Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DHAKA829
2009-08-24 07:39:00
SECRET
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH RELATIONS REMAIN IN DEEP FREEZE
how-toVZCZCXRO9388 RR RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW DE RUEHKA #0829 2360739 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 240739Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9353 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 2909 RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
S E C R E T DHAKA 000829
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL BG
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH RELATIONS REMAIN IN DEEP FREEZE
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T DHAKA 000829
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL BG
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH RELATIONS REMAIN IN DEEP FREEZE
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Outgoing Pakistan High Commissioner Alamgir Bashar
Khan Babar told the Ambassador August 20 he was disappointed
that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had not responded to an
overture from Pakistan to overcome the bitter legacy of the
1971 Liberation War. Babar said that he had delivered two
months earlier to the Prime Minister the Government of
Pakistan's offer to do whatever it could - "within reason" -
to overcome the deep rift which had characterized
Bangladesh-Pakistan relations since the 1971 conflict. The
GOB had, however, provided no response to the Pakistani
offer. Alamgir regretted that Pakistan and Bangladesh had
missed an opportunity to set bilateral relations on a new
path, casting a sour note on his tenure as Pakistani envoy
and upcoming departure from Dhaka.
Comment
--------------
2. (S) Dhaka's refusal to respond to Islamabad's icebreaker
reflects the deep distrust of Pakistan that permeates Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government. The PM's
rebuff reflects the belief among many Awami Leaguers that
Pakistan's intelligence services have provided support to a
number of terrorist groups active inside Bangladesh. Just as
important, the Awami League leadership believes that the GOP
has provided moral and financial support to the party's
bitter political rivals, the Bangladesh National Party (BNP).
That said, poor Bangladesh-Pakistan relations represent a
significant ongoing obstacle to effective U.S.
counter-terrorism cooperation in South Asia and beyond.
MORIARTY
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL BG
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH RELATIONS REMAIN IN DEEP FREEZE
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Outgoing Pakistan High Commissioner Alamgir Bashar
Khan Babar told the Ambassador August 20 he was disappointed
that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had not responded to an
overture from Pakistan to overcome the bitter legacy of the
1971 Liberation War. Babar said that he had delivered two
months earlier to the Prime Minister the Government of
Pakistan's offer to do whatever it could - "within reason" -
to overcome the deep rift which had characterized
Bangladesh-Pakistan relations since the 1971 conflict. The
GOB had, however, provided no response to the Pakistani
offer. Alamgir regretted that Pakistan and Bangladesh had
missed an opportunity to set bilateral relations on a new
path, casting a sour note on his tenure as Pakistani envoy
and upcoming departure from Dhaka.
Comment
--------------
2. (S) Dhaka's refusal to respond to Islamabad's icebreaker
reflects the deep distrust of Pakistan that permeates Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government. The PM's
rebuff reflects the belief among many Awami Leaguers that
Pakistan's intelligence services have provided support to a
number of terrorist groups active inside Bangladesh. Just as
important, the Awami League leadership believes that the GOP
has provided moral and financial support to the party's
bitter political rivals, the Bangladesh National Party (BNP).
That said, poor Bangladesh-Pakistan relations represent a
significant ongoing obstacle to effective U.S.
counter-terrorism cooperation in South Asia and beyond.
MORIARTY