes that Tarique Rahman has engaged in serious political corruption that has had a serious negative impact on the national interests of the United States as set forth in Section 4 of the Proclamation—particularly the stability of democratic institutions and the objectives of United States foreign assistance.

The embassy is not requesting the application of the 212(F) decision in the case of Tarique Rahman’s wife, Dr. Zobaida Rahman, their daughter, Zaima Rahman, or his mother, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia.

The information requested in Reference ‘A’ is provided below.

Background 2. (C): Bangladesh is a developing country where systemic corruption has permeated almost all aspects of public life. For four consecutive years until 2006, Bangladesh topped Transparency International’s index as the most corrupt country in the world. After months of political unrest, the caretaker government that came to power in January 2007 pledged to eradicate corruption and free the country from the kleptocratic (plundering) curse that had long gripped the country. According to experts, corruption is reducing Bangladesh’s economic growth by about two percent every year.

3. (C): Although the caretaker government’s efforts have achieved some success, the deep politicization of government administration remains a persistent problem. There is strong public doubt about the government’s willingness or ability to hold corrupt leaders accountable. The vacuum of distrust created by concerns about corruption is hindering private investment and weakening public confidence in a democratic future.

Tarique Rahman 4. (C): Tarique Rahman, the infamous and much-discussed son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, was released from prison on bail on September 3. He left Bangladesh for the UK for medical treatment on September 11. Tarique, who serves as the Senior Joint Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is a very high-profile political figure.

Tarique Rahman, notorious for openly and routinely demanding bribes in government procurement and political appointments, is a symbol of kleptocratic rule and violent politics in Bangladesh. He was granted bail despite being indicted on multiple charges including corruption, extortion, bribery, embezzlement and tax evasion. Using his political connections, which extended to the country’s highest court, he influenced the judicial process and thwarted the caretaker government’s attempts to block his bail.

We believe Tarek has multiple passports. One of them is a new passport that was issued to him by the UK in September. Another passport contains a five-year multiple-entry B1/B2 visa issued on May 11, 2005. It is believed that this passport is currently in government custody.

5. (C) The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), empowered by the current interim government, has filed serious charges against Tarique Rahman. According to the charges, Tarique has illegally acquired hundreds of millions of dollars in wealth. There are multiple extortion cases against him, based on the testimony of many influential businessmen. In one case, it is alleged that Tarique threatened to close down the company if Amin Ahmed, the owner of Al-Amin Construction, was not paid US$150,000. Several other businessmen, including Mohammad Aftab Uddin Khan of Reza Construction Limited, Mir Zahir Hossain of Mir Akhtar Hossain Limited and Harun Ferdousi, have filed procedural charges of multi-million dollar extortion. The ACC has also filed charges against Tarique for concealing illegal assets, and the National Board of Revenue has filed a tax evasion case.

(Note: The judicial system in Bangladesh is evidence-based, not evidence-based. Evidence-based documents are usually used as the main material in cases.)

6. (C): Tarek’s corruption was not limited to extortion of local businessmen. The ACC has also uncovered information about several bribery scandals involving local and foreign organizations— A. Siemens: According to a witness, bribes were delivered from Siemens to Tarek and his brother Koko. Tarek received bribes of about 2 percent of all Siemens contracts in Bangladesh, which were paid in US dollars. The case is currently being investigated by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI.

B. Harbin Company: Chinese construction company Harbin Company paid Tarek $750,000 in bribes to set up a plant in Bangladesh. An associate of Tarek deposited the money in Citibank in Singapore.

C. Monem Construction: ACC investigating officers said Monem Construction paid a bribe of $450,000 to Tarek to get the contract.

4. Kabir murder case: The ACC has evidence that Tarek took a bribe of Tk 21 crore (about $3.1 million) to exonerate Bashundhara Group chairman’s son Sanvir Sobhan from a murder case. Sanvir was accused in the murder of Bashundhara Group director Humayun Kabir.

7. (C): Apart from bribery and extortion, Tarique Rahman was also involved in a major embezzlement scheme. According to the ACC, he embezzled around Tk 2 million from the Zia Orphanage Trust Fund with the help of his associates. As a co-signatory of the trust, he used the money to buy land in his area and for BNP’s 2006 election campaign.

8. (C): Tariq’s corrupt activities have seriously harmed the interests of the United States as set forth in the Presidential Proclamation. These activities have eroded public confidence in government and undermined the stability of democratic institutions.

Tariq’s actions have undermined U.S. financial assistance programs to promote law reform, good governance, and prevent abuse of the judiciary. His corruption has also directly harmed U.S. business interests and ruined many investment opportunities.

9. (C): Tarique Rahman’s corruption has threatened all three of the US Embassy’s core goals in Dhaka—democracy, development, and counterterrorism. His actions have weakened the rule of law, discouraged foreign investment, and created a fertile environment for extremists.

In short, Tarique Rahman and his close associates are responsible for many of the problems that exist in Bangladesh.

10. (C) The imposition of Section 212(F) against Tarique Rahman would support the United States’ strong stance against corruption in Bangladesh. The Embassy recommends that Tarique Rahman be declared a public corruption suspect under Section 1(c) of Presidential Proclamation 7750.

— Moriarty

WikiLeaks source