MICRO-CREDIT BANK BOSS PROPOSES POLITICAL FORMULA

UNCLAS DHAKA 000752 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV BG BGD SUBJECT: MICRO-CREDIT BANK BOSS PROPOSES POLITICAL FORMULA ¶1. (SBU) On February 4, micro-credit pioneer and Grameen Bank Managing Director Dr. Muhammad Yunus proposed that political parties choose a respected citizen to find a solution to the deadlock over modalities for holding the next general elections. Speaking at a gala dinner to commemorate the founding of The Daily Star newspaper, Yunus noted that even though the government is not constitutionally obliged to meet opposition demands to change the Election Commission and caretaker government set- ups, there is a national interest in ending the controversy and focusing constructively on the next election. The selected mediator would talk to both BNP and AL leaders to devise a package solution within 30 days. The mediator could choose two assistants, and the political parties could extend the timeframe, if needed. ¶2. (SBU) Neither the BNP nor the AL has formally reacted to Yunus's proposal. However, media and civil society members have generally responded positively. A BNP legislator told Pol FSN that the proposal recognizes the need to find a new formula to ensure fair elections and thus goes against the BDG assertion that the existing institutions and modalities are adequate to ensure fair polls. An AL leader echoed this view, but added that his party won't publicly endorse Yunus's proposal before ensuring that it would benefit the AL. Leaders of smaller parties, including Gono Forum and Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, have generally hailed the proposal. ¶3. (SBU) Several newspapers viewed Yunus's proposal as part of a move by the international community to ensure free and fair elections, while others linked it to election comments made by A/S Rocca and a recent visiting EU delegation. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: While there is no reason to think the BNP will accept this proposal, Yunus's action is notable as a rare instance of a prominent Bangladeshi's publicly advancing a solution for resolving the country's long- running political impasse. CHAMMAS