CODEL MCCAIN DISCUSSES ELECTIONS, CLIMATE CHANGE,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001256

/ / / C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - CAPTION ADDED / / /

CODEL
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/PB, SCA/INS, H

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON ETRD PTER SENV EAID OREP OVIP
BG
SUBJECT: CODEL MCCAIN DISCUSSES ELECTIONS, CLIMATE CHANGE,
TRADE AND MUMBAI ATTACKS DURING BANGLADESH VISIT

DHAKA 00001256 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: CDA a.i. Geeta Pasi, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

Summary
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1. (SBU) A Congressional delegation led by Senator John
McCain emphasized the need for Bangladesh to remain on the
path to free, free and credible elections. During a brief
December 2-3 visit, the bipartisan delegation also
highlighted the importance of political parties working
together after elections, a critical message in Bangladesh's
winner-take-all political environment. Senator McCain, along
with Senators Joseph Lieberman and Lindsey Graham, discussed
economic development, climate change and trade issues with
key Government of Bangladesh leaders. Government and media
warmly welcomed the Senators' visit, which occurred as the
country prepares for national elections December 29. END
SUMMARY.

CODEL McCain's Whirlwind Visit Pays Off
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2. (SBU) Senators John McCain, Joseph Lieberman, and Lindsey
Graham of the Senate Armed Services Committee visited
Bangladesh December 2 - 3 in a trip truncated by a previously
unscheduled stop in New Delhi following the Mumbai bombing.
Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, hosted a
breakfast in the CODEL's honor early December 3. Bangladeshi
participants included the Foreign Adviser, three other
members of the Council of Advisers, the Army Chief, the
Principal Staff Officer (CJCS equivalent),the heads of
Bangladesh's two intelligence agencies, and members of the
Chief Adviser's personal staff. In addition to the three
Senators, CDA a.i., CODEL Staff, and Embassy Officers also
participated in the breakfast. Prior to their departure for
Bhutan, the Senators held a brief press conference at the
airport, which was attended by all of Bangladesh's major
media outlets and which received front page coverage the
following day.

GOB Meeting
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3. (C) During the breakfast meeting, the Chief Adviser
highlighted Bangladesh's success in social development,
predicting the country would attain all of the Millennium
Development Goals. He noted Bangladesh's success in
achieving gender parity in education and discussed progress
in utilizing micro-credit to lift borrowers out of poverty.
The Chief Adviser also focused on the important role played
by the garment industry in Bangladesh's economy. More than
simply generating export earnings, the industry also provided
employment to over three million women and is essential to
social progress for women. In this context, he stressed the
importance of market access and asked the Senators to support
pending legislation to allow an increase in Bangladeshi
garment exports to the United States. The Chief Adviser and
his colleagues expressed appreciation for USG assistance
following the November 2007 super cyclone Sidr and
highlighted the challenges the Caretaker Government (CTG) had
faced during its tenure.


4. (C) Senators McCain and Lieberman expressed concern about
the impact of global climate change in Bangladesh, noting
they had introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate to address
this new challenge and help developing countries affected by
rising sea levels. The Chief Adviser expressed appreciation
for these efforts, noting that a one meter sea level rise
would inundate one-third of Bangladesh's land mass and
displace over thirty million citizens. Senator McCain
reaffirmed his commitment to free trade and promised to look
for ways to respond to Bangladesh's request for greater
market access. The Senators also praised the CTG and Army
success in responding to natural disasters and complimented
all involved for their success in registering 80 million
voters.


5. (C) In response to a question from Senator Graham, the
Chief Adviser said he hoped Pakistan would respond to
requests to cooperate with the investigation into the Mumbai
attacks. The Chief Adviser encouraged the USG to play a role
in helping countries in the region to enhance their
cooperation in fighting terrorism.


6. (SBU) The Senators asked about the potential impact of
the global financial crisis on Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser
acknowledged concerns about reduced flows of remittances,
since these funds had become a catalyst for local

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development. The Advisers pointed to the increasing role
played by Bangladeshi immigrants in the United States and
noted that they now accounted for almost $1.5 billion in
annual remittances. Overall remittances from Bangladeshi
workers overseas topped $8 billion in the fiscal year ending
June 30, 2008, and Bangladesh's total GDP stands at $70
billion.


7. (SBU) The Chief Adviser invited Senator McCain and his
colleagues to return to Bangladesh, including with their
families. The Senators complimented the Chief Adviser and
his colleagues for their contributions over the past two
years and expressed support for efforts to hold free, fair,
and credible elections by the end of December. All agreed on
the importance of bipartisan cooperation after elections,
with the Chief Adviser lauding the example of the United
States, where legislators worked across the aisle on issues
of national concern.

Press Event
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8. (U) In their statement to the press, the Senators
reiterated key themes from their meeting with the Chief
Adviser, in particular the need for free, fair and credible
elections. Senator Lieberman called for a peaceful return to
democracy in Bangladesh, noting Senator McCain's gracious and
unifying concession speech after the U.S. elections.
Lieberman expressed "hope that after this spirited election
is concluded here in Bangladesh that leaders and members of
both parties will come together for the good of the people of
Bangladesh and the future of this proud and progressive
country."


9. (U) The Senators, whose visit received broad and positive
media coverage, called Bangladesh "a good news story," citing
accomplishments in voter registration, gender equality and
education. They also spoke of climate change and asserted
that the global economic downturn provided all the more
reason to tackle the issues that cause climate change and
their economic roots. Senator McCain condemned the recent
Mumbai attack as an outrageous act of terrorism and called
for international cooperation to fight radical extremism.
The Senator closed the press event by talking of his adopted
daughter, who was born in Bangladesh, and the Senator's wish
to visit to Bangladesh with her sometime in the future.

Comment
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10. (SBU) Bangladesh enthusiastically received Senators
McCain, Lieberman and Graham, who were the first members of
Congress to visit Bangladesh since 2004. The Senators and
Advisers found common ground on economic development and
climate change. Media and Government interlocutors
whole-heartedly welcomed the Senators' statements about
democracy and bipartisanship. While there was no opportunity
to meet politicians during the brief stop, the Senators'
message was clear and well-covered by the media in a country
where many are ready to break with the highly partisan
politics that have marked this nascent democracy. We hope
the political parties get this message as well.


11. (U) CODEL McCain cleared this message.

PASI