BNP SECRETARY GENERAL OUT TO REPLACE ZIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000458

SIPDIS

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A DECL: 03/19/2012
TAGS: PGOV PHUM BG
SUBJECT: BNP SECRETARY GENERAL OUT TO REPLACE ZIA


Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission Geeta Pasi, Reason:
1.4 (D),Derived from: DOS Classification guide, DTD Jun

89.



1. (C) Summary: BNP Secretary General Bhuiyan confirmed to
us he aspires to take over the leadership of his party once
the military persuades Chairperson Khaleda Zia to leave
Bangladesh. He is also considering leading a new national
government, replacing the current caretaker regime, to
carry out reforms before the next general elections. End
Summary


2. (C) On March 18, Bhuiyan bitterly criticized to us
former Prime Minister Zia for allowing her sons, brothers,
and other relatives and political intimates to indulge in
unbridled corruption. He confirmed widespread reports that
he aspires to take over the party leadership once the
military persuades or forces Zia to go into exile. Bhuiyan
said he is under mounting pressure from party leaders,
disgruntled with Zia?s leadership, to challenge her
leadership. Some military leaders, he said, want him to
split the BNP, but he expressed doubt he could create a
viable faction so long as Zia is in Bangladesh.


3. (C) Bhuiyan said that, soon after promulgation of the
state of emergency, the army asked Zia to send her son
Tarique Rahman abroad and clean up her party so she could
still lead the country. Zia initially agreed but later
shifted her stand, he said. Zia reportedly became angry
with Bhuiyan when he advised her to comply with the army?s
request, but when she finally decided no counter-coup was
in sight to save her, the army?s stance had hardened.


4. (C) Bhuiyan said that a national government with
representatives from different political parties should
replace the current government to reverse economic drift
and restore popular confidence in civilian rule. Gono
Forum president Kamal Hossain and Nobel laureate Muhammad
Yunus may be part of this government, and a referendum
might be necessary to validate this government and its
actions.


5. (C) Bhuiyan criticized the army?s apparent desire to
generate a political party with deserters from the BNP, the
Awami League, and other parties. Instead, he said, the
army should help the parties reform themselves and allow
the one that wins a free and fair election to form the
government. Bhuiyan noted without comment the current
rumor that Chief of Army Staff General Moeen wants to
become president after the incumbent?s term expires in
September.


6. (C) Comment: Zia?s critics within the BNP differ on
whether Bhuiyan is the person to lead the party after Zia.
His reluctance to challenge Zia face to face, leaving it to
others to clear the field for him, underscores why internal
reform for the BNP, or the Awami League for that matter,
has always been so difficult. The timing of Hasina?s
departure from Bangladesh, just days before her father?s
high-profile birthday anniversary, has fueled speculation
she was forced to leave, and may increase the pressure on
Zia to follow suit.

BUTENIS