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