BANGLADESH: CHITTAGONG HILS TRACTS MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000124

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/PB AND SCA/FO, PEACECORPS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2019
TAGS: BG EAID PGOV PHUM PREF PREL SENV
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH: CHITTAGONG HILS TRACTS MINISTER
FOCUSED ON LAND AND ENVIRONMENT ISSUES

REF: A. 08 DHAKA 833

B. 08 DHAKA 659

C. 08 DHAKA 470

D. 08 DHAKA 292

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


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SUMMARY
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1. (U) The new State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts
(CHT) Affairs told the Ambassador that his top priority was
resolving land disputes that frequently flare up between
ethnic minorities indigenous to the CHT and Bengali migrants.
During the Ambassador's February 1 courtesy call, the new
State Minister, Dipankar Talukder, pledged to assist the USG
in its efforts to implement a USAID-funded biodiversity
program in the CHT. The Ambassador underscored U.S. support
for the implementation of the 1997 Peace Accord, which aims
to resolve tensions between ethnic minorities and Bengali
settlers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

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MINISTER TALUKDER'S AGENDA
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2. (C) The newly-appointed State Minister for Chittagong Hill
Tracts (CHT) Affairs Dipakar Talukder told the Ambassador
February 1 that resolving land disputes was his first
priority in his new role. (NOTE: The rank of State Minister
is slightly below that of Minister, but as head of a
government ministry, Talukder participates in cabinet
meetings. END NOTE.) Talukder,s other priorities include
reorganizing the Land Commission, which is responsible for
resolving land disputes between indigenous people and Bengali
settlers, and addressing the problems of internally displaced
people.


3. (C) Land conflict in the Chittagong Hill Tracts centers
around the pressure placed on the livelihoods of several of
the CHT,s indigenous tribes as a result of an influx of
ethnic Bengali migrants. The police and the military (both of
whom are largely Bengali) often get involved in land disputes
between the indigenous population and settlers. Frequently
authorities rule in favor of ethnic Bengalis, aggravating
tensions. Talukder noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
had charged him with finding a good candidate to lead the
Land Commission in the CHT.


4. (C) Talukder said that young, well-trained and
well-equipped police officers were the key to ensuring
security in the CHT. Ethnic tensions were responsible for
continued activity of small, armed insurgent groups, which
had contributed to regional instability, the CHT Minister
noted. Talukder said he had spoken with Shantu Larma, who
chairs the CHT Regional Council (charged with codifying
customary tribal laws and supporting the three CHT District
Councils),and with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Taluker had
recommended to both that the GoB send 40 to 50 "good police
officers" to the CHT.


5. (C) Talukder stressed the importance of programs like the
International Visitor's Program, which he participated in
from 1991 to 1992. He suggested increasing the number of
program participants. The Ambassador requested Talukder
introduce to the Embassy some members of the younger
generation of hill tracts residents whom Talukder considered
future leaders. Talukder seemed pleased with the suggestion
and agreed.

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USAID PROJECT IN CHT
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6. (C) The Ambassador highlighted a new USAID environment
project in CHT, the Integrated Protected Area Co-Management
(IPAC) project. The IPAC project focuses on conserving bio
diversity in the hill tracts by including indigenous
community members in the management of the protected forest
areas. The Ambassador expressed concern that CHT Regional
Council Chairman Shantu Larma, while supportive of IPAC
goals, wanted to postpone implementation of IPAC until
decision making authority over CHT forests was transferred to
the CHT District Council. Talukder noted that opposition
from the Regional Council on this and other issues often was
to the detriment of the people of the hill tracts. He

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promised to review the issue in greater depth. Talukder
offered to take the issue to the Prime Minister if he was
unable to make any progress.

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FATE OF THE 1997 PEACE ACCORDS
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7. (C) The Ambassador expressed USG support for implementing
the 1997 Peace Accord. The 1997 Peace Accord between the
Government of Bangladesh and the main CHT insurgency group
aimed to resolve tensions between the ethnic Bengali and
tribal groups in the CHT but had not been fully implemented
since its ratification. Talukder explained the new government
was preparing to implement the accord and work with tribal
factions and other interested parties. He noted that most of
the legislation was already in place to permit
implementation.

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COMMENT
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8. (C//NF) An active member of the Awami League (AL) since
1973, Talukder seems to enjoy some access to Hasina, though
his effectiveness will probably be determined by Hasina's
willingness to support his agenda. The AL will most likely
implement the 1997 Peace Accord which was brokered by the
last AL government. The accord has since languished under
BNP, and then the caretaker government's rule. We will
continue to work with Talukder on USAID,s IPAC project.
MORIARTY