AMBASSADOR BUTENIS DISCUSSES ELECTIONS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 005839 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM BG SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR BUTENIS DISCUSSES ELECTIONS WITH PRESIDENT AHMED Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Butenis; reason 1.4(d) ¶1. (C) Ambassador Butenis met September 14 with President Iajuddin Ahmed to solicit his views on the current political situation, the upcoming elections, and his role during the caretaker government. The President expressed confidence in his ability to fulfill his constitutional role during the caretaker government, asserting that he was feeling well. (Note: President Ahmed was medivaced to Singapore in late May following a heart attack.) He cited his past experience as an advisor to a previous caretaker government, saying he was well prepared as a result of that experience. He felt little planning was needed in advance of the caretaker government; rather, he would sit down with other members shortly after formation of the caretaker government to set priorities to ensure the elections are run successfully. ¶2. (C) The President expressed support for Chief Justice K.M. Hasan as Chief Advisor and said he was confident Hasan would accept the appointment. Asked if he was coordinating yet with Hasan, he said he was not, that Hasan was already well prepared. ¶3. (C) Noting the President's role as "commander in chief" of the military, the Ambassador asked what role the military would play during the elections. The President said he had not yet given it much thought. He plans to observe the situation and decide whether to deploy the military based on developments. He did not speculate on what developments would warrant deploying the military or on its role if deployed. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador expressed concern over ongoing political violence and noted her efforts to encourage the two main parties to enter negotiations to resolve their differences prior to the election. The President appreciated the Ambassador's public statements. He was confident the situation would not continue and that the two groups would sit down to negotiate, saying the Prime Minister had often said they were prepared to hold a dialogue with the opposition. He dismissed speculation that negotiations would not be possible during Ramadan (note: an Awami League claim), saying Ramadan was not a bar to negotiations. The President also was confident that "when the time comes" the Awami League would participate in elections. ¶5. (U) The President's Press Secretary, M. Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury, his miliatary aide, and Director General, American and Pacific Wing, MFA, Shahidul Islam also attended the twenty minute meeting. Econoff (note taker) accompanied the Ambassador. ¶6. (C) Comment: Despite the President's assurances that he was physically well and fit for his responsibilities, he appeared visibly weaker than when the Ambassador first met him in April at the presentations of her credentials; his right hand was shaking and he did not speak as clearly, sometimes slurring his words slightly. Nonetheless, he remains mentally alert and was at ease answering the Ambassador's questions. He acknowledged he currently works just four hours a day on the advice of his doctors. End comment. ¶7. (C) Following her meeting with the President, the Ambassador met privately on September 14 with State Minister for Home Affairs Babar on other matters. During the meeting, Babar said the President is under strain. According to Babar, the President's doctors in Singapore have advised senior BNP leaders that the President would have problems holding up under the stress of his current position, and as President during the caretaker government. Babar said this put the BNP in a difficult position: if they ask the President to resign, even if it is in the President's own best interest, the BNP will be accused of pushing him out of office for partisan reasons. BUTENIS