Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DHAKA6335
2005-12-22 10:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
PM ZIA AT BNP GRAND RALLY WARNS OPPOSITION
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 006335
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV BG
SUBJECT: PM ZIA AT BNP GRAND RALLY WARNS OPPOSITION
Classified By: A/POLECON Counselor D. Renz, Reason(s): 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 006335
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV BG
SUBJECT: PM ZIA AT BNP GRAND RALLY WARNS OPPOSITION
Classified By: A/POLECON Counselor D. Renz, Reason(s): 1.4 (d)
1. (SBU) Prime Minister Zia rallied an estimated 100,000 to
200,000 BNP faithful on Dec 22, at the Paltan Maidan outdoor
parade grounds, a normal crowd size by Bangladeshi political
rally standards. Zia criticized the opposition for not
accepting her call to resolve the national crises of bomb
attacks, and warned them to refrain from giving provocative
and misleading statements or "face treason charges," She
dismissed the opposition's demands for the BNP government to
step down, saying that the opposition should have confidence
in the people and let the people "give their verdict." PM
Zia said, according to reports, that the bombers would be
tried under a new law for quick trial and punishment, and
urged the people to help catch the remaining bombers.
2. (C) Ousted BNP member Abu Hena told poloff that many of
BNP faithful came to Dhaka "to voice their opposition to
terrorism, but the PM was more concerned about a particular
person (read Sheikh Hasina) than militant Islam." Another
BNP member told poloff that he was somewhat disappointed in
the speech as he expected to hear more about the future of
BNP/JI coalition.
3. (C) Awami League Whip Mohamed Faruk Khan told poloff that
Zia must be "feeling very weak that she has to go on the
offensive." He said that the internal strife within the BNP
must be so great so that she has to appear very strong to
hold the party together. He added that Zia is confusing
being against the BNP government and being against the state.
"It's our duty as the opposition to criticize the BNP
government," he said.
4. (C) Comment: PM Zia's threat to bring sedition (treason)
charges against the opposition if it continues to provoke
dissent is consistent with previous government actions to
discourage the press and opponents of certain questionable
judicial appointments. It is an oddly timed tactic, however,
as the government also made clear yesterday it has not
brought sedition charges against any of those involved in
JMB's campainge of violence against the government and
political institutions of Bangladesh. End comment
CHAMMAS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV BG
SUBJECT: PM ZIA AT BNP GRAND RALLY WARNS OPPOSITION
Classified By: A/POLECON Counselor D. Renz, Reason(s): 1.4 (d)
1. (SBU) Prime Minister Zia rallied an estimated 100,000 to
200,000 BNP faithful on Dec 22, at the Paltan Maidan outdoor
parade grounds, a normal crowd size by Bangladeshi political
rally standards. Zia criticized the opposition for not
accepting her call to resolve the national crises of bomb
attacks, and warned them to refrain from giving provocative
and misleading statements or "face treason charges," She
dismissed the opposition's demands for the BNP government to
step down, saying that the opposition should have confidence
in the people and let the people "give their verdict." PM
Zia said, according to reports, that the bombers would be
tried under a new law for quick trial and punishment, and
urged the people to help catch the remaining bombers.
2. (C) Ousted BNP member Abu Hena told poloff that many of
BNP faithful came to Dhaka "to voice their opposition to
terrorism, but the PM was more concerned about a particular
person (read Sheikh Hasina) than militant Islam." Another
BNP member told poloff that he was somewhat disappointed in
the speech as he expected to hear more about the future of
BNP/JI coalition.
3. (C) Awami League Whip Mohamed Faruk Khan told poloff that
Zia must be "feeling very weak that she has to go on the
offensive." He said that the internal strife within the BNP
must be so great so that she has to appear very strong to
hold the party together. He added that Zia is confusing
being against the BNP government and being against the state.
"It's our duty as the opposition to criticize the BNP
government," he said.
4. (C) Comment: PM Zia's threat to bring sedition (treason)
charges against the opposition if it continues to provoke
dissent is consistent with previous government actions to
discourage the press and opponents of certain questionable
judicial appointments. It is an oddly timed tactic, however,
as the government also made clear yesterday it has not
brought sedition charges against any of those involved in
JMB's campainge of violence against the government and
political institutions of Bangladesh. End comment
CHAMMAS