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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05DHAKA1149 |
OPPOSITION PARTIES PUSH ELECTORAL PROCESS REFORMS [...] (SBU) On March 15, the Awami League (AL) and its opposition partners held a roundtable seminar on "Democracy and Election: necessity of reforming the caretaker government system" to promote "reforms" to guarantee free and fair elections. Participants argued for a consensus "non-partisan" hea [...] |
2005-03-15 07:09:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA1409 |
PRE-MONSOON STORMS HIT BANGLADESH HARD [...] (U) SUMMARY: On March 20, a tornado and hailstorm razed villages, crops, trees and electricity poles in Gaibandha and Rangpur in north Bangladesh. On March 22 and 23 a heavy windstorm hit several villages in Dhaka Division, again destroying crops and homes. At last count, 48 people were kill [...] |
2005-03-24 10:32:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EAID BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA2185 |
Media Reaction: U.K. Elections; Dhaka [...] No summary [...] |
2005-05-09 03:00:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED | KMDR OIIP OPRC KPAO PREL ETRD PTER ASEC BG OCII BGD |
| 05DHAKA2198 |
CHITTAGONG MAYORAL ELECTION [...] (SBU) Summary. Early reports from Chittagong indicate a generally peaceful and orderly election with Awami League incumbent Mohiuddin Chowdhury running neck and neck with his BNP rival, Civil Aviation State Minister Mohammed Nasiruddin. Several weeks ago, Chowdhury was the clear front-runner, [...] |
2005-05-09 08:15:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA2215 |
CHITTAGONG MAYORAL ELECTION RESULTS: AWAMI LEAGUE [...] (U) In a generally peaceful and orderly election with only scattered reports of irregularities, the current Chittagong mayor, Awami League's ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, won with 350,891 votes while the BNP challenger, Mohammad Nasiruddin received 259,410 votes. 2. (SBU) The Chief Election Com [...] |
2005-05-10 07:50:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA2401 |
OPPOSITION REJECTS NEW CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER [...] (U) On May 23, the BNP government appointed Justice M.A.Aziz as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to replace M.A. Syed whose tenure ended May 22. Aziz is the ninth Chief Election Commissioner since independence and a member of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. According to media r [...] |
2005-05-24 07:56:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA2407 |
OUTGOING CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER FRETS ABOUT [...] (C) Summary. Just retired Chief Election Commissioner Syed says reforms are critical for the next general election because of the unprecedented bitterness in Bangladeshi politics. His reform proposals focus on strengthening the integrity of the Election Commission and the voting process, as [...] |
2005-05-24 07:59:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA2666 |
OPPOSITION KEEPS DISTANCING ITSELF FROM THE [...] (C) Summary. The Awami League is systematically opting out of the political process, a high-risk strategy that could severely limit its options at election time. End Summary. Opting Out ---------- 2. (C) Thus far in 2005, the opposition Awami League has decided to: A) Boycott by-ele [...] |
2005-06-08 08:55:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA2702 |
NEW CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER PROMISES NEUTRAL [...] (C) Summary. The new Chief Election Commissioner says he has the tools and the commitment to do the job right, but his characterization of the notorious Dhaka 10 by-election last year as free and fair calls into question his credibility and candor. End Summary. 2. (SBU) On June 8, P/E cou [...] |
2005-06-09 09:26:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA2749 |
BANGLADESH UNVEILS ELECTION-FOCUSED FY 2006 BUDGET [...] (SBU) Summary: Finance Minister Saifur Rahman unveiled the FY 2006 (July 2005-June 2006) budget on June 10, generating controversy over extension of the "whitening of black money" provision and general concern that the budget is election focused and potentially inflationary with its strong em [...] |
2005-06-13 09:55:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON ETRD BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA3132 |
BEPZA CLAIMS PROGRESS ON ELECTIONS AND RESOLVING [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. BEPZA, with a revised count of factories that need to have elections, said that elections will be completed within weeks, arbitrators will be hired to resolve labor-management disputes, and "conciliators" will train workers on labor issues after elections, While a number of all [...] |
2005-07-05 07:07:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB ETRD PHUM PREL BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA3249 |
FIRST RAINS BRING FLOODS TO BANGLADESH, [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Despite record-breaking floods during last year's monsoon season, national and local Dhaka governments appear ill prepared to prevent floods this year. Prime Ministerial promises not-withstanding, media and BDG sources report that water pumps have not been upgraded or serviced, [...] |
2005-07-11 09:01:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR EAID ECON ENRG SENV TPHY BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA3406 |
OPPOSITION LEADER URGES USG TO ENSURE LEVEL [...] (C) Summary: Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina told CDA that the international community "has to ensure a fair election if you want to see us participate." Hasina complained of BNP coalition "terrorism" intimidating her supporters while noting the achievements of past Awami League governments. E [...] |
2005-07-18 08:14:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA3407 |
BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 2 [...] Summary: This cable updates the information provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was fairly active over the country last week. Light to heavy rainfall was recorded at many places over the Brahmaputra, the Ganges, the Meghna basins and South Eastern Hill basin. As a result, flash floo [...] |
2005-07-18 08:51:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID BG IT TH NP IN BGD |
| 05DHAKA3408 |
OPPOSITION UPS THE STAKES WITH AGGRESSIVE REFORM [...] (C) Summary: The Awami League's 31-point electoral "reform" program proposes major changes to the caretaker government system, the Election Commission, and general election procedures and qualifications. The BNP criticized the proposals as unnecessary and divisive, and suggested the AL take t [...] |
2005-07-18 10:52:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA360 |
ANOTHER LETHAL ATTACK ON THE AWAMI LEAGUE [...] (C) Summary. The January 27 attack that killed former Awami League finance minister Kibria and at least three other party activists is the latest in a series of unsolved assaults on opposition leaders. There are reports of scattered AL protests, mainly in the area of the attack. It is uncle [...] |
2005-01-28 11:59:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PREL PHUM BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA361 |
LIST OF UNSOLVED BOMBINGS [...] According to local press reports, there have been 18 unsolved bombings in Bangladesh since 1999 (when the Awami League ruled) that have killed 140 persons and injured thousands more. Seven of those incidents were in Sylhet district, where former AL finance minister Kibria was killed on Januar [...] |
2005-01-29 08:53:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PHUM PGOV BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA3635 |
BANGLADESHI SCIENCE MINISTER WANTS NUCLEAR POWER [...] (S) SUMMARY: Bangladesh's Minister of Science has told U.S. officials he wants to obtain a commercial nuclear reactor to supply electric power to Bangladesh. No other BDG ministry has expressed support for Khan's proposal. Khan has also approached the Chinese with his interest in a reactor, c [...] |
2005-07-28 07:33:00 | Embassy Dhaka | SECRET | ENRG ECON MNUC PARM PREL TRGY TSPL BG CH BGD |
| 05DHAKA3696 |
BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 4 [...] Summary: This cable updates the information provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was less active over the Brahmaputra, the Ganges and the South Eastern Hill basins last week. Light rainfall was recorded at all except one place in these three river basins. The Meghna basin experien [...] |
2005-08-01 07:10:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID BG IT TH NP IN BGD |
| 05DHAKA4155 |
BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 7 [...] Summary: This cable updates the information provided in the referenced cable. The overall flood situation in Bangladesh is localized and within local coping capacity. The Bangladesh Government (BDG) and relief agencies are monitoring the situation and are in contact with key disaster partner [...] |
2005-08-22 10:06:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID BG IT TH NP IN BGD |
| 05DHAKA4268 |
BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 8 [...] Summary: This cable updates the information provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was fairly active over Bangladesh during the past week. The overall flood situation in Bangladesh is localized and within local coping capacity. The flood situation continues to improve in most areas. T [...] |
2005-08-29 09:51:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID BG IT TH NP IN BGD |
| 05DHAKA4334 |
Bangladesh ruling coalition wins a by-election [...] (U) On August 30, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate, Shah Abu Zafar, won a parliamentary by- election in a traditional Awami League constituency, defeating rival Mufti Sharafat Hossain of Islamic Unity Council (IOJ). Out of more than 323,000 voters, less than half voted. BNP' [...] |
2005-09-01 04:49:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA4395 |
BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. [...] Summary: This cable updates the information provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was moderately active over Bangladesh during the past week. The overall flood situation in Bangladesh is not at the alarm stage. The flood situation continues to improve in most areas. The Bangladesh G [...] |
2005-09-06 10:41:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID BG IT TH NP IN BGD |
| 05DHAKA4565 |
BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 10 [...] Summary: This cable updates the information provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was light to moderate over Bangladesh during the past week. The flood situation continues to improve in most places of the country. The Bangladesh Government Flood Forecasting and Warning Center reports [...] |
2005-09-12 11:06:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID BG IT TH NP IN BGD |
| 05DHAKA4805 |
BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 11 [...] Summary: This cable updates the information provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was light to moderate over Bangladesh during the past week. The flood situation continues to improve in most places of the country. The Bangladesh Government Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) [...] |
2005-09-25 05:56:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID BG IT TH NP IN BGD |
| 05DHAKA4849 |
BANGLADESH SAYS NO TO WESTERN-SPONSORED ELECTION [...] No summary [...] |
2005-09-26 12:20:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM BG BGD |
| 05DHAKA4861 |
BANGLADESH 2005 FLOOD CONDITION REPORT NO. 12 [...] Summary: This cable updates the information provided in the referenced cable. The monsoon was light to moderate over Bangladesh during the past week. The flood situation continues to improve in most places of the country. The Bangladesh Government Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) [...] |
2005-09-27 08:03:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID BG IT TH NP IN BGD |
| 06DHAKA239 |
STACKING THE ELECTION COMMISSION [...] (SBU) On January 16, President Iajuddin Ahmed, acting on the advice of PM Zia, appointed two new commissioners to the Election Commission (EC): BNP loyalists Mahfuzur Rahman, former High Court Justice, and S.M. Zakaria, the now former Secretary of the EC. Both men are expected to side with [...] |
2006-01-17 11:39:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM BG KGOV BGD |
| 06DHAKA280 |
YOUR VISIT TO BANGLADESH [...] (S) Everything and nothing has changed in Bangladesh since your last visit in May 2005. JMB's stunning onslaught of violence finally forced the BDG to acknowledge that terrorism and extremism exist in Bangladesh, but domestic politics remain as polarized and painful as ever. Your BNP and MFA [...] |
2006-01-20 11:54:00 | Embassy Dhaka | SECRET | PREL PTER KISL KDEM BG BGD |
| 06DHAKA338 |
TILTING AT WINDMILLS [...] (C) Kamal Hossain is the principal drafter of Bangladesh's constitution and the country's most prominent civil libertarian. Foreign minister in Sheikh Mujib's government, he left the Awami League, he says, to protest the AL's embrace of black money and thugery in post-Ershad politics. As cha [...] |
2006-01-23 08:13:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM PTER BG BGD |
| 06DHAKA353 |
HARTAL KICKS OFF NEW OPPOSITION PROGRAM [...] (SBU) On January 22, the Awami League led a nationwide strike (hartal) called to protest the recent activities of the Election Commission (EC), including the recent appointment of two controversial Commissioners and the EC's apparent determination to continue creating a new voter role (reftel [...] |
2006-01-23 11:45:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV BD BGD |
| 06DHAKA354 |
JAMAAT ISLAMI LEADER DISCUSSES POLITICS [...] (C) Summary: On January 19, Poloff met Jamaat Islami Assistant Secretary General Abdul Quader Molla in his JI offices. Molla predicted that the AL would join the election, and said JI would welcome Ershad's party to the BNP/JI alliance. He saw no long-term fallout from JMB's attacks on JI's [...] |
2006-01-24 01:31:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | KISL PGOV PREL BG JI BGD |
| 06DHAKA429 |
SCA A/S ROCCA MEETS WITH MFA OFFICIALS [...] (C) Summary and Introduction: SCA A/S Christina Rocca discussed concerns over the rise in extremism and terrorist acts, upcoming elections, and governance issues. MFA officials assured her that BDG is committed to addressing these issues and has made significant progress in combating terrori [...] |
2006-01-27 07:56:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER ETRD BG BGD |
| 06DHAKA431 |
A/S ROCCA MEETS WITH BANGLADESH PM ZIA [...] (C) Summary: In a January 26 meeting with Prime Minister Zia, Assistant Secretary for South Asia Christina Rocca discussed extremism, elections and political violence and delivered the President's letter to the PM. PM Zia reiterated her commitment to speak out forcefully against extremism [...] |
2006-01-27 08:07:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER KDEM KCRM BG BGD |
| 06DHAKA563 |
SCA A/S ROCCA'S MEETING WITH GENERAL ERSHAD [...] (SBU) On January 27, SCA A/S Christina Rocca met with Jatiya Party chairman General Ershad. Charge and conoff (notetaker) were also present. 2. (C) Asked to comment on the current state of affairs in Bangladesh, Ershad replied, &You mean fundamentalism and the Election Commission?8 [...] |
2006-02-02 00:48:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV BG BGD |
| 06DHAKA564 |
SCA A/S ROCCA'S MEETING WITH AWAMI LEAGUE LEADER [...] (C) Summary: Sheikh Hasina complained that the ruling BNP-JI coalition seeks to eliminate all opposition in the run-up to the next election, and that given a free and fair choice, the Bangladeshi people would naturally choose the Awami League as their leaders. However, she declined to m [...] |
2006-02-02 00:49:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV BG BGD |
| 06DHAKA590 |
OPPOSITION CONTINUES PROTESTS WITH NATION-WIDE [...] No summary [...] |
2006-02-02 09:46:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KCRM BG BGD |
| 06DHAKA628 |
KIBRIA MURDER TRIAL ADJOURNS UNTIL LATE FEBRUARY [...] (SBU) Summary: The judge of the Kibria murder trial denied most defense motions before adjourning it until late February at the earliest. End Summary. 2. (SBU) On February 7, eight defendants charged with the January 27, 2005, murder of A.M.S. Shah Kibria went on trial in a speedy tribunal [...] |
2006-02-07 12:00:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | KCRM PHUM BG BGD |
| 06DHAKA705 |
MICRO-CREDIT BANK BOSS PROPOSES POLITICAL FORMULA [...] (SBU) On February 4, micro-credit pioneer and Grameen Bank Managin Dr. Muhammad Yunus proposed that political parties choose a respected find a solution to the deadlock over modalities for holding the next elections. Speaking at a gala dinner to commemorate the founding of Star newspaper, Yunu [...] |
2006-02-09 08:37:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV BG BGD |
| 06DHAKA752 |
MICRO-CREDIT BANK BOSS PROPOSES POLITICAL FORMULA [...] (SBU) On February 4, micro-credit pioneer and Grameen Bank Managing Director Dr. Muhammad Yunus proposed that political parties choose a respected citizen to find a solution to the deadlock over modalities for holding the next general elections. Speaking at a gala dinner to commemorate the fo [...] |
2006-02-13 01:32:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV BG BGD |
| 06DHAKA753 |
MICRO-CREDIT BANK BOSS PROPOSES POLITICAL FORMULA [...] (SBU) On February 4, micro-credit pioneer and Grameen Bank Managing Director Dr. Muhammad Yunus proposed that political parties choose a respected citizen to find a solution to the deadlock over modalities for holding the next general elections. Speaking at a gala dinner to commemorate the fo [...] |
2006-02-13 01:41:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV BG BGD |
| 06DHAKA760 |
OPPOSITION LEADER RETURNS TO PARLIAMENT: DEMANDS [...] (SBU) On the evening of February 12, opposition leader Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League (AL) returned to Parliament ending a nearly 14 month boycott. Under Parliamentary rules, the AL had until February 14 to take their seats or forfeit them. On July 14, 2004 the AL walked out of Parliament [...] |
2006-02-13 08:27:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL BD BGD |
| 06DHAKA820 |
SCENESETTER FOR CODEL CROWLEY [...] (SBU) Everything and nothing has changed since your last visit to Bangladesh in January 2004. The economy continues to grow annually at a robust 5-6 percent, but infrastructure and other problems prevent real inroads on poverty reduction. The feared loss of jobs in the garment industry with t [...] |
2006-02-14 10:26:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP BG BGD |
| 06DHAKA866 |
JAMAATUL MUJAHEDIN AND LAW AND ORDER IN RAJSHAHI [...] (C) Summary: Residents of Rajshahi told poloff that Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh (JMB) were once considered favorably when, at first, JMB fought back against the Sharbahara, "leftist" criminals who had plagued citizens for decades. However, the JMB began demanding money for their protection [...] |
2006-02-16 08:48:00 | Embassy Dhaka | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER KISL PGOV BD BG BGD |