A/DAS OWEN HIGHLIGHTS COUNTER TERRORISM, FOOD

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 DHAKA 000895 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/FO AND SCA/INSB E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD EAGR ENRG PTER BG SUBJECT: A/DAS OWEN HIGHLIGHTS COUNTER TERRORISM, FOOD SECURITY, CLEAN ENERGY AND DEMOCRACY REF: DHAKA 881 Classified By: Ambassador James Moriarty, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Bangladeshi interlocutors engaged on U.S. priorities including counter terrorism, food security, climate change, and clean energy during the September 9-10 visit by SCA Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Michael Owen. In addition to our continued strong partnership in democracy, development and denial of space to terrorism, Bangladesh officials noted their ongoing efforts to ensure food security for millions of Bangladeshis, to prepare for disasters and mitigate against climate change, and to seek clean energy solutions to the nation's power crisis. Owen pushed Opposition BNP Leader Khaleda Zia toward constructive engagement with the ruling Awami League. A/DAS Owen laid the ground work for impending U.S. visits by Bangladesh's top leaders, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni. His visit highlighted Bangladesh's role as a natural, full-spectrum partner for the United States. Food security key -------------- ¶2. (C) A/DAS Owen briefed Food and Disaster Management (FDM) Minister Abdur Razzaq on President Obama's and Secretary Clinton's focus on food security and asked about Bangladesh's efforts in this area. Minister Razzaq told the A/DAS and the Ambassador that his priority was increasing food production in Bangladesh. He said food security was more than just providing food, it also included agricultural research and diversifying crops. He said Bangladesh needed international assistance to implement food security programs. Disaster preparedness and mitigation partnership -------------- ¶3. (C) Minister Razzaq, a long-time Awami League leader and agricultural economist with a Ph.D from Purdue University, expressed his appreciation for USG support for democracy in Bangladesh as well as assistance provided during past natural disasters. He stated that Bangladesh sought long-term, sustainable solutions to mitigate disasters, which were likely to continue as a result of climate change. He stressed the need for continued international support, especially from the United States, for expanding Bangladesh's network of cyclone shelters and building cyclone resistant housing. The Ambassador responded that the U.S. had subject matter experts and other resources that could help with planning and disaster recovery contingencies. Minister Razzak noted that providing potable water remained a key issue for areas hit by cyclones. He explained his ministry was looking at desalination plants and other technology to increase available drinking water. Energy Adviser focused on clean energy -------------- ¶4. (C) The Prime Minister's Energy Adviser, Tawfiq Elahi Chowdhury, said he was looking at all possible clean energy sources to help solve Bangladesh's power crisis, everything from solar power to very small hydropower projects to biomass to more traditional energy sources. Chowdhury told the Ambassador and A/DAS about the Government of Bangladesh's (GOB's) plan to distribute in February two energy-saving light bulbs to every household in Bangladesh in an effort to encourage electricity conservation. This initiative to use energy-saving light bulbs could decrease power consumption by as much as 15 percent in Bangladesh. A/DAS Owen voiced the USG's commitment to developing new clean energy technologies, which would help address another top USG priority, climate change. Overcoming obstacles to coal-fired power -------------- ¶5. (C) The Ambassador inquired about the GOB's plans to develop the country's high-quality coal reserves, noting the potential for U.S. investment in this area. The Adviser admitted the GOB was stymied on this issue, in part due to vocal special interests opposed to coal development. (NOTE: As the opposition party in the previous elected government, the Awami League also agitated against coal development. END DHAKA 00000895 002 OF 003 NOTE.) The Adviser acknowledged that Bangladesh's coal reserves could effectively solve the nation's energy/power crisis, but said his government was looking for ways to make a real coal policy politically palatable. The Adviser said technical and other assistance from the United States could help break the impasse. He added that support from the Bangladesh diaspora in the United States and elsewhere could also help break the logjam. Home Ministry requests support for CT capacity building -------------- ¶6. (C) State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku told the A/DAS and Ambassador that combating terrorism was a top GOB priority and reiterated Bangladesh's ongoing commitment to partnering with the United States on this issue. Tuku described the Home Ministry's ideas for reforming the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) following the February mutiny. Tuku said Bangladesh sought to build the capacity of its main CT force, the Rapid Action Battalions (RAB),as well as the police Special Branch (SB). He noted the success of the recent United States Marshals program with the RAB and requested USG assistance in training the RAB and SB. Border security with India -------------- ¶7. (C) A/DAS Owen asked Tuku about his views on Bangladesh-India cross-border infiltration. Tuku replied that it was easy for people to cross the border in either direction and that criminal elements crossed the border to elude capture. However, he noted India had handed over some suspects to Bangladesh authorities and that Bangladesh was interested in negotiating an extradition treaty with India. War crimes, return of assassins -------------- ¶8. (C) Minister Tuku requested USG technical assistance for Bangladesh's effort to try alleged war criminals from the nation's 1971 War of Liberation. He also asked for the return to Bangladesh from the United States of two individuals accused in the killing of Bangladesh's founding leader (and the Prime Minister's father),Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Begum Zia airs BNP grievances -------------- ¶9. (C) In a meeting with opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Begum Khaleda Zia and several advisors, A/DAS Owen and the Ambassador noted the strong U.S. relationship with previous BNP governments led by Zia and underscored U.S. interest in maintaining a dialogue with BNP leaders. Zia criticized the recent Caretaker Government for persecuting BNP leaders and failing to ensure conditions for a free and fair election in 2008. She accused the ruling Awami League of politicizing the government and mismanaging economic policy while "trying to destroy" the BNP. Owen asked what steps the two major parties could take to work together and reduce partisanship. Zia replied that the BNP had tried to offer constructive proposals in Parliament, but Awami League legislators had "gagged" BNP Members of Parliament by blocking all BNP amendments and preventing the media from filming BNP speeches. BNP focus on grassroots, sniping at GOB -------------- ¶10. (C) Asked about BNP's future vision and rebuilding strategy, Zia said the BNP would focus initially on grassroots organizing and local issues leading up to the party's national convention in December. She said the BNP would continue to speak out on issues of national importance such as the Tipaimukh Dam project in India and the Asian highway, both opposed by the BNP. Zia welcomed U.S. interest in supporting creation of a Bangladesh Foundation to mobilize the Bangladeshi diaspora in the United States Comment -------------- ¶11. (C) Bangladesh, and this government in particular, is a key ally in our global counterterrorism efforts, and we need to continue supporting Bangladesh's efforts to build its CT capacity. Bangladesh's urgent need to improve food security, face climate change and develop clean energy solutions for DHAKA 00000895 003 OF 003 its power crisis means the nation is well-positioned to partner with and benefit from USG initiatives in these areas. As the meeting with Begum Zia illustrated, the opposition BNP remains mired in its 2008 election defeat and claims it is "gagged" by the Awami League, despite the fact that the BNP has boycotted Parliament since early in its first session. Strengthening democracy, battling corruption and meeting global challenges are ripe for discussion during the Foreign Minister's impending visit to Washington and the Prime Minister's upcoming trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. ¶12. (U) A/DAS Owen was unable to clear this message. MORIARTY