Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DHAKA6683
2006-11-20 11:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
TODAY'S ACTION AWAY FROM THE STREETS
how-toVZCZCXRO3725 OO RUEHCI DE RUEHKA #6683/01 3241106 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 201106Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2658 INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9486 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1376 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 8812 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7663 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1561 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 006683
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2016
TAGS: KDEM PHUM PGOV BG
SUBJECT: TODAY'S ACTION AWAY FROM THE STREETS
Classified By: DCM Geeta Pasi, reason para 1.4 d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 006683
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2016
TAGS: KDEM PHUM PGOV BG
SUBJECT: TODAY'S ACTION AWAY FROM THE STREETS
Classified By: DCM Geeta Pasi, reason para 1.4 d.
1. (C) Summary. Embattled Chief Election Commissioner Aziz
may be contemplating a long leave of absence, which could
remove one opposition flash point, but the Awami League now
demands that Chief Adviser Ahmed also go before lifting its
nationwide blockade. Rumors that Chief Adviser Ahmed
suffered a medical emergency this morning proved to be false
but reflect widespread apprehension about his fragile health.
The streets of Dhaka are relatively calm. End Summary.
On the Ground
--------------
2. (SBU) As of 1730 local, there are no reports of
significant violence in Bangladesh during the first day of
the opposition's renewed nationwide transportation blockade.
There are scattered reports of attacks on buses and private
vehicles, but traffic in some parts of Dhaka appeared close
to normal, with more businesses open and less tension than at
the outset of last week's blockade. In downtown Awami League
strongholds, however, virtually all shops were closed and
traffic was light.
3. (SBU) Demonstrators were peacefully clustered in two dozen
areas. Early in the morning, police persuaded activists of
the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat Islami to vacate
an area where Awami League workers would shortly be gathering
to enforce the shutdown of major transportation arteries in
order to avoid confrontation.
Talks Continue
--------------
4. (C) According to contacts in the Awami League and
President Ahmed's office, last night's meeting between Chief
Adviser Ahmed and party president Sheikh Hasina produced no
breakthroughs, with the opposition chieftain reiterating her
insistence that Ahmed meet all of her demands before she
lifts the blockade. Ahmed apparently claimed he had
implemented 80 percent of Hasina's demands, and that the
others are long-term in nature.
5. (C) Earlier today, however, three caretaker government
advisers called on Chief Election Commissioner M.A. Aziz.
While they declined substantive comment to the press
afterwards, saying they had to report back to Ahmed later
today, an election commission official told us Aziz briefed
his senior staff that he had not been asked to resign but to
consider a long leave of absence. Aziz reportedly indicated
interest in the idea, saying he would check the law to see if
leave were possible.
6. (C) Addressing party workers today, Awami League leader
Motia Chowdhury warned the caretaker government against
announcing an election schedule, as urged by Bangladesh
Nationalist Party president Khaleda Zia, before opposition
demands were fully met. She added another precondition for
lifting the blockade -- the departure of Ahmed as chief
adviser. While Awami League leaders had alluded to Ahmed's
replacement as desirable, this was the first time it was
explicitly stated as party policy. Other party leaders
subsequently confirmed to us that Chowdhury spoke accurately
on behalf of the party.
Health Alarm
--------------
7. (C) In the late morning, rumors circulated that medical
personnel had rushed to the presidency after Ahmed suffered a
medical emergency during a meeting with advisers. A senior
official in Ahmed's office confirmed an event which appeared
to be serious, but it later developed that Ahmed had
momentarily felt unwell and an early afternoon meeting with
advisers was rescheduled for 1830 today.
Embassy Operations
--------------
8. (SBU) The great majority of locally engaged staff came to
work, although many reported disruptions and extra cost
involved with their commute. Until further notice, Embassy
personnel are confined to the diplomatic enclave. The
emergency action committee met to review latest developments
(septel).
Comment
DHAKA 00006683 002 OF 002
--------------
9. (C) The resumption of the blockade has not stopped a
flurry of initiatives for breaking the impasse. Public
posturing aside, the continuing restraint by both parties on
the streets suggests a compromise may yet be reachable. A
long leave of absence for the chief election commissioner
might be a face-saving solution for Aziz as well as the
Bangladesh Nationalist Party since it insists that any action
be consistent with the constitution and "leave" would be a
voluntary, not an imposed, departure.
BUTENIS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2016
TAGS: KDEM PHUM PGOV BG
SUBJECT: TODAY'S ACTION AWAY FROM THE STREETS
Classified By: DCM Geeta Pasi, reason para 1.4 d.
1. (C) Summary. Embattled Chief Election Commissioner Aziz
may be contemplating a long leave of absence, which could
remove one opposition flash point, but the Awami League now
demands that Chief Adviser Ahmed also go before lifting its
nationwide blockade. Rumors that Chief Adviser Ahmed
suffered a medical emergency this morning proved to be false
but reflect widespread apprehension about his fragile health.
The streets of Dhaka are relatively calm. End Summary.
On the Ground
--------------
2. (SBU) As of 1730 local, there are no reports of
significant violence in Bangladesh during the first day of
the opposition's renewed nationwide transportation blockade.
There are scattered reports of attacks on buses and private
vehicles, but traffic in some parts of Dhaka appeared close
to normal, with more businesses open and less tension than at
the outset of last week's blockade. In downtown Awami League
strongholds, however, virtually all shops were closed and
traffic was light.
3. (SBU) Demonstrators were peacefully clustered in two dozen
areas. Early in the morning, police persuaded activists of
the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat Islami to vacate
an area where Awami League workers would shortly be gathering
to enforce the shutdown of major transportation arteries in
order to avoid confrontation.
Talks Continue
--------------
4. (C) According to contacts in the Awami League and
President Ahmed's office, last night's meeting between Chief
Adviser Ahmed and party president Sheikh Hasina produced no
breakthroughs, with the opposition chieftain reiterating her
insistence that Ahmed meet all of her demands before she
lifts the blockade. Ahmed apparently claimed he had
implemented 80 percent of Hasina's demands, and that the
others are long-term in nature.
5. (C) Earlier today, however, three caretaker government
advisers called on Chief Election Commissioner M.A. Aziz.
While they declined substantive comment to the press
afterwards, saying they had to report back to Ahmed later
today, an election commission official told us Aziz briefed
his senior staff that he had not been asked to resign but to
consider a long leave of absence. Aziz reportedly indicated
interest in the idea, saying he would check the law to see if
leave were possible.
6. (C) Addressing party workers today, Awami League leader
Motia Chowdhury warned the caretaker government against
announcing an election schedule, as urged by Bangladesh
Nationalist Party president Khaleda Zia, before opposition
demands were fully met. She added another precondition for
lifting the blockade -- the departure of Ahmed as chief
adviser. While Awami League leaders had alluded to Ahmed's
replacement as desirable, this was the first time it was
explicitly stated as party policy. Other party leaders
subsequently confirmed to us that Chowdhury spoke accurately
on behalf of the party.
Health Alarm
--------------
7. (C) In the late morning, rumors circulated that medical
personnel had rushed to the presidency after Ahmed suffered a
medical emergency during a meeting with advisers. A senior
official in Ahmed's office confirmed an event which appeared
to be serious, but it later developed that Ahmed had
momentarily felt unwell and an early afternoon meeting with
advisers was rescheduled for 1830 today.
Embassy Operations
--------------
8. (SBU) The great majority of locally engaged staff came to
work, although many reported disruptions and extra cost
involved with their commute. Until further notice, Embassy
personnel are confined to the diplomatic enclave. The
emergency action committee met to review latest developments
(septel).
Comment
DHAKA 00006683 002 OF 002
--------------
9. (C) The resumption of the blockade has not stopped a
flurry of initiatives for breaking the impasse. Public
posturing aside, the continuing restraint by both parties on
the streets suggests a compromise may yet be reachable. A
long leave of absence for the chief election commissioner
might be a face-saving solution for Aziz as well as the
Bangladesh Nationalist Party since it insists that any action
be consistent with the constitution and "leave" would be a
voluntary, not an imposed, departure.
BUTENIS