A MEETING OF MINDS: U/S MCHALE AND FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000137 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2020 TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO PHUM KDEM SENV BG IN SUBJECT: A MEETING OF MINDS: U/S MCHALE AND FOREIGN MINISTER AGREE ON THE NEED FOR GREATER DIALOGUE AND CLOSER COOPERATION TO SOLVE GLOBAL PROBLEMS Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith McHale and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni discussed opportunities for closer multilateral cooperation, Indo-Bangladesh relations, climate change, and expanded bilateral exchange programs when they met on February 7. Both agreed on the importance of greater dialogue and closer cooperation in order to tackle some of the world,s most pressing problems. The Foreign Minister reiterated the importance of Bangladesh,s relationship with India and the need to improve bilateral ties. Moni and U/S McHale agreed on the benefits of increased cultural, educational and other forms of bilateral exchanges. A Friend of the U.S. -------------- ¶2. (C) U/S McHale remarked that she looked forward to meeting a broad cross section of Bangladeshis during her first visit to the country. She explained that her primary focus was to reach out and strengthen the United States, relationships around the world. In this regard, she looked for ways to enhance cooperation with Bangladesh on a variety of issues including climate change and poverty alleviation. The Foreign Minister noted the importance Bangladesh placed on its partnership with the U.S. and thanked the United States for supporting the country,s return to democracy, terming the United States "a great friend." Women,s Empowerment in Action -------------- ¶3. (C) Moni also pointed out that women had always played an important role in Bangladesh, adding that now their participation was coming into the formal sector. The Under Secretary agreed, stating that the Secretary of State placed great emphasis on women,s empowerment and noting that women in Bangladesh had many great examples to follow such as the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. The Under Secretary added she would recommend Secretary of State Clinton visit Bangladesh. Moni replied that her government would welcome a visit. Cooperation is the name of the game -------------- ¶4. (C) The Under Secretary emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Bangladesh relationship in our interdependent world. She thanked the Foreign Minister for Bangladesh,s support for the Copenhagen Accord on Climate Change. Moni replied that Bangladesh was a "frontline state" for climate change. She emphasized the importance of cooperation on this and other global issues. Under Secretary McHale observed that by backing the Accord, the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) had demonstrated that one could have a different perspective and still work together with the international community. The Under Secretary noted that the Government of Bangladesh was clearly on the right path and that the U.S. wanted to find ways to support it. She added that the U.S. was eager to facilitate Bangladesh,s leadership role in the international arena. Moving Forward with India -------------- ¶5. (C) The Foreign Minister reiterated that Bangladesh,s relationship with India was very important and remarked on how closely intertwined the two countries were. She recounted that children in India learned to draw maps of their country and Bangladesh at the same time since India,s land border with Bangladesh shaped nearly the entire country. According to her, because of narrow political interests, previous governments lost focus on the need to cooperate with India. Cooperation was especially important to promote economic growth, particularly since the countries shared 54 rivers. The Foreign Minister noted that Bangladesh,s bureaucracy and lingering suspicion of India were impediments to cooperation. India, for its part, had also previously neglected relationships with its neighbors. Making the Case for Dialogue -------------- ¶6. (C) The Under Secretary noted the value of increased DHAKA 00000137 002 OF 002 interaction between private citizens. She praised educational and cultural exchanges and pointed out the value of using technology to build bridges between people. McHale noted that open and frank discussion should be a key step in solving many of the world,s problems. Bangladesh,s top diplomat, herself a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, agreed that all forms of exchanges were good and provided a better rounded perspective of the host country. She added that a country as powerful and influential as the U.S. needed to make its case, especially at the individual level. Talking to the Muslim World... -------------- ¶7. (C) The Under Secretary stated that the USG needed to do a better job of explaining its involvement around the world, including combating misperceptions such as the belief that Muslims were not welcome in the U.S. after 9/11. She pointed out that one of America,s greatest strengths and also one of its greatest weaknesses was "our belief in democracy and that we can do anything." The Foreign Minister noted that President Obama,s speech in Cairo had been well received in Bangladesh and that it reflected his commitment and sincerity. Under Secretary McHale said the close U.S. relationship with Bangladesh would help make the case that the U.S. was not hostile to the Muslim world. Peace Corps -------------- ¶8. (C) Moni also asked whether the Peace Corps might be reinstated in Bangladesh (it departed in 2004). The Ambassador explained that Post strongly believed that the Peace Corps should return to Bangladesh and that he had encouraged the Peace Corps Director to revisit this issue. He added that a lot of the misunderstandings between the U.S. and Bangladesh could be resolved by these types of person to person interactions that the Peace Corps would bring. (Note: We are currently awaiting an invitation from the GOB inviting a Peace Corps assessment team to Bangladesh. End note.) Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) The meeting with Foreign Minister Moni hit only high notes. The Awami League government clearly values good relations with the U.S. and is making a sincere attempt to improve relations in the region. We have a chance to make real progress in Bangladesh and in so doing advance key U.S. interests in South Asia and beyond. On a variety of issues from food security to climate change to international terrorism, U.S. and Bangladeshi interests coincide. Now is the time to keep the momentum going. MORIARTY