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) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶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. -------------- MINISTER TALUKDER'S AGENDA -------------- ¶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. -------------- USAID PROJECT IN CHT -------------- ¶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 DHAKA 00000124 002 OF 002 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. -------------- FATE OF THE 1997 PEACE ACCORDS -------------- ¶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. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶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