ORIGIN OCS-03
R 131338Z NOV 02
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY DHAKA
UNCLAS STATE 228327
SUBJECT: XXX PARENTAL CHILD ABDUCTION: REQUEST FOR POST
ASSISTANCE
1. This is an action request, see paragraphs 3-5.
2. Summary: Department wishes to inform post of the impending
travel to Bangladesh of left-behind parent XXXXXX and
requests that post extend all possible assistance to her and
her [American citizen] children. Department additionally authorizes post to issue passports for the children without the signature of
their father, and requests that post perform an interim welfare check on the children. End Summary.
3. CA/OCS/CI wishes to inform post that left-behind parent
XXXXX intends to travel to Bangladesh to take
physical custody of her children and return to the United
States at the first available opportunity. Department is
aware of a previous case (XXXXX) in which the left-behind mother obtained the assistance of the Bangladesh National Womens' Lawyers Association (BNWLA), and through them, of the local police, who participated in the retrieval of the children. Department would appreciate post's assistance in facilitating Mrs. XXXX's contact with
the BNWLA and any other assistance possible within the
parameters of U.S. law.
3. Department has reviewed the circumstances of the XXX
case and authorizes post to issue passports for XXX,
XXX, and XXX (Bio data available in reftel) on
the basis of XXX's single signature and without
the approval of the taking parent, XXX. Mrs.
XXX is currently in possession of a Writ of Attachment
issued by the Dallas County District Court in Texas, ordering
the return of the children to their mother's custody. In
addition, the children's father is in the United States and
subject to a bond prohibiting his departure pending a hearing
on kidnapping charges. The court order, Mr. XXX's
present bond status, and the children's current welfare
(reftel) meet the criteria for the exigent circumstances
exception to the two-parent signature requirement. Post
should issue passports for the three children, provided they
are otherwise qualified.
4. In the interim, Department requests post to perform a
telephonic or personal welfare check on the XXX children,
to verify that their location and condition remains the same
as described reftel. According to Mrs. XXX, her contact
with the children has worsened since Post's visit, and she
has been unable to verify the children's continued presence
at the apartment.
5. Department thanks post for continued assistance in this
difficult case. Please remember to slug all cable responses
for CA/OCS/CI KLFlachsbart, and email a copy to POC Kathryn
Flachsbart.
POWELL
NNNN
