BANGLADESH'S CHIEF ADVISER REQUESTS MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000780 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/PB, SCA/FO, S/S-ES, AND IO/UNP E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2018 TAGS: PREL UNGA BG SUBJECT: BANGLADESH'S CHIEF ADVISER REQUESTS MEETING WITH POTUS AT UNGA REF: DHAKA 775 Classified By: CDA a.i. Geeta Pasi. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed has formally requested (via diplomatic note) a meeting with POTUS on the margins of the UN General Assembly. The request comes as Bangladesh prepares for its transformational elections in December 2008 and as the Chief Adviser and the members of his Caretaker Government seek to convince the political parties to participate in the democratic process. As reported reftel, we believe that it is vitally important at this time for the USG to support the Chief Adviser's efforts to ensure a smooth transition. In this regard, we believe a brief meeting between POTUS and the Chief Adviser at UNGA would send an unambiguous message to the Caretaker Government, political parties, and other observers that the USG is watching the situation in Bangladesh closely and wants to see a successful democratic transition in this moderate Muslim-majority country. ¶2. (U) Begin text of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Note UN-GA-4228/08 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in DHAKA and has the honour to inform that H.E. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Hon'ble Chief Adviser of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh would lead the Bangladesh delegation t the 63rd regular session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York during 22 - 26 September 2008. During his stay in New York, the Hon'ble Chief Adviser would like to meet H.E. Mr. George W. Bush, President of the United States of America on the sidelines of the UNGA at a mutually convenient time (except for the morning on the 26th). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would deeply appreciate receiving an early response to the request for the proposed bilateral meeting. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America in Dhaka, the assurance of its highest consideration. End text. ¶3. (U) Action Request: Please provide guidance regarding a response to the Bangladeshi request. Pasi