Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DHAKA101
2009-01-27 09:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
NEW MINISTERS ADDED TO HASINA'S CABINET
how-toVZCZCXRO5743 PP RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW DE RUEHKA #0101 0270951 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 270951Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8211 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS DHAKA 000101
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS USAID AND PEACE CORPS
DEPT FOR SCA/PB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BG PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: NEW MINISTERS ADDED TO HASINA'S CABINET
-----------------
NEW CABINET FACES
-----------------
UNCLAS DHAKA 000101
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS USAID AND PEACE CORPS
DEPT FOR SCA/PB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BG PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: NEW MINISTERS ADDED TO HASINA'S CABINET
--------------
NEW CABINET FACES
--------------
1. (U) In a surprise move, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina named
six more state ministers on January 24, bringing the number
of people in her Cabinet to 38. All of the new ministers
are lawyers and four are new to public office. All six were
active in campaigning for Hasina's release from prison last
year, demonstrating that loyalty to her remains the key
factor in becoming a senior government official. The cabinet
expansion also appeared intended to lighten some of the load
on Hasina, by allowing her to shed several less important
portfolios.
-------------- --------------
APPOINTMENTS HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF CERTAIN ISSUES
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) The new State Minister for Energy and Mineral
Resources is Shamsul Haq and the new State Minister for
Religious Affairs is Shahjahan Miah. Both appointments
indicate Prime Minister Hasina's seriousness in tackling
these issues at the outset of her tenure. The Religious
Affairs portfolio has taken on increased importance in the
wake of an ongoing dispute over the appointment of the Khatib
(chief imam) at the National Mosque (septel). Other new
state ministers are Adbul Mannan, Housing and Public Works;
Motahar Hossain, Primary and Mass Education; Jahangir Kabir,
Local Government and Rural Development; and Kamrul Islam,
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. As Prime Minister,
Hasina has retained the portfolios for the Armed Forces
Division, the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Defense, and
the Ministry Women and Children's Affairs. Some speculate
Hasina's Cabinet will ultimately include more than 50 people.
--------------
CORRUPTION BAGGAGE?
--------------
3. (SBU) Prime Minister Hasina was jailed on graft
allegations by the Caretaker Government, and at least one of
the new state ministers also appears to have been in trouble.
Jahangir Kabir, a former Awami League student leader, was on
the Anti-Corruption Commission's list of graft suspects and
disappeared shortly after the Caretaker Government started a
crackdown on corruption in January 2007. He resurfaced only
weeks ahead of the December 29 Parliamentary elections. With
the unrest caused by Awami League student groups, having the
former head of the party's youth front in the Cabinet should
help Hasina keep control over potential trouble makers.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) With the addition of these novice ministers to her
Cabinet, Prime Minister Hasina is continuing to snub Awami
League stalwarts who failed to support her when she was in
jail. While this tactic brings new faces to the government,
she risks further alienating senior party members. Post will
continue to gather information on Cabinet members. One
interesting feature of the newly expanded Cabinet is the
number of former leftists given Ministerial rank.
MORIARTY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS USAID AND PEACE CORPS
DEPT FOR SCA/PB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BG PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: NEW MINISTERS ADDED TO HASINA'S CABINET
--------------
NEW CABINET FACES
--------------
1. (U) In a surprise move, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina named
six more state ministers on January 24, bringing the number
of people in her Cabinet to 38. All of the new ministers
are lawyers and four are new to public office. All six were
active in campaigning for Hasina's release from prison last
year, demonstrating that loyalty to her remains the key
factor in becoming a senior government official. The cabinet
expansion also appeared intended to lighten some of the load
on Hasina, by allowing her to shed several less important
portfolios.
-------------- --------------
APPOINTMENTS HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF CERTAIN ISSUES
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) The new State Minister for Energy and Mineral
Resources is Shamsul Haq and the new State Minister for
Religious Affairs is Shahjahan Miah. Both appointments
indicate Prime Minister Hasina's seriousness in tackling
these issues at the outset of her tenure. The Religious
Affairs portfolio has taken on increased importance in the
wake of an ongoing dispute over the appointment of the Khatib
(chief imam) at the National Mosque (septel). Other new
state ministers are Adbul Mannan, Housing and Public Works;
Motahar Hossain, Primary and Mass Education; Jahangir Kabir,
Local Government and Rural Development; and Kamrul Islam,
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. As Prime Minister,
Hasina has retained the portfolios for the Armed Forces
Division, the Cabinet Division, the Ministry of Defense, and
the Ministry Women and Children's Affairs. Some speculate
Hasina's Cabinet will ultimately include more than 50 people.
--------------
CORRUPTION BAGGAGE?
--------------
3. (SBU) Prime Minister Hasina was jailed on graft
allegations by the Caretaker Government, and at least one of
the new state ministers also appears to have been in trouble.
Jahangir Kabir, a former Awami League student leader, was on
the Anti-Corruption Commission's list of graft suspects and
disappeared shortly after the Caretaker Government started a
crackdown on corruption in January 2007. He resurfaced only
weeks ahead of the December 29 Parliamentary elections. With
the unrest caused by Awami League student groups, having the
former head of the party's youth front in the Cabinet should
help Hasina keep control over potential trouble makers.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) With the addition of these novice ministers to her
Cabinet, Prime Minister Hasina is continuing to snub Awami
League stalwarts who failed to support her when she was in
jail. While this tactic brings new faces to the government,
she risks further alienating senior party members. Post will
continue to gather information on Cabinet members. One
interesting feature of the newly expanded Cabinet is the
number of former leftists given Ministerial rank.
MORIARTY