(U) ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE'S SEPTEMBER 28,

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 103560

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2019
TAGS: BG PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: (U) ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE'S SEPTEMBER 28,
2009 MEETING WITH BANGLADESHI FOREIGN MINISTER DIPU MONI

Classified By: ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBLAKE


1. (U) Participants:

U.S.
Robert O. Blake, SCA Assistant Secretary
Matthew Lowe, Special Assistant
Elena Soderblom, Bureau Notetaker

BANGLADESH
Dipu Moni, Foreign Minister
Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, Foreign Secretary


2. (U) SUMMARY. In a meeting on the margins of UNGA with
South and Central Asian Affairs Assistant Secretary Blake,
Foreign Minister Moni expressed enthusiasm regarding the
potential benefits of improved Indo-Bangladeshi relations,
adding that both sides intend to cooperate more on security,
water and regional issues. Moni related that Bangladesh
plans to stay engaged with Burma to determine maritime
boundaries and to prevent further Rohinga persecution and
migration. The Foreign Minister also requested that the U.S.
repatriate "the self-confessed killers of the father of the
nation," and contended that trials of opposition party
members sought to "heal the wounds." END SUMMARY.

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BANGLADESH FOCUSED ON CLIMATE CHANGE
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3. (U) Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni commended the
U.S. for its focus in UNGA on food security and climate
change, both of which will impact Bangladesh. Moni related
that while rising sea levels could displace as many as 20
million people in the future, the country must already
contend with increased soil salinity and severe floods. In
response, the Prime Minister has called for the development
of saline-resistant seeds, about which Bangladesh has started
talks with the International Rice Institute in Manila, Moni
reported.

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CLEARING THE COBWEBS OF INDO-BANGLADESHI RELATIONS
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4. (U) Blake observed that Moni had made a productive visit
to India. Moni explained that her trip served the dual
purpose of paving the way for the Prime Minister,s upcoming
visit, and starting to "clear the cobwebs" of 26 years of
tension between the two countries. Moni said that India,s
and Bangladesh,s political motives have long been
misperceived by both sides, and that communication,
domestically and bilaterally, is the key to improved
relations. The longstanding relationship between the Awami
League in Bangladesh and Congress Party in India has also
helped, she recognized. Both countries are eager to work
together on counter-terrorism, trade and investment, water
sharing, and road/transport connectivity. Foreign Secretary
Quayes underscored that Indian officials have exhibited "a
readiness to go the extra mile" in talks. Blake encouraged
the growing bond, noting that India,s increasing confidence
and economic success puts it in a position to forge regional
stability, to the benefit of Bangladesh and its neighbors.


5. (U) Blake supported the need for improved regional
connectivity, noting the great potential for trade, and
suggesting the Indo-Sri Lankan Free Trade Agreement as a
model. Moni expressed regret at the lack of physical
connectivity, noting that many links, such as roads and
railways, have remained disconnected even as regional
relations improve. She said that Bangladesh and India now
have a commitment to finalize a water sharing agreement, and
are working to allow Nepal and Bhutan port access across
Indian borders. While efforts to improve bilateral trade are
underway, the two countries lack sufficient cooperation on
counter terrorism, and plan to improve border control to
check illegal movement. The Prime Minister will continue to
promote her regional task force proposal, seeking to improve
multilateral cooperation in fighting terrorist organizations
and the networks that allow these organizations to operate
across borders.

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ENGAGING WITH BURMA
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6. (C) Noting the Administration,s decision to re-start
Assistant Secretary level engagement with Burma, Blake
inquired about Bangladeshi relations with Burma, including
maritime boundary disputes. Moni maintained that constant
engagement and communication are the keys to avoiding
misunderstanding, and mitigating possible military action.
She seemed confident that their relationship would move in a
positive direction through renewed bilateral discussions,
after 22 years of severed ties. She also noted that
Bangladesh, Burma and India have a "gentlemen,s agreement"
to avoid all gas exploration in disputed territories.


7. (U) Moni said Bangladesh is weary of the way Burma has
handled the Rohingya refugee problem, but hopes that progress
will be made after the next Burmese elections. After removing
the group from its ethnic minority list in December, Burma
has now reacknowledged the Rohingya as Burmese, but has yet
to address the persecution returning refugees continue to
face. She suggested that the Burmese government need to fix
the economic and cultural disparities that keep producing a
"steady flow" of refugees. Moni requested international
assistance in pressuring Burma to look at citizenship
policies.

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LABOR RIGHTS AND TRAFFICKING
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8. (U) Blake suggested that Bangladesh should continue
improving workers, rights, particularly in export processing
zones. Moni said that in a recent Cabinet meeting with the
National Welfare Assocation, the GOB had decided to allow
these workers the right to organize. She touted the
importance of labor rights to her country, noting that the
father of the nation was once a leader of dock workers. The
GOB is also working to improve labor conditions for garment
workers, she reported, and has started to engage with other
countries to guarantee rights for migrant workers. Moni
thanked the U.S. for our pressure on the Gulf states on this
matter, and asked for support for an international compact.
She also noted future talks with the Philippines and Sri
Lanka to reduce trafficking abuses.

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ACKNOWLEDGING KOSOVO,S INDEPENDENCE
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9. (U) Blake requested that Bangladesh acknowledge Kosovo,s
independence, noting the large number of countries and
international organizations that have already done so. Moni
said that her country is giving it "active consideration,"
and acknowledged that at least eleven countries in the
Organization of Islamic Countries have recognized Kosovo.

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REPATRIATING SHEIKH MUJIB,S KILLERS
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10. (C) The Foreign Minister requested our support in
repatriating the accused killers of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
(father of the current PM),known to be in the U.S. She
urged that even without an extradition treaty, such important
issues should be handled on a case-by-case basis, and noted
that we have obliged similar cases before. Blake responded
that the lack of an extradition treaty can make repatriation
difficult, but promised to look into the matter.

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WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL
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11. (U) Moni also mentioned Bangladesh,s intention to try
its accused war criminals. She maintained that these trials
were to prosecute crimes, not to pursue a political agenda.
She vowed that the trials would adhere to international
standards. Blake agreed that these trials must be done
correctly and transparently in a way that does not undermine
democracy in Bangladesh.
CLINTON