AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH OPPOSITION LEADER HASINA

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 006091

SIPDIS

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM BG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH OPPOSITION LEADER HASINA

Classified By: Ambassador Patricia T. Butenis, reason para 1.4(d).


1. (C) During a September 27 one-hour meeting with Ambassador
to discuss her pending visit to the United States, Awami
League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed her commitment
to discuss election reforms with the ruling Bangladesh
Nationalist Party. Hasina stated that her notional travel
dates are October 11-22 but they remain open to accommodate a
possible AL-BNP dialogue. "Let's finish it in a couple of
days," she said. While stressing that the AL accepted the
proposal for dialogue at the outset, Hasina accused PM Zia of
privately resisting it out of fear that dialogue would cost
the BNP the election. Hasina repeated her claim that BNP
Secretary General Bhuiyan was not sick, but was sent by PMO

SIPDIS
Political Secretary Harris Chowdhury to Singapore to delay
dialogue.


2. C) At an immediately subsequent iftar with Ambassador,
Hasina pressed Ambassador and the British High Commissioner
to host the first meeting of the AL and BNP secretaries
general at one of their homes as a "neutral venue."
Ambassador urged the AL to accept the BNP proposal to meet at
one of the official state guest houses, but did not rule out
the possibility of inviting Jalil and Bhuiyan to meet
initially at her house. On the mechanics of dialogue, Hasina
said that Jalil would bring the BNP's proposals to her to
discuss with the party leadership.


3. (C) Ambassador noted Jalil had told her earlier that
neither side can expect "to get 100%." Hasina affirmed the
point and then enumerated her final position:

-- The whole Election Commission must be reconstituted (just
replacing Chief Election Commissioner Aziz is not enough) so
that it's absolutely neutral;

-- All of the upazila election officers must be removed
because they have been appointed by BNP or Jamaat Islami;
politically neutral officials should be appointed in their
place (Comment: Hassan's family relationship to two of the
accused in Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's assassination, not his
potential ties to the BNP, is the real, and very emotional,
issue for Hasina. End comment); and

-- A new Chief Advisor must be appointed after consultation
with the AL.


4. (C) Hasina also mentioned two relatively minor demands:

-- Transparent ballot boxes; and

-- A new voter list compiled with a photo of each registered
voter.


5. (C) Hasina said that the AL has asked for, but not
received, official voter lists. She continues to believe that
the BNP does not want the AL to participate in the elections.


6. (C) Hasina asked if she could see the Secretary while in
Washington, "just for a few minutes, no press." Ambassador
replied that U/S Burns would more likely be available.
BUTENIS