UNCERTAINTY ABOUT BANGLADESH'S POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 DHAKA 001059 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/PB AND SCA/FO E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PINS KDEM BG SUBJECT: UNCERTAINTY ABOUT BANGLADESH'S POLITICAL TRANSITION RETURNS REF: DHAKA 999 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) Summary ======== ¶1. (C) Nearly three weeks after Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed announced a date for national elections, fears about Bangladesh's return to democracy appear to be spiking again. Hardliners within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party are trying to convince party Chairperson Khaleda Zia to boycott elections since they fear the party cannot win in December. The Awami League's preparations for elections are moving forward, but party leaders remain uncertain about the political plans of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who remains in the U.S. on medical parole. Skeptics point to a series of court decisions and government legal maneuvers against the political leaders as evidence that powerful forces within the regime want to frustrate elections. To some extent, these developments reflect maneuvering among the two parties and the Caretaker Government (CTG),still we will continue to stress to the leaders of both parties, as well as key civilian and military officials, the importance of returning to democracy by the end of 2008. Chief Adviser's Speech Fails to Calm Fears ========================================== ¶2. (C) Immediately prior to his departure for the UN General Assembly, Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed announced September 20 that national parliamentary elections would take place in Bangladesh on December 18 (reftel). Fakhruddin intended to remove uncertainty regarding the CTG's intentions. Equally importantly, the Chief Adviser wanted to reassure the international community that Bangladesh's return to democracy was on track. While both domestic and foreign audiences immediately welcomed the speech, here in DHAKA uncertainty about the political transition has returned with a vengeance. The parties have not embraced the CTG's suggestion that the heads of the two parties hold a summit meeting to agree upon a code of conduct for the elections and their aftermath. The DHAKA rumor mill was in overdrive over the recent Eid holidays, with many of the Embassy's contacts speculating the elections might be delayed or canceled. Khaleda Zia's Return Fails to Resolve BNP Problems ============================================= ===== ¶3. (C) Much of the concern about the prospects for elections centers around the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its Chairman, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Thousands of cheering supporters greeted Zia when she was released from prison on September 11. At the same time, her powerful and much feared eldest son Tarique, who also faces multiple graft charges, left the country for medical treatment. Since then, Zia has maintained a relatively low profile and has kept quiet about her political plans. Party Secretary General Khondkar Delwar Hossain remains the BNP's main spokesman and regularly threatens to boycott elections unless the CTG meets a long list of demands. Zia continues to meet individually with party leaders, including some from the breakaway "reformist" faction and has opened a new party office in the Diplomatic Enclave. ¶4. (C) A hardline faction within the party led by Delwar and supported by some within the BNP's alliance partners, is reportedly attempting to convince Zia to seek a delay or cancellation of elections. This faction has argued that the party cannot win an election, and would be better off under an unelected government than under a regime led by the BNP's arch-rival, the Awami League. Those within the BNP who want to see elections take place have complained the party is doing little or nothing to prepare to contest the polls. Notably, with less than a week remaining before the October 15 deadline imposed by the Election Commission, the BNP is refusing to register as required by the new political parties ordinance. The CTG's lead negotiator has complained to us that he does not have any reasonable interlocutors within the DHAKA 00001059 002 OF 003 BNP. Interestingly enough, however, Khaleda Zia's few public comments since her release--including two newspaper interviews--have been remarkably restrained. Waiting for Sheikh Hasina ========================= ¶5. (C) For its part, the Awami League is taking steps to prepare for elections. Unlike the BNP and its alliance partners, the Awami League announced its intention to register the party according to the newly amended Representation of the People's Ordinance. The Awami League's Central Working Committee and Presidium are meeting regularly to discuss preparations for elections. The Awami League's Acting Secretary General has emerged as the most consistent political voice in favor of elections. ¶6. (C) The major question mark for the Awami League faithful is when party President Sheikh Hasina will return from the United States. Many observers had speculated that Hasina would return soon after the release of her rival in early September. Instead, Hasina has delayed her return until at least the end of October. In the interim, Hasina has maintained limited contact with senior party leaders, who tell us they are uncertain about her future plans. Some speculate she is afraid of a possible assassination attempt against her (recalling the August 14 2004 grenade attack on her at an Awami League rally, or drawing parallels with former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination). Party leaders also are uncertain what commitments Hasina has made in her discussions with the CTG and the Bangladesh military. Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana met with Advisers Hossain Zillur Rahman and Ghulam Quader in Washington in late September, but party leaders are in the dark regarding what was said. Skeptics Confused by Legal Developments ======================================= ¶7. (C) Meanwhile, the courts continue to send confusing signals to the parties and the public regarding the legal fate of the former Prime Ministers and many of their senior lieutenants who were jailed during the CTG crackdown on high-level corruption. The High Court has twice denied Hasina's requests for bail prior to her return to Bangladesh. While Hasina's parole has been extended, for political reasons she wants to be treated on a par with Zia, who was freed on bail. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court will hear an appeal by Hasina's lawyers October 12. At the same time, the Anti-Corruption Commission has brought new charges against Zia and members of her Cabinet for their role in awarding a contract for coal mining to a Chinese company. Headlines are full of reports speculating on the possible arrests of Zia and her cohorts. ¶8. (C) Many observers assume that these court decisions and legal maneuvers are dictated by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI),which repeatedly has attempted during the State of Emergency to redraw Bangladesh's political map. They believe that these decisions are intended to send a message to the two former Prime Ministers warning them to adhere to previous commitments made in private to the government in support of reforms that would diminish their power. Potential spoilers in both parties have seized on these concerns to argue against cooperating with the government to prepare for elections. (Comment: The assumption that DGFI is ordering the courts to take specific steps appears to be undermined by such high profile High Court decisions as the release on bail of Tarique Rahman, an action that clearly undermined DGFI maneuverings at the time. End Comment) Delivering Our Message ====================== ¶9. (C) In part, the newfound pessimism regarding elections may reflect a lack of information during the Eid holidays, as key decision makers within the government and the parties traveled outside of Dhaka. The pessimism also presumably DHAKA 00001059 003 OF 003 reflects posturing by all the main actors as the CTG attempts to negotiate with the parties on such issues as banning the most corrupt party members from participating in elections. In order to reinforce the importance of adhering to the electoral timetable, the Ambassador plans to meet with senior CTG officials and Khaleda Zia in the coming days. We are also expecting a visit by the Commander of Pacific Air Forces General Chandler, who will encourage the Bangladesh Army leadership to remain committed to elections. (Note: Many in the military fear a repetition of the career retribution against the officer corps that occurred in the past after new political governments came to power.) We also have proposed that SCA meet with Hasina before she departs Washington to reinforce our message. We will also look for opportunities to deliver our message in public. Comment ======= ¶10. (C) A successful transition back to democracy n Bangladesh--a hugely populous, Muslim-majority country with a history of both domestic and transnational terrorism--remains vitally important to the U.S. Post still believes the process is largely on track and will lead to credible elections in December. That said, there is a risk that the parties, or the government, could miscalculate. In many ways, the two party leaders hold the key to ensuring that the transition remains on track. Over the coming weeks, we will remain engaged with them and other key players to help overcome potential obstacles. Moreover, septel will explore a variety of possible political scenarios, including what might happen should one or both major parties boycott elections. Moriarty