US Congressman defending war criminals

by Special Correspondent
June 1, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1477/us-congressman-defending-war-criminals

Former Illinois [United States] Congressman Marty Russo [Martin Anthony Russo] has received US$ 25 million from an Islamist politician and alleged war criminal in Bangladesh, named Mir Kashem Ali, through Russo's company named Cassidy & Associates for lobbying in favor of this Bangladeshi individual in saving him as well as his party [Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami] from being prosecuted by the War Crime Tribunal in Bangladesh.

Marty Russo was elected as a Democrat congressman to the United States House of Representatives from Illinois and served from January 3, 1975 to January 3, 1993. On December 15, 2010, Politico reported that Russo has accepted a "generous" buy-out and will be stepping down at the end of the year, as part of an overall shake-up. The firm, which helped pioneer earmark lobbying, faces a Republican House and Senate Republicans who have banned the practice."

Ex-congressman Marty Russo enjoys excellent connection with the current US administration as well as President Barack Obama.

On its website, Cassidy & Associates says: "In thirty-five years, we've seen plenty of change in Washington.

"Founded in 1975, Cassidy & Associates is a premier government relations firm with a solid foundation grounded in our history. But a big part of that history has been our capacity to adapt to the changing environment to help our clients succeed.

"Our clients are our number one priority and we work hard to develop deep relationships that last over time. We've served many of our clients as their trusted advisor in Washington for over twenty-five years.

"We also love the energy that comes from getting to know a new client – understanding their issues and developing a tailored strategy to help them capitalize on an opportunity or manage a threat.

"Whether the client turns to us on short notice when facing a public policy crisis or chooses us as a new Washington partner – we value each and every opportunity."

It is learnt that, an agreement was signed between Cassidy & Associates and Bangladeshi politician and leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Mir Kashim Ali on May 10, 2010 in Washington DC for six month's lobbyist service of the US firm. Under this agreement, an amount of US$ 25 million was paid as upfront payment from Citi Bank NA through wire transfer to Cassidy & Associates' account number 30717248.

Main reason behind payment of such amount as lobbyist fees is to use the influence of Cassidy & Associates as well as former Congressman Marty Russo in putting pressure on Bangladesh government in salvaging Mir Kashem Ali as well as other leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami from being prosecuted for their involvement in war crimes in Bangladesh.

It may be mentioned here that, Mir Kashim Ali is the top policymaker of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited and runs a number of Islamist NGOs in the country. He also owns a vernacular daily newspaper as well as a private television channel. He was holding important post in Al-Badr Militia during the War of Independence of Bangladesh in 1971, and was continuing numerous forms of repressions as well as rape, murder and brutalities on Hindu communities during the war. He also was a leader of Islamic Chattra Shangha, student front of Jamaat-e-Islami.

It may be mentioned here that, during the war of independence in 1971, thousands of Hindu girls and women, including minors were brutally raped and murdered by Pakistani occupation forces as well as their local collaborators, which were led by members of Jamaat-e-Islami and Al-Badr. Hindu properties were set on fire and they were forced to migrate to neighboring India for escaping the notoriety of the anti liberation forces as well as Islamist allies of Pakistani occupation army in Bangladesh.

Central Bank in Bangladesh has already started investigating the case of transferring substantial amount of foreign currency by Mir Kashim Ali from a foreign bank, which falls under the existing Anti-money Laundering Act of the country.

The current government in Bangladesh initiated trial of war criminals by forming War Crime Tribunal in 2010. A number of top ranking leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, have already been arrested on allegation of being involved in various forms of crimes during the war in 1971. But, surprisingly, the government or the Tribunal did not initiate any action in arresting Mir Kashim Ali so-far for his alleged involvement in war crimes.

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