BNP CHAIR ZIA SLAMS AWAMI LEAGUE, PROMOTES

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000082 NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/INSB E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2035 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS PINR ECON SOCI KDEM BG SUBJECT: BNP CHAIR ZIA SLAMS AWAMI LEAGUE, PROMOTES DEVELOPMENT; SCA PDAS ENCOURAGES CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chair Begum Khaleda Zia alleged Awami League abuses and slights toward her party to visiting PDAS Moon and the Ambassador on January 21, decrying the AL's denial of a proper role in Parliament for the BNP as the lead opposition party. She reiterated the BNP's commitment to democracy and Bangladesh's development, especially regarding education and healthcare. She stated that if the Awami League continued to formulate policy on issues of national concern without consulting the BNP, her party would mobilize street demonstrations. The PDAS encouraged Khaleda to pursue a constructive dialogue with the Awami League and not resort to violent street protests. Khaleda: BNP Denied Role in Government -------------- ¶2. (C) During an hour-long meeting with SCA PDAS Moon on the evening of January 21, BNP Chairwoman Begum Khaleda Zia accused the Awami League of undermining the BNP's efforts, as the opposition party, to have a role in Parliament and in policy formulation. She recited a litany of alleged abuses committed by Awami League members and leaders that included attacks on BNP supporters, offices, and businesses; personnel reassignments that increased Awami League influence within the police, military, and civil service; and politically-motivated prosecutions (for corruption) against Khaleda, her sons, and other key BNP leaders. AL Failure to Consult, Engage BNP -------------- ¶3. (C) Khaleda stated the BNP had attempted to work with the Awami League in Parliament, but the Awami League leadership had refused to debate BNP issues or "responsibly engage" the BNP. Khaleda noted the Awami League did not consult the BNP when it crafted proposed agreements with India in preparation for the Prime Minister's recent trip to India. She also mentioned how Awami League politicians, including the Prime Minister, made inappropriate comments and personal attacks against the BNP and its leaders. (Note: For example, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated in parliament, during a question and answer session in Parliament on January 20, her disbelief that Zia Rahman, Khaleda's husband and BNP founder, was actually buried in his tomb. End note.) The Chairwoman said it was the Awami League's "duty" to reach out to the BNP. Khaleda stated that if the Awami League continued to pressure the BNP, her party would call for street demonstrations. (Note: BNP Secretary-General Khondkar Delwar Hossain, Advisory Council Members Reaz Rahman, and Sabihuddin Ahmed also attended the meeting. End Note.) PDAS Stresses Constructive Political Debate -------------- ¶4. (S) PDAS Moon and the Ambassador stressed to Khaleda that a constructive political discourse was the responsibility of both parties and not just the Awami League. They reiterated that a constructive political debate was best accomplished in Parliament and not through street demonstrations aimed at bringing down the government. (Note: The previous day Secretary General Delwar called, during a BNP-sponsored commemoration of Zia Rahman's birthday, for the removal of the government through a "movement." He described the Awami League-led government as "autocratic in the guise of democracy." He said, "There is no option but to wage movement against the government's misdeeds and repression on the opposition and people." He noted that students would be the key to the "oust-government movement." End note.) U.S. Urges Dialogue, Not Street Action -------------- ¶5. (S) The Ambassador emphasized that rather than thinking about mobilizing street demonstration the BNP should continue DHAKA 00000082 002 OF 002 to address issues of national interest, highlight abuses, participate in Parliament, and prepare for the next general election in four years. He explained the United States wanted a prosperous, democratic Bangladesh. The Ambassador noted that violent street protests would undermine democratic processes and warned that should they occur the United States would speak out against the violence. Khaleda was clearly upset at the admonishment against using street protests to bring down the government. She replied, "Our demonstrations will be peaceful. We are not Awami League." Her senior advisors assured the PDAS and Ambassador that the BNP did not intend to use street violence to destabilize the government. BNP Committed to Development -------------- ¶6. (C) Khaleda reiterated the BNP's commitment to democracy and improving living conditions in Bangladesh, especially for women. She noted her special interest in improving education, particularly in rural areas. She also underscored the need for family planning programs, and said that poverty and family size contributed to national health concerns. She praised microcredit lending programs and their positive effects in rural areas. She blamed the Awami League for staple food price increases. PDAS Moon pointed out that debating health care policy and other issues on their merits represented a politically constructive avenue for the BNP. He noted the strong relationship the U.S. has had with Bangladesh, including when the BNP was in power. He said Bangladesh was an important partner and emphasized the United States' desire for a prosperous and democratic Bangladesh. Comment -------------- ¶7. (S/NF) The meeting provided an opportunity to reiterate U.S. commitment to a stable, prosperous, and democratic Bangladesh. With senior BNP leaders beginning to lay the foundation for mobilizing street protests, the meeting also offered an opportunity for the United States to express concern over the continued reliance, by both parties, on confrontations in the streets to undermine their adversaries. Khaleda's focus on substantive issues during parts of her meeting with the PDAS was encouraging, while the street action advocacy of her senior advisors was disturbingly familiar. We will continue to promote a constructive bipartisan dialogue with leaders from both the Awami League and the BNP. ¶8. (U) PDAS Moon cleared this cable. MORIARTY