A/S BOUCHER PUSHES AWAMI LEAGUE TO PARTICIPATE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 004975

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV BG
SUBJECT: A/S BOUCHER PUSHES AWAMI LEAGUE TO PARTICIPATE IN
FREE, FAIR, NON-VIOLENT ELECTION

Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, reason para 1.4(d)


1. (C) Summary: During A/S Boucher's election-focused
meeting with Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League president
acknowledged that her party's legitimacy hinges on
participating in the electoral process. She would not,
however, rule out an opposition boycott. Boucher pused for
Awami League participation and the need for a free, fair, and
peaceful election. End summary.


2. (SBU) On August 3, SCA A/S Richard Boucher met with Awami
League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina for 45 minutes at her
residence. Hasina's son Sajib Wajed Joy, several senior AL
leaders, Ambassador, and econoff (note taker) were also
present.


3. (SBU) Hasina opened by contrasting the government of the
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) with her own from 1996 to

2001. Her government opened up the economy to the private
sector, including broadcasting, which the BNP has exploited
to enrich itself. She has barred five TV cable channels from
covering her events because they are owned by biased BNP
cronies who got their licenses illicitly. Meanwhile, she
lamented, ETV, an "impartial" channel licensed by her
government, has been illegally shut down. (Note: ETV was
widely viewed as pro-Awami League.)


4. (SBU) Hasina refused to rule out an election boycott, but
stressed her democratic convictions. "Our party always wants
elections, always wants to participate... we want to prove
that the ballot is more powerful than the bullet." However,
she reiterated as essential to free elections her demand for
changes in the electoral system and the Caretaker Government
set-up. Once Bangladeshis can participate in honest
elections, Hasina suggested, she would retire from politics
altogether.


5. (SBU) A/S Boucher underscored that the United States seeks
an election that is free, fair, and non-violent, and that the
U.S. neither supports nor opposes any party. Hasina
complained that the controversial voter list being prepared
by the Election Commission is unacceptable because it
excludes minorities and Awami League members. "During my
time," Hasina stated, "we tried to make the Election
Commission independent," but today it is subservient to the
Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The Awami League favors the EU
idea of transparent ballot boxes, but the Election Commission
refuses to use them. The Election Commissioners must resign,
she said.


6. (SBU) Hasina alleged that Jamaat Islami is a terrorist
organization, and that its political partner Bangladesh
Nationalist Party is complicit in terrorism by association
and its own actions. Although senior leaders of Jamaatul
Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB) have been arrested, Hasina
wondered about all the persons who coordinated the 500 bomb
blasts on August 17, 2005. This group, she stated, is
"preserving its strength to use it against our secular
democratic government."


7. (SBU) Hasina blamed the Prime Minister's party for the
absence of inter-party talks. The party, she said, sabotaged
talks by nominating a JI leader to participate in the talks,
which was unacceptable to the AL because of Jamaat Islami's
anti-Liberation history. Ambassador Butenis noted that
additional efforts had been made to get the secretaries
general of both parties together, but Hasina discounted the
sincerity of the ruling coalition.


8. (C) Comment: Hasina's boycott threats have diminished in
recent weeks, but there's no doubt boycott is at least a plan
B for Hasina if the election starts to slip away. Hasina's
voluntary retirement from politics is almost inconceivable,
especially if arch nemesis Begum Khaleda Zia, or her son, is
still standing.
GEORGE