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