BANGLADESH TO ABSTAIN ON KOSOVO IMF/WB MEMBERSHIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000392 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/INSB, EUR/SCE SHIRATORI, EEB/IFD/OMA FREUDENWALD, EEB/IFD/ODF LAITINEN TREASURY FOR DANIEL SCHMERIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2019 TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL BG KV SUBJECT: BANGLADESH TO ABSTAIN ON KOSOVO IMF/WB MEMBERSHIP REF: STATE 33629 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty for reason 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador Moriarty delivered the demarche (reftel) to Bangladesh Finance Minister A.M.A. Muhith. The Minister said Bangladesh would participate in the vote on Kosovo membership in IMF/WB, but would abstain on the question. The Minister understood the need to have a quorum. ¶2. (C) Acting DCM, along with German, French and Italian Ambassadors and UK High Commission's Political Counselor met with Foreign Secretary Towhid Hossain to urge Bangladesh to support Kosovo's IMF and World Bank Membership. Hossain expressed sympathy for the people of Kosovo and said the GOB was looking for a way to recognize the country's independence. In the meantime it would consider its vote on Kosovo's membership in the IMF and World Bank. Hossain understood the need to reach a quorum. Hossain asked which other countries that had yet to recognize Kosovo planned to participate in the vote. MORIARTY