SCA A/S ROCCA MEETS WITH MFA OFFICIALS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000429

SIPDIS

USTR FOR BETSY STILLMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ETRD BG BG BGD
SUBJECT: SCA A/S ROCCA MEETS WITH MFA OFFICIALS

Classified By: CDA Judith Chammas, reason 1.4(d)


1. (C) Summary and Introduction: SCA A/S Christina Rocca
discussed concerns over the rise in extremism and terrorist
acts, upcoming elections, and governance issues. MFA
officials assured her that BDG is committed to addressing
these issues and has made significant progress in combating
terrorism. A/S Rocca offered training and assistance in
capacity building to combat terrorism. MFA officials
welcomed the offer and asked for support on the Trade Bill
pending in Congress to give Bangladesh and other developing
countries duty-free access to the U.S. garment market. End
Summary.


2. (U) A/S Rocca held separate meetings on January 26 with
Foreign Minister Morshed Khan, Foreign Secretary
Hemayetuddin, and Foreign Affairs Advisor Reaz Rahman. CDA
and EconOff (notetaker) accompanied. Bangladesh Ambassador
to the United States Shamsher Chowdhury was also present.

Rise in Extremism and Terrorist Acts
--------------


3. (C) MFA officials acknowledged concern over the rise in
terrorism in Bangladesh but assured A/S Rocca that the BDG
has made significant strides in combating terrorism. Foreign
Affairs Advisor Rahman said that the BDG has taken aggressive
steps to destroy terrorist cells and confiscate illegal arms
and ammunition. Many leaders and operatives have been
arrested and some have even been charged and are in the
process of being prosecuted, he said. The BDG has attacked
several JMB and JMJB cells and even came close to capturing
JMB leader Sheikh Abdur Rahman. Ambassador Chowdhury
asserted that BDG's efforts are remarkable given the BDG's
limited capacity in expertise and resources. A/S Rocca
commended the BDG on the progress made in several cases so
far but reiterated the need for thorough, timely, and
productive investigations, and culprits at all levels must be
punished, regardless of any political implications. A/S
Rocca offered USG cooperation in training and assistance
programs to improve capacity in law enforcement and
counter-terrorism activities.


4. (C) MFA officials pointed to new counter-terrorism draft
legislation as a big step towards combating terrorism.
Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin said that the new
counter-terrorism law will be enacted, and that it will
contain strict anti-money laundering and terrorism financing
provisions. He added that the PM refused to allow provisions
in the law for clemency or amnesty for terrorists. MFA
officials said that recent acts have incited anger but not
fear among the people, which is a sign that they are
confident in the government's ability to combat terrorism.
They welcomed USG cooperation in training and capacity
building.

Elections
--------------


5. (C) A/S Rocca said that Bangladesh serves as an example
of a vibrant, moderate Muslim democracy with three successful
elections behind it, and expressed USG desire to see this
tradition continued through the next national election,
stating that the USG expects a level playing field and that
the deck would not be stacked in favor of any party. MFA
officials reiterated the BDG's commitment to the democratic
process and said that Bangladeshis valued their democratic
rights dearly. Reaz Rahman said that the opposition is
concerned about their ability to win national elections so
they are determined to challenge the democratic system that
has been effectively used in previous successful elections.
Citing disputes over voters, Rahman said that the Awami
League is opposed to a new voter list, even after NDI
reported that more than 6.4 million names on the last list
were fraudulent. MFA officials are confident that despite AL
protests, the next national elections will happen as
scheduled.

Governance
--------------


6. (C) MFA officials cited the Anti-Corruption Commission
(ACC) and reforms in the Public Service Commission as
examples of steps taken by the administration to address
governance and corruption issues. Reaz Rahman said that
combating corruption is a difficult challenge in a country
with more than 140 million people, but that the many delays
in introducing rules and procedures at the ACC, in separating
the judiciary from the executive, and other such cases were
not politically motivated but were due to practical
constraints. Corruption is so rampant that many positive BDG
reforms have not been very visible, he said. A/S Rocca
pointed out the need for strong political will to tackle
governance issues.

Trade Bill
--------------


7. (C) MFA officials said that a decline in Bangladeshi
garment exports would have a devastating impact on the
socio-economic condition of millions of women. They asked
for the administration to support the Trade bill pending in
Congress to give Bangladesh and other developing countries
duty-free access to the U.S. garment market. Ambassador
Chowdhury interjected that he had recently told Assistant
USTR Karan Bhatia that Bangladesh would not oppose a
consensus in the Hong Kong meetings and that USTR assured him
that the Hong Kong meetings do not rule out a Trade bill.
A/S Rocca said that she could not give them any hope about
the bill given the sensitivity to the textile issue in the
United States.


8. (U) A/S Rocca has cleared this message.
CHAMMAS