NATIONWIDE BLOCKADE CONTINUES AMID NEW TALKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 006644 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2016 TAGS: KDEM PGOV BG SUBJECT: NATIONWIDE BLOCKADE CONTINUES AMID NEW TALKS Classified By: DCM Geeta Pasi, reason para 1.4 d. ¶1. (SBU) Summary. There were no reports of major violence on the third day of the opposition's nationwide blockade. Last night, government officials met with representatives of the opposition coalition to discuss options for breaking the political impasse, and will meet with the former ruling coalition tonight. A senior caretaker government official spoke frankly to Ambassador about current issues. End Summary. Blockade Continues -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Thousands of opposition activists across Bangladesh today enforced the third day of the nationwide blockade called to force the interim Caretaker Government to accept a broad range of opposition electoral demands. The country's two ports, its major inter-city roads, and its river and rail networks remained shut down. In Dhaka, however, more buses and privately owned vehicles were on the roads, and demonstrators and police generally acted peacefully. ¶3. (SBU) As of 1700 local, activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and coalition partner Jamaat Islami had not hit the streets as part of their announced anti-"anarchy" program, which has prompted fears of major violence. Talks -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Late November 13, four advisers (interim ministers) of the Caretaker Government met for two hours with senior leaders of the Awami League and its main coalition partners to discuss ways to break the political impasse. Afterwards, opposition leaders reiterated their demand for a thorough purge of the Election Commission. The same four advisers will meet tonight with representatives of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance, followed by separate sessions with General Ershad's Jatiya party and the new Liberal Democratic Party. Yesterday, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party reiterated its opposition to any changes in the Election Commission. Military Deployment -------------- ¶5. (SBU) A decision by President/Chief Adviser on November 12 to deploy the military in support of civilian authorities was reversed at the last minute when his advisers balked at not being consulted and over the way the deployment was being ordered, according to media and other sources. "Virtual Coup d'etat" -------------- ¶6. (C) On November 14, Ambassador met privately with Planning and Finance Adviser Ali Akbar Khan, a widely respected former cabinet secretary who has emerged as one of the two most active caretaker advisers. Khan described the council of advisers meeting on November 12 that nixed a military deployment as a "virtual coup d'etat." The advisers vigorously protested to Chief Adviser Ahmed his decision and his failure to consult them, he said. Ahmed reportedly agreed to consult them on subsequent matters, but Khan wondered how long that commitment would last. ¶7. (C) At last night's meeting with opposition leaders, Khan led the caretaker government's four-person team. The Awami League, he said, offered to withdraw its supporters from the streets in return for three personnel changes, including the replacement of the controversial home secretary who played a key role in trying to organize military deployment. The advisers subsequently recommended acceptance of the offer to Ahmed, who is expected to make a decision on the matter very soon. Asked if the other two changes involved the heads of the government's two senior intelligence bodies, Khan replied, "That will come later." ¶8. (C) The Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Khan observed, remain far apart on the Election Commission. One week ago, some Awami League leaders appeared ready to accept the proposal of two additional commissioners, but party hard-liners now insist on a complete purge. ¶9. (C) At last night's meeting, Aziz said, the Awami League raised as key issues the status of Chief Election Commissioner Aziz, the integrity of the voter list, and reversing administrative appointments of "partisan" local DHAKA 00006644 002 OF 002 officials involved with elections. The advisers, Khan said, replied that the first and third issues pose serious constitutional problems, and that pressuring a recalcitrant Aziz to quit would set a bad precedent. ¶10. (C) The four advisers, Khan continued, asked the Awami League to "relax" and to come up with its own suggestions for resolving the Election Commission issue. If the Awami Leagues fails to do so, he said, then the advisers will have to devise their own package and sell it to Chief Adviser Ahmed. BUTENIS