YUNUS EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT AGENDA,

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000623 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2017 TAGS: KDEM PHUM KGOV BG SUBJECT: YUNUS EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT AGENDA, PREPARES TO LAUNCH PARTY Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Geeta Pasi; reason 1.4(d) ¶1. (C) Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus offered praise of the caretaker government in a meeting with the Deputy Chief of Mission, POLOFF and Staff Advisor Manpreet Singh Anand of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on April 8. Yunus acknowledged mistakes had been made -- such as mass demolitions of illegal structures which hurt many Grameen Bank clients -- but the government had learned from these missteps. On the whole, the government has done a good job and has an ambitious reform and anti-corruption program. "Be patient with this government," he said. "Its agenda is beautiful." ¶2. (C) He asserted the government enjoyed strong public support and said the people had plenty of patience and would wait "as long as it takes" to reform the political system. The "two ladies" -- former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina -- had to be removed from politics ("maybe sent to work for the UN?" he joked) for reform to succeed. The only thing that would jeopardize the popularity of the government would be if the ladies returned to politics. OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF PARTY ======================== ¶3. (C) Yunus said he would officially launch his new party once the government lifted its ban on political activities. He plans to develop the party structure from the grassroots and has held informal discussions with possible political allies about joining his movement. He thought his party's message would resonate with women and youth. Although the decision to enter politics was not easy ("they are already going after me," he told us, alluding to media attacks on Grameen Bank and him personally) he felt an obligation to leverage his new prestige for the benefit of the country. NO TO NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT =============================== ¶4. (C) Regarding Army Chief of Staff General Moeen's speech on April 3, Yunus said it was a mistake based on bad advice. If the army makes a move to get more involved in government, he urged the diplomatic community to "hit them as hard as you can" to warn them off that course. He was glad Moeen gave such a speech early on, because the negative reaction sent a clear signal to the military it would be a mistake to get involved in politics. Yunus also discounted rumors he would lead a military-backed "national unity" government. "I want to earn my way to power from the people," he told us, saying a national unity government would be tantamount to a coup and "I won't participate in that." ¶5. (SBU) Staff Advisor Anand departed Post before this cable was drafted. BUTENIS