Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DHAKA2484
2006-04-30 06:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHKA #2484 1200602 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 300602Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7441 INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9068 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1093 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7409
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 002484
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2007
TAGS: PREL BG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL ON PM ZIA
REF: DHAKA 002440
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Butenis, reason para 1.4 d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 002484
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2007
TAGS: PREL BG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL ON PM ZIA
REF: DHAKA 002440
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Butenis, reason para 1.4 d.
1. (SBU) On April 26, Ambassador paid a 20-minute courtesy
call on Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. PMO Additional
Secretary Manirul Islam, two other PMO officials, MFA DG
SIPDIS
Americas Shahidul Islam, and P/E counselor (notetaker) were
also present.
2. (C) Ambassador opened by presenting to Zia a thank-you
note from FLOTUS for a present from Zia she had just
received, and then congratulated the PM on the arrest of the
last two members of Jamaatul Mujahidin Bangladesh's senior
leadership body (reftel). Zia replied that the arrests were
welcomed by all Bangladeshis, and agreed on the importance of
following up new information developed as the result of these
arrests to pursue the investigation to the very end.
3. (SBU) Zia affirmed her commitment to promoting education
for women, saying she began in her first government in 1991
by providing free education for all girls up to grade 12. In
her second government starting in 2001, she extended this to
the intermediate and then the senior levels, as well as
introducing a cash stipend to encourage rural families to
send their girls to school. Her government, Zia stated, has
also made major progress in improving access to sanitation
and potable water.
4. (C) Asked to characterize U.S.-Bangladesh relations to
give context to the Ambassador's upcoming consultations in
Washington, Zia stated our relations are "very good" and that
the BDG seeks to work together with the USG in key areas like
counter-terrorism. Ambassador noted the USG would positively
consider BDG requests for further CT assistance. "If we
need, we will tell you," Zia said. The BDG, she added, would
welcome donor help to improve Bangladesh's electrical
generating capability since current shortages are also
affecting the supply of water. Prompted by her Additional
Secretary, she added that the Trade Act, to give Bangladesh
SIPDIS
duty-free access to the U.S. garment market, is another
priority.
5. (C) Asked to look ahead to the elections, Zia affirmed
that BNP "wants free and fair since it helps us more than
others." She recalled that Jamaat Islami and the Awami
League had worked together against her party in 1996, so AL's
refusal to participate in a reform dialogue with the BNP if
JI is present "is a lame excuse." She praised the current
caretaker and electoral systems as successful and proven; if
reforms were necessary, why hadn't the AL pursued them when
it was the government? In response to the Ambassador's
query, Zia acknowledged there is an existing electoral code
of conduct which the BNP supports as a matter of policy.
CHAMMAS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2007
TAGS: PREL BG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL ON PM ZIA
REF: DHAKA 002440
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Butenis, reason para 1.4 d.
1. (SBU) On April 26, Ambassador paid a 20-minute courtesy
call on Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. PMO Additional
Secretary Manirul Islam, two other PMO officials, MFA DG
SIPDIS
Americas Shahidul Islam, and P/E counselor (notetaker) were
also present.
2. (C) Ambassador opened by presenting to Zia a thank-you
note from FLOTUS for a present from Zia she had just
received, and then congratulated the PM on the arrest of the
last two members of Jamaatul Mujahidin Bangladesh's senior
leadership body (reftel). Zia replied that the arrests were
welcomed by all Bangladeshis, and agreed on the importance of
following up new information developed as the result of these
arrests to pursue the investigation to the very end.
3. (SBU) Zia affirmed her commitment to promoting education
for women, saying she began in her first government in 1991
by providing free education for all girls up to grade 12. In
her second government starting in 2001, she extended this to
the intermediate and then the senior levels, as well as
introducing a cash stipend to encourage rural families to
send their girls to school. Her government, Zia stated, has
also made major progress in improving access to sanitation
and potable water.
4. (C) Asked to characterize U.S.-Bangladesh relations to
give context to the Ambassador's upcoming consultations in
Washington, Zia stated our relations are "very good" and that
the BDG seeks to work together with the USG in key areas like
counter-terrorism. Ambassador noted the USG would positively
consider BDG requests for further CT assistance. "If we
need, we will tell you," Zia said. The BDG, she added, would
welcome donor help to improve Bangladesh's electrical
generating capability since current shortages are also
affecting the supply of water. Prompted by her Additional
Secretary, she added that the Trade Act, to give Bangladesh
SIPDIS
duty-free access to the U.S. garment market, is another
priority.
5. (C) Asked to look ahead to the elections, Zia affirmed
that BNP "wants free and fair since it helps us more than
others." She recalled that Jamaat Islami and the Awami
League had worked together against her party in 1996, so AL's
refusal to participate in a reform dialogue with the BNP if
JI is present "is a lame excuse." She praised the current
caretaker and electoral systems as successful and proven; if
reforms were necessary, why hadn't the AL pursued them when
it was the government? In response to the Ambassador's
query, Zia acknowledged there is an existing electoral code
of conduct which the BNP supports as a matter of policy.
CHAMMAS