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