MEDIA REACTION: CODEL MCCAIN VISIT TO BANGLADESH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001274 SIPDIS CODEL STATE FOR SCA/PB STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU STATE FOR H (ANDREW MACDERMOTT) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR OREP KPAO PGOV PREL OVIP BG SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CODEL MCCAIN VISIT TO BANGLADESH Ref: A) Dhaka 1256; B) Dhaka 1163 DHAKA 00001274 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Summary and Comment: Mainstream English and Bangla-language newspapers across the political spectrum extensively covered the visit of Senators McCain, Lieberman and Graham to Bangladesh. (See Ref A for more details about the Codel.) At a press conference attended by more than 60 journalists, the Senators called on the people and political parties of Bangladesh to accept the results of the upcoming December 29 parliamentary elections and come together for the good of the country. The Senators' comments received front-page, above-the-fold coverage in most major national daily newspapers. In addition, editorials published afterwards expressed appreciation for the Senators' visit and echoed their comments that the political parties should work together to create new democratic traditions in Bangladesh. Following last month's U.S. presidential election, many editorials and columnists cited Senator McCain's concession speech as a model for politicians in Bangladesh (Ref B). Senator McCain's visit at this critical time in Bangladesh's history amplified this message. We will continue to highlight this important theme as the country prepares for elections. End summary and comment. ¶2. A selection of media reaction follows: ¶A. "MCCAIN URGES BANGLADESH LEADERS TO FOLLOW U.S. DEMOCRATIC CULTURE," an editorial in the December 5 generally anti-West Bangla daily INQILAB: "U.S. Senator John McCain expressed hope that Bangladesh will hold a free, fair and credible national election on 29 December and that the contending parties would accept the outcome of the polls for the greater national interest... Senator John McCain also expressed hope that the defeated parties in the forthcoming elections will congratulate the winners in line with the policy being followed in the developed world. We think that John McCain's advice will promote democratic values in the country's political arena." ¶B. "MCCAIN'S CALL TO ACCEPT ELECTION RESULT -- NOT UNEXPECTED ADVICE," editorial in the December 5 pro-BNP Bangla daily AMAR DESH: "U.S. Senator John McCain's comments calling upon the political parties to accept the election result to face future challenges can be termed an honest suggestion from a gentleman.... It is unfortunate that there is no culture here in Bangladesh of political parties working together. Our political leaders think that the people have 'rejected' a rival in an election even if the margin is very close. On the other hand, the rival thinks that his or her defeat was the result of poll manipulation, even if the margin is great. Vested quarters continue to express fears of election engineering. Under the circumstances, it is essential to follow McCain's suggestion in the interest of developing democratic traditions." ¶C. "MCCAIN'S BANGLADESH VISIT -- IDENTICAL ATTITUDE TO ESTABLISH PEACE," editorial in the December 5 anti-fundamentalist and pro-Awami League Bangla daily SHAMOKAL: "During his 11-hour visit, Senator McCain met with most of the country's key leaders, including the Chief Adviser and the Army chief.... He emphasized that establishing a democratic tradition requires all parties to accept the election results.... Senator McCain's visit clearly demonstrates that Democrats and Republicans share the same views on Bangladesh's transition to democracy. We thank McCain and his team for visiting Dhaka at this critical time in Bangladesh's history." ¶D. "THE MCCAIN VISIT," editorial in the December 5 BNP-leaning English daily THE NEW NATION: "If McCain's visit to Bangladesh was aimed to advise our politicians on national harmony and stability to be created from both sides of the divide working together and maintaining the minimum of unity in the national interest after the coming election, then its purpose should be viewed as very positive. It is high time for our politicians to be ingrained with proper democratic values which in turn would create political stability that in turn is bound to give economic dividend." DHAKA 00001274 002 OF 002 PASI