LONG-AWAITED BANGLADESHI GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLE

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000029 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2018 TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL BG SUBJECT: LONG-AWAITED BANGLADESHI GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLE UNDERWAY Classified By: CDA a.i. Geeta Pasi, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Nearly half of the Council of Advisers submitted resignations on January 8 in a dramatic move to revive the flagging fortunes of the Caretaker Government (CTG). There had been mounting speculation that such a move was imminent as the CTG approached its first anniversary amid growing public anger over sharply rising food prices. The four resignations left five vacancies in the 10-person Council of Advisers that runs the government; another adviser had resigned in late December. Once replacements are announced, the reconstituted CTG will need to focus on improving its communication with the public and keeping on track its ambitious political reform program that is to culminate in national elections by the end of the year. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Four controversial advisers to the CTG submitted their resignations on January 8. They were Mainul Hosein, adviser for law, information, land and housing; Tapan Chowdhury, adviser for power, energy, food and disaster management, science, youth and sports; Geeteara Safiya Chowdhury, adviser for industries, social welfare, women's and children's affairs, and jute; and Major General (retired) Dr. Matiur Rahman, adviser for health and family welfare, water, and religious affairs. Ayub Quadri, adviser for education and culture, resigned in late December. (reftel) ¶3. (C) The resignees had been seen as weak links in the overworked CTG. Tapan Chowdhury, for example, created a firestorm of protest last month when he said the government bore no responsibility for bringing down skyrocketing rice prices. Mainul Hosein frequently made statements that did not reflect government policy, most recently saying it would consider letting former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is jailed facing corruption charges, go abroad for medical treatment; Geeteara Safiya Chowdhury was harshly cricitized for blaming farmers and the media for a fertilizer crisis; and Dr. Matiur Rahman was blamed for the many snafus that Hajj pilgrims faced last year. ¶4. (C) The CTG came to power in January 2007, immediately after the President declared a State of Emergency, with a mandate to restore order to a country ravished by endemic political corruption and violence. It promised to clean up politics, launch a massive voter registration drive and hold parliamentary elections by the end of 2008. The vast majority of Bangladeshis initially embraced that agenda, but the CTG's popularity has since ebbed amid spiraling inflation, questions about the fairness of its anti-corruption drive and the perceived incompetence of its advisers. Local news media quoted the government as saying new advisers would be sworn in on January 9. Although no names were officially disclosed, among those being mentioned by Embassy sources are respected leaders of non-governmental organizations, academia and industry. The government also may strengthen its capacity by adding a number of consultants to assist advisers. ¶5. (C) Comment: There is no doubt that the Caretaker Government desperately needs new blood to reinvigorate itself as it enters its second year. The leadership reshuffle provides an opportunity for the Government to reconnect with the Bangladeshi people; it will be especially important for the new advisers to effectively communicate their achievements. Equally important will be for the reconstituted CTG to begin a dialogue with the political parties to ensure the sustainability of the reforms it has launched. The Embassy will seek to meet quickly with the new advisers to reaffirm our support for elections and to encourage them to build a consensus on sustainable democracy among all major political players. Pasi