Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DHAKA6719
2006-11-30 07:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
ZIA TO AMBASSADOR: YOU'RE ALL PRO-AWAMI LEAGUE
how-toVZCZCXRO2306 PP RUEHCI DE RUEHKA #6719 3340749 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 300749Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2714 INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9502 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1383 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 8820 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7670 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 006719
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: KDEM PGOV BG
SUBJECT: ZIA TO AMBASSADOR: YOU'RE ALL PRO-AWAMI LEAGUE
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Butenis, reason para 1.4 d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 006719
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: KDEM PGOV BG
SUBJECT: ZIA TO AMBASSADOR: YOU'RE ALL PRO-AWAMI LEAGUE
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Butenis, reason para 1.4 d.
1. (SBU) Late November 29, Ambassador met for 75 minutes with
Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has
recently taken the initiative to reach out to key chiefs of
mission. Former Foreign Minister Morshed Khan, party
secretary general Mannan Bhuiyan, and former foreign affairs
SIPDIS
advisor Reaz Rahman sat in.
2. (C) Ambassador noted she did not represent the opposition
Awami League, but like the UN, the EU, and other local
diplomatic missions, we have concerns about the framework
being put in place for the upcoming election. It is evident,
she stated, that the former ruling party continues to exert
great influence on the chief adviser to the caretaker
government, and that the caretaker government is not acting
neutrally or effectively to resolve obvious obstacles to a
successful election.
3. (C) Zia bristled, "You diplomats all support the Awami
League," and insisted the caretaker government is completely
neutral and that Awami League's demands are endless and
pointless. She repeated her public criticism of activist
caretaker government advisers who allegedly exceed their
brief to advance a partisan political agenda. She and her
party colleagues reiterated their view that the Awami League
is violent, vengeful, perfidious, and that there is "not one
iota of trust" in the Awami League.
4. (C) Zia said her party could accept modifications in the
candidate registration dates in the election schedule,
provided polling day remains on or about January 21. She
expressed confidence in winning the election because, Zia
said, the October 28 blood-letting unleashed by the
opposition reminded apprehensive Bangladeshis of the Awami
League's propensity for violence and confrontation.
5. (C) Comment: Although Ambassador had previously made the
same points to several of Zia's confidants, Zia appeared
taken aback by Ambassador's message, but recovered quickly
and the meeting ended on the usual friendly note. Ambassador
reminded Zia that the Awami League accuses her of being
pro-BNP, and that our focus remains on the integrity of the
process without fear or favor for any political party.
BUTENIS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: KDEM PGOV BG
SUBJECT: ZIA TO AMBASSADOR: YOU'RE ALL PRO-AWAMI LEAGUE
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Butenis, reason para 1.4 d.
1. (SBU) Late November 29, Ambassador met for 75 minutes with
Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has
recently taken the initiative to reach out to key chiefs of
mission. Former Foreign Minister Morshed Khan, party
secretary general Mannan Bhuiyan, and former foreign affairs
SIPDIS
advisor Reaz Rahman sat in.
2. (C) Ambassador noted she did not represent the opposition
Awami League, but like the UN, the EU, and other local
diplomatic missions, we have concerns about the framework
being put in place for the upcoming election. It is evident,
she stated, that the former ruling party continues to exert
great influence on the chief adviser to the caretaker
government, and that the caretaker government is not acting
neutrally or effectively to resolve obvious obstacles to a
successful election.
3. (C) Zia bristled, "You diplomats all support the Awami
League," and insisted the caretaker government is completely
neutral and that Awami League's demands are endless and
pointless. She repeated her public criticism of activist
caretaker government advisers who allegedly exceed their
brief to advance a partisan political agenda. She and her
party colleagues reiterated their view that the Awami League
is violent, vengeful, perfidious, and that there is "not one
iota of trust" in the Awami League.
4. (C) Zia said her party could accept modifications in the
candidate registration dates in the election schedule,
provided polling day remains on or about January 21. She
expressed confidence in winning the election because, Zia
said, the October 28 blood-letting unleashed by the
opposition reminded apprehensive Bangladeshis of the Awami
League's propensity for violence and confrontation.
5. (C) Comment: Although Ambassador had previously made the
same points to several of Zia's confidants, Zia appeared
taken aback by Ambassador's message, but recovered quickly
and the meeting ended on the usual friendly note. Ambassador
reminded Zia that the Awami League accuses her of being
pro-BNP, and that our focus remains on the integrity of the
process without fear or favor for any political party.
BUTENIS