Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DHAKA4849
2005-09-26 12:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
BANGLADESH SAYS NO TO WESTERN-SPONSORED ELECTION
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 004849
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/26/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM BG BGD
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH SAYS NO TO WESTERN-SPONSORED ELECTION
CONFERENCE
REF: A. 9/7/05 CHAMMAS-GASTRIGHT EMAIL
B. 9/14/05 CHAMMAS-GASTRIGHT EMAIL
Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, Reason(s): 1.4 (b)
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 004849
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/26/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM BG BGD
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH SAYS NO TO WESTERN-SPONSORED ELECTION
CONFERENCE
REF: A. 9/7/05 CHAMMAS-GASTRIGHT EMAIL
B. 9/14/05 CHAMMAS-GASTRIGHT EMAIL
Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, Reason(s): 1.4 (b)
1.(SBU) On September 26, local newspapers prominently
reported MFA press guidance that the BDG has rejected the
proposal by the Western "Tuesday Group" embassies to hold an
election best practices conference in Dhaka early next year.
Foreign Affairs Advisor Reaz Rahman told Canadian High
Commissioner David Sproule and Norwegian Ambassador Aud Lise
Nordheim that the conference would be counterproductive,
interference in domestic politics, and unnecessary because
Bangladesh has demonstrated, he said, that it can hold free
and fair elections. The conference, he added, would give the
false impression that the BDG does not want and cannot
organize fair elections.
2. (C) Norwegian political officer Kristian Jervell told
poloff that MFA had briefed the press before the meeting,
which led to a "surreal" exchange between reporters and the
two ambassadors before the meeting had actually taken place.
The media did not report that former Filipino president Fidel
Ramos had agreed to be the conference's chief guest.
3. (C) On September 26, the Tuesday Group ambassadors met and
decided to draft a press release for September 28 that will
announce a postponement of the conference, regret the lost
opportunity for Bangladeshis to discuss electoral best
practices. state the Group will explore other options for
promoting free and fair elections, and underscore that the
Group (originally set up to monitor the 2001 election) will
monitor political developments closely.
4. (C) Comment: Rahman had previewed his negative position
several hours earlier in a separate meeting with Charge, who
reiterated that the USG supported the concept of a
conference. It is unlikely that the BDG will relent since
the political season is likely to get hotter, not calmer, as
we head toward the January 2007 election.
CHAMMAS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/26/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM BG BGD
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH SAYS NO TO WESTERN-SPONSORED ELECTION
CONFERENCE
REF: A. 9/7/05 CHAMMAS-GASTRIGHT EMAIL
B. 9/14/05 CHAMMAS-GASTRIGHT EMAIL
Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, Reason(s): 1.4 (b)
1.(SBU) On September 26, local newspapers prominently
reported MFA press guidance that the BDG has rejected the
proposal by the Western "Tuesday Group" embassies to hold an
election best practices conference in Dhaka early next year.
Foreign Affairs Advisor Reaz Rahman told Canadian High
Commissioner David Sproule and Norwegian Ambassador Aud Lise
Nordheim that the conference would be counterproductive,
interference in domestic politics, and unnecessary because
Bangladesh has demonstrated, he said, that it can hold free
and fair elections. The conference, he added, would give the
false impression that the BDG does not want and cannot
organize fair elections.
2. (C) Norwegian political officer Kristian Jervell told
poloff that MFA had briefed the press before the meeting,
which led to a "surreal" exchange between reporters and the
two ambassadors before the meeting had actually taken place.
The media did not report that former Filipino president Fidel
Ramos had agreed to be the conference's chief guest.
3. (C) On September 26, the Tuesday Group ambassadors met and
decided to draft a press release for September 28 that will
announce a postponement of the conference, regret the lost
opportunity for Bangladeshis to discuss electoral best
practices. state the Group will explore other options for
promoting free and fair elections, and underscore that the
Group (originally set up to monitor the 2001 election) will
monitor political developments closely.
4. (C) Comment: Rahman had previewed his negative position
several hours earlier in a separate meeting with Charge, who
reiterated that the USG supported the concept of a
conference. It is unlikely that the BDG will relent since
the political season is likely to get hotter, not calmer, as
we head toward the January 2007 election.
CHAMMAS