FOREIGN MINISTER KHAN STILL HAS FOREIGN RELATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 005706

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER BG
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER KHAN STILL HAS FOREIGN RELATION
PLANS


Classified By: Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis; Reason 1.4(d)


1. (C) Summary: Foreign Minister Khan requested a meeting
with Secretary Rice during the time he would be in the United
States, outlined his views to improve relations with India,
and confirmed that Bangladesh hopes to open an embassy in
Afghanistan by the end of the year. End Summary.


2. (C) On 4 September, Ambassador met with Foreign Minister
Morshed Khan prior to his travel to the Non Aligned Movement
conference and to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
meeting.


3. (C) Khan said he would like to meet with Secretary Rice
either in New York at the UNGA or in Washington on 16 and 17
September, and 27, 28 and 29 September respectively. He said
in his travels he has picked up on "some raw feelings" on a
number of issues that he wanted to convey to Secretary Rice,
mentioning Iran and thoughts from Non-Arab Middle Eastern
countries. He said he wanted to talk about Lebanon in a
meaningful way, that Lebanon can do more about Hezbollah, but
"we are critical about the other side as well."


4. (C) We need to improve relations with our neighboring
country, India, Khan said. "India has fewer concerns about
its eastern border compared to its concerns about its western
border," he said. To improve relations, we wanted to
encourage investment such as the TATA project, so it was sad
that the project has been delayed. Asked about the seemingly
growing anti-business climate in Bangladesh, Khan said, "It
takes a long time to regain business confidence. To do this
we need a comprehensive approach but it's difficult when
India accuses us of having terrorist camps but never responds
to our requests for proof."


5. (C) Khan said that one needs to look at North-East India
with a different eye. Where Bangladesh might see themselves
as being nine-tenths surrounded by India, from an Indian
perspective, at least in their North-East, India is largely
surrounded by Bangladesh. Bangladesh would like to have
improved relations with West Bengal, but that is not on New
Delhi's agenda, he said. We have tried to improve relations
by providing double-entry visas to Indians as they transit
through Bangladesh on their way to India, but Bangladesh has
not gotten anything in return. For example, Bangladesh would
like to have Nepalese trucks be able to transit India on
their way to Bangladesh, would like direct Dhaka to Calcutta
bus service, and would like for the Indians to improve their
side of the Benapole roads as we have done. "We both need a
better relationship to grow," he said.


6. (C) Khan confirmed that Bangladesh plans to open an
embassy in Kabul. He said that Bangladesh has not identified
a site yet, but has looked at several properties, and would
like to open up their mission within the year. Afghanistan's
recent entry into SAARC was the deciding factor in the BDG's
decision.
BUTENIS