Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DHAKA1039
2009-11-17 08:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:  

WILLING TO PLAY BALL: BANGLADESH FOREIGN SECRETARY

Tags:  PHUM PREL UN KVIR PINR BM KN BG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0129
PP RUEHBC RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHNEH
RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHTRO
DE RUEHKA #1039/01 3210851
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 170851Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9662
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHZJ/HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON PRIORITY 2943
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0191
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001039 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2019
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN KVIR PINR BM KN BG
SUBJECT: WILLING TO PLAY BALL: BANGLADESH FOREIGN SECRETARY
OPEN TO SOME MOVEMENT ON UNGA RESOLUTIONS KOSOVO
RECOGNITION AND GREATER REGIONAL COOPERATION

REF: A. SECSTATE 108921

B. DHAKA832

Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Summary
----------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001039

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2019
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN KVIR PINR BM KN BG
SUBJECT: WILLING TO PLAY BALL: BANGLADESH FOREIGN SECRETARY
OPEN TO SOME MOVEMENT ON UNGA RESOLUTIONS KOSOVO
RECOGNITION AND GREATER REGIONAL COOPERATION

REF: A. SECSTATE 108921

B. DHAKA832

Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) In a wide ranging meeting with the Ambassador on
November 15, Bangladesh,s No. 2 diplomat, Foreign Secretary
Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, emphasized the importance of close
ties with the United States and discussed the potential for
some movement on UN- related concerns and recognition of
Kosovo. He explained the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) was
sympathetic to criticisms of Burma, Iran and North Korea but
generally opposed country specific resolutions in the United
Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Foreign Secretary noted
that such resolutions were selective -- singling out only a
few countries with poor human rights records while ignoring
others. Quayes also spoke of the potential for cooperation
with India and Burma on cross-border issues. He emphasized
that Bangladesh wanted to project a values-based foreign
policy and demonstrate to the world that it was a moderate
and secular country.

A special relationship?
--------------


2. (SBU) Quayes expressed pleasure at close U.S.-Bangladesh
ties as evidenced by recent high-level USG visits, including
those of Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women,s Issues
Melanne Verveer and Assistant U.S. Trade Representative
(AUSTR) Michael Delaney. Ambassador Moriarty agreed that
these visits helped advance the bilateral agenda. AUSTR
Delaney promoted a U.S.-Bangladesh Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA),and Ambassador Verveer
highlighted the role of women in major USG foreign assistance
priorities, including food security and climate change. The
Ambassador observed that Ambassador Verveer first visited
Bangladesh in 1995, while Chief of Staff to First Lady
Hillary Rodham-Clinton, and was greatly impressed by
Bangladesh on both occasions.

UNGA votes and Kosovo recognition
--------------


3. (C) The Ambassador conveyed our opposition to the use of

"no-action8 motions in the UNGA, which prevented discussion
of and action on human rights issues and ultimately
undermined the UN itself. The Ambassador urged the GOB to
vote in favor of ) or consider abstaining on ) UNGA
resolutions on the human rights situation in Burma, Iran and
North Korea. The Foreign Secretary replied that the GOB was
equally concerned about human rights conditions in these
countries, but questioned whether passing more resolutions
would have any positive impact. In particular, he said the
GOB was more concerned with outcomes and was looking at
other &creative ways8 the international community could
improve the situation in these countries. Country specific
UNGA resolutions appeared selective and inconsistent Quayes
said. The Foreign Secretary indicated the GOB would be
willing to work with the Canadian government to make progress
on human rights concerns in Iran. The Ambassador emphasized
that the Iranian government should face some form of sanction
after its handling of the recent disputed elections. Quayes
agreed and suggested perhaps the UNGA should consider the
idea of an election specific resolution on Iran.


4. (C) The Ambassador also raised the issue of Kosovo
recognition with the Foreign Secretary, who said the GOB was
still deciding whether it would recognize Kosovo. Quayes said
the arguments for recognition were compelling. He added
however, that the GOB was concerned about the security of
small countries and the precedent that would be created for
all states facing ethnic problems by the recognition of
Kosovo.

Burma and India revisited
--------------


5. (C) The Foreign Secretary noted with interest USG efforts
to open a dialogue with the Government of Burma. The
Ambassador said that the USG was trying a &carrot and
stick8 approach and that the junta seemed receptive. Quayes

DHAKA 00001039 002 OF 002


suggested the military dictatorship in Burma may be trying to
gain international legitimacy in the run up to national
elections in the country early next year. Quayes observed
that Bangladesh-Burma relations were complex, despite the
short border and the fact that the GOB was mainly concerned
about the situation of the Rohingya refugees. He
acknowledged the Rohingya were heavily persecuted in Burma
and his government was worried that a deterioration in
conditions there would serve to push greater numbers of
Rohingya into Bangladesh. Urging the international community
to ensure that development efforts target everyone in the
region so as not to create
disparities, Quayes said the refugee camps were artificial
and unsustainable in the long run. He raised concerns that
Rohingya might try to settle outside the camps to access
social services.


6. (C) Quayes said the GOB had restarted bilateral talks on
the maritime boundary issue with Burma and India. At the
same time, Bangladesh had served notice with the United
Nations for arbitration, given that bilateral negotiations
had a tendency to drag on for long periods of time.


7. (C) In terms of bilateral relations with India, the
Foreign Secretary said that in discussions with the Indians
over issues such as transit rights to northeastern India and
greater regional connectivity, the Indians had a lot of needs
but Bangladesh had few. The Ambassador said the GOB should
charge the Indians for access through the country; the
prospect of financial gain would be a huge selling point to
the people of Bangladesh. The Foreign Secretary agreed, but
added that certain sections of the population were
reflexively cynical of any dealings between India and
Bangladesh.

A values-based foreign policy
--------------


8. (C) The Foreign Secretary said Bangladesh wanted to
reassert itself in the subcontinent, basing its foreign
policy on universal values, and demonstrate that politics in
the subcontinent should not just be focused on relations
between India and Pakistan. He added that Bangladesh had
dealt over the course of its history with ideas such as
democracy, human rights, marginalization of cultures and
inclusiveness. Most Bangladeshis recoiled from overt
displays of religion and distrusted the &Pakistan model.8
Quayes said Bangladesh had witnessed a number of trends away
from radicalization. The Ambassador praised Bangladesh,s
success and said it was for these reasons the United States
was interested in seeing this Muslim majority country become
prosperous.

Comment
--------------


9. (C) The Government of Bangladesh seems willing to look at
different possibilities to &move the ball forward8 on the
human rights situation in Burma, Iran and North Korea,
including offering support for an elections-focused
resolution on the Iranian elections. A vote in favor of the
three UN human rights resolutions concerning these three
countries appears unlikely. The GOB continues to waffle over
recognizing Kosovo; it supports Kosovo but appears reluctant
to antagonize Russia. Some speculate Bangladesh does not
want to jeopardize a potential Russian-supported nuclear
power project here. The Foreign Secretary, who previously
served as Bangladesh,s Ambassador to Russia, struck a
moderate tone, was well versed in the issues, and appeared an
effective champion for his country,s agenda.
MORIARTY