USG REJECTS REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR POSSIBLE COUP
S E C R E T DHAKA 003164
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2014
Classified By: Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, reasons 1.4 b and d
¶1. (S) Summary: Retired Bangladesh Army Chief Noorudin Khan asked for
USG support in ending Bangladesh,s current administration
and in bringing a government of national unity consisting of
senior leaders of both major parties. Khan said
Bangladesh,s only way out of dynastic government and the
rise of Islamic extremism was to draft a new constitution
based on the presidential system that would prevent current
Prime Minster Zia or former Prime Minister Hasina from
holding office. He asked for USG support for a two-three year
interim government and a constitutional assembly. Ambassador
responded that the USG would not under any circumstances
support a coup against the Bangladesh Government (BDG), would
ensure that any military action against Prime Minister Zia
would result in sanctions against the successor government.
End Summary.
¶2. (S) Ambassador recently dined with Lt. General Noorudin.
Khan (retired), former Chief of Army Staff and Awami League
cabinet minister, who requested USG assistance in bringing a
government of national unity to power and ridding Bangladesh
of Sheikh Hasina and Khaledia Zia through a series of mass
agitations. Ambassador told Khan that the USG supports
democracy and stability and cannot sanction any extra
constitutional means of removing the government. The USG does
not support military coups stressed the Ambassador.
¶3. (S) Khan responded that Bangladesh,s future is hostage to
two women who cannot put aside their difference for the
nation,s sake. Khan accused the BDG of bankrupting the
military. He said the seven top generals &who he derided as
the malevolent seven8 were the Prime Minister,s brother
(Retired Major Eskander,s) classmates and were chosen for
their loyalty and not competence. He said that the BDG had
started the politicization of the officer,s corps during
Zia,s first term (91-96) and that Hasina had accelerated it
(96-2001). He recommended that General Abu Tayeb Mahammad
Zaahirul Alam (called General Zahir), commandant of the
National Defense College, take charge of the country. He
said that General Zahir is a true supporter of democracy and
would form a government with competent ministers from both
parties for two-three years to improve Bangladesh,s weak
institutions, draft a new constitution, end corruption and to
attract much needed foreign investment before holding
internationally observed democratic elections.
¶4. (S) Khan alleged that the BDG fears coups even from its
Eskander,s batch mates and had sidelined Major General Rokon
to the Quartermaster Corps earlier this year because he was
thought to be a threat to the current government. (Comment:
There is much speculation over Rokon,s reassignment and
while it could have been because he is one of the few
officers thought capable of staging a coup, he is a batch
mate of the Prime Minister,s brother and may have been
placed in a holding pattern until a more lucrative assignment
opens in the coming months. End Comment.)
¶5. (S) Gen Khan, a former minister under Sheikh Hasina resigned
from the Awami League in early 2004 in frustration with its
inability to focus on the future. He accused Hasina of
losing her cards8 after the August 21 attack on the Awami
League. Instead of calling for an independent investigation
and taking the moral high ground, she insisted on repeated
strikes and attempted to bring the government down. She lost
popular support and an unintended consequence may be that the
BDG no longer feels compelled to solve the crime, he said.
Khan said that an interim military government is the only
alternative to continued dynastic politics. He said that
first son Tariq Rahman and his younger brother Arafat Rahman
& will terrorize the country, extort money from businesses
and ruin the economy.8 Khan also belittled the political
abilities of Hasina,s son and sister, asserting they were
equally as corrupt and venal as the Zia,s.
¶6. (S) Khan, in part, blames himself for the country,s
current predicament. He said that when Bangladeshi military
dictator General Ershad was forced out office in 1991, then
Pakistani military chief Aslam Beg, an old friend and
colleague sent him an emissary urging that Khan become the
President. When Khan refused, Beg asked whom should Pakistan
support. Khan recommended that Pakistan support the BNP
because it consisted of military officers and small
businessmen he believed would lead the country in the right
direction. Pakistan, then used ISI to fund the BNP and
India,s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) began funding the
Awami League. Such funding continues to this day, Khan said.
We have become the playground for India and Pakistan. Khan
claimed that New Delhi was unhappy with Sheikh Hasina,s
performance and funded both parties during the 2001
elections. He claimed that RAW funded Tariq Rahman, who
pledged to deliver his mother on gas exports and water
sharing differences but was unable to do so. He predicted New
Delhi would work hard to bring Hasina back to power in 2006.
¶7. (S) Khan said that the BDG is catering to the "disastrous
policies" of Islamic parties in the ruling coalition to
ensure that it wins the 2006 elections. He blamed the BDG,s
decision to ban books of the Ahmadiyya sect and not to
follow-up on attacks in the northern city of Sylhet on the
British High Commissioner and the Mayor on its need to
protect the Islamists.
¶8. (S) On September 13, Lt. Gen. Mahbubur Rahman, another
retired Army Chief and current BNP MP, told Ambassador that
the military would always look to the USG for a signal to go
ahead with a coup. He said that the USG had played a positive
role in helping to thwart two potential coups in 1996 and a
no from the USG would always carry weight. While expressing
disdain for Sheikh Hasina and Begum Zia, Rahman predicted
that Bangladesh would be under dynastic leadership for at
least another generation. He said that the Army views itself
as Bangladesh,s only respected organization and does not
want to interfere in civilian politics. Earlier Major
General Chowdhury, retired, told us that the military would
do nothing to risk its participation in UN peacekeeping
missions.
Bio Note Zahir
¶9. (S) General Zahir is a graduate of the British Staff
College at Camberley and has traveled extensively, including
the U.S. for military conferences. He also served a
battalion commander in UNIKOM. Zahir has commanded two
brigades and two divisions (most officers only get one
command opportunity at each level) and is well respected by
colleagues.
¶10. (S) Comment: Khan maintains excellent ties to the
military but may be acting on his own. Many interlocutors
discount the possibility of a coup but we will keep a close
eye on military activities. We will take advantage of DAS
Patterson,s October visit to arrange speaking opportunities
and meeting with the military to stress the importance of
civilian leadership, including an address to the National
Defense College and a meeting with General Zahir.
¶11. (S) The United States has tremendous leverage over both
the Bangladeshi military and civilian rulers because of
Dhaka,s increasing role in UN peacekeeping missions.
Bangladesh currently has 12,000 troops participating in UNPKO
and we should use the carrot and stick approach to remind
Dhaka that: a) a coup would end their participation in PKO
and b) that failure to solve terrorist crimes and allowing
Islamist groups to operate would call into question
Bangladesh,s ability to join PKOs. End Comment.
THOMAS
-------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND BRITISH HIGH
COMMISSION MET WITH SHEIKH HASINA
REGARDING MILITARY COUP
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000024
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2017
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis; reason 1.4(d)
¶1. (C) The Ambassador and British High Commissioner Anwar
Chowdhury met with Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on
January 6. Hasina was not troubled by military involvement, either directly or under a state of emergency.
If the military can intervene and "make things okay," that
would be good, she said. The Ambassador queried Hasina why
she thought the military would be willing to return power to
the very politicians who created the need for military
intervention in the first place. Hasina said she did
envision marshal law; opining that no officer is strong
enough to lead a coup. Moreover, she was confident the
people would not allow the military to retain power longer
then necessary to resolve the political crisis. "There would
be violence, bloodshed, the country could collapse," if the
military refused to step down.
Hasina said she would sooner support a solution
involving the military than one that returned the BNP to
power.
¶7. (C) Comment: Rumors have been rampant for months about
a possible military solution -- ranging from simple military
support for the Caretaker Government or a military role under
a constitutional state of emergency to extra-constitutional
proposals for a military-backed national unity government or
an outright coup. The Embassy has consistently stressed both
publicly and privately that we would oppose any
unconstitutional move by the military and that even a state
of emergency should be avoided if at all possible. Embassy
contacts within the military continue to insist that a coup
is not in the cards and the actions of the military will
remain within constitutional bounds. End comment.
BUTENIS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBJECT: MILITARY SAYS NO TO POLITICAL ROLE,
EXTRA-CONSTITUTIONAL ACTION FOR NOW.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 DHAKA 000056
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2017
REF: A. DHAKA 39
¶B. DHAKA 32
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis; reason 1.4(d)
¶1. (C) Summary: Political factions, leading business
organizations and civil society are seeking international
support for military solutions to the present political
crisis, creating intense pressure on the military to act.
Our embassy, the British High Commission and other missions
in Dhaka continue publicly and privately to oppose any
extra-constitutional role for the military. The military is
presently constitutionally deployed to maintain law and
order. Senior military officers so far vow to keep the
military politically neutral and to refrain from
unconstitutional actions. End Summary.
No Military Support for Martial Law/Coup
----------------------------------------
¶4. (S/NF) The Ambassador and DATT met January 7 with Army
Principal Staff Officer Major General Md. Jahangir Alam
Choudhury (the senior military officer in the military) to
reinforce our positions against military intervention and
solicit his views. DATT held a similar meeting January 9
with Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Moeen U Ahmed. Both
officers said there is no appetite among military officers or
the rank and file for martial law, a coup or any other
extra-constitutional action by the military and said they
would not support such actions. "Why would we support a
coup," Jahangir asked, "when we don't even like the current
deployment?" (NOTE: The military is currently
constitutionally deployed to maintain law and order. See
paras. 7-9.) Jahangir emphasized that even discussion of such
actions is illegal and any soldier caught doing so would be
subject to arrest. He urged the Ambassador to continue to
press the Caretaker Government to resolve the political
crisis and to tell the political parties not to provoke the
military as it maintains law and order. Moeen told the DATT
he had similar discussions with the British High Commissioner
on January 8.
State of Emergency up to President but Not Desirable
--------------------------------------------- -------
¶5. (S/NF) Jahangir and Moeen both stressed the decision of
a civilian government to declare a constitutionally permitted
state of emergency is a political decision for the President,
emphasizing the military is subject to civilian control and
has a duty to remain impartial. Neither believed they or
other military leaders should approach the President to
"press," "suggest," "recommend," or otherwise try to
influence him on political decisions concerning how to
resolve the political impasse.
DHAKA 00000056 002 OF 003
¶6. (S/NF) Jahangir said he asked the President to avoid
declaring a state of emergency arguing it would not enhance
the military's ability to support civilian law enforcement in
maintaining law and order. He is also concerned there is no
clear exit strategy from a state of emergency. Moeen noted
that the current situation does not warrant a state of
emergency but acknowledged the army is doing contingency
planning. Moeen said he could envision a state of emergency
"if anarchy prevails" but doubts it would come to that before
elections on January 22; rather, he is more concerned about
potential civil unrest following the elections.
Political Leaders Still Shop for International Support
--------------------------------------------- ---------
¶10. (C) The Ambassador met with former President and Jatiya
Party leader Lt. Gen (Ret.) HM Ershad at his request on
January 8. Ershad also floated a similar scenario, namely a
military backed national unity government as a possible
solution to the current political impasse. (Ershad's grand
alliance partner AL President Sheikh Hasina earlier told the
Ambassador (Ref B) she was not troubled by military
involvement if they "could make things okay.") The
Ambassador told Ershad the US strongly opposes any
extra-constitutional role for the military and said only a
political solution could resolve the present impasse.
¶11. (C) The UN representative (protect) told the Ambassador
that COAS Moeen had complained to her of the horrendous
pressure he was under to step in, either under a State of
Emergency or otherwise, and solicited a letter from the UN
threatening loss of UNPKO duties should the military act
extra-constitutionally. Moeen claimed that he could not
"stick his neck out" and approach the President/Chief Adviser
to beg off from any political role for the military without
such benefit of proof of the dire consequences for the army.
Comment
-------
¶12. (C) The bitter personal animosity between BNP
Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina is so intense that
both women have said they would prefer to see power pass to
the military rather than see the other woman in office.
However, neither woman appears to imagine that they might be
ousted themselves under military rule. With both sides
entrenched in their respective positions, frustration among
civic and business leaders continues to fuel public
speculation over ways to involve the military and circumvent
the BNP and AL. Even activists among the two parties
continue to seek support for solutions that could sideline
"the two ladies." While we will continue to see attempts to
draw in the military at least through election day, at this
point the military is holding firm.
BUTENIS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBJECT: JAMMAT-ISLAMI BANGLADESH DENY
INVOLVEMENT IN ATTACK ON SHEIKH HASINA
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003141
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2014
CLASSIFIED BY: AMBASSADOR HARRY K. THOMAS, REASONS 1.4 (B)(D)
¶1. (C) On September 12, Ambassador met with Jammat-Islami
Bangladesh (JMB) Assistant General Secretary Abdul Razzack
and advisor Shah Abdul Hannan. Hannan alleged that
India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is conducting a
smear campaign aimed at linking the JMB to the attack in the
public's mind. India's goal aim is to destabilize the BDG and
bring Sheikh Hasina to power, they asserted.
THOMAS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBJECT: ZIA CUTS SHORT CHINA TRIP TO
RETURN TO RATTLED BANGLADESH
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 004108
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SA AND DS/IP AND DS/ITA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2015
REF: A. DHAKA 4089
¶B. STATE 152460
Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, reasons para 1.4 b, d.
¶1. (S) SUMMARY: PM Zia is returning early to Bangladesh to
cope with the aftermath of the 503 blasts that injured 191
and killed two. The BNP and the AL have blamed each other
for the blasts, and the Awami League-led opposition has
called protests for August 19 and a nationwide general strike
for August 20. Bangladeshis are rattled but life is almost
back to normal. According to NSI, there is "no doubt" that
JMB members "with external training" (read India) conducted
the blasts. We have urged the BDG and the Awami League to
exercise restraint. END SUMMARY
Assistant Secretary M. Kamaaruzzaman said that those who had
failed to gain public support for their 14-point reform
proposals planned the blasts to destroy Bangladesh's
democracy.
¶7. (SBU) AL President Sheikh Hasina, meanwhile, alleged that
the BNP, PM son Tarek Rahman, and BDG security services
orchestrated the blasts because they realize they will lose
the next election. Only the BDG, she said, had the capacity
to organize blasts on a national scale.
---------------------------
Parliamentary Affairs Advisor S.Q. Chowdhury, objected to Indian High
Commissioner Veena Sikri's reported statement attributing the
blasts to Islamic fundamentalists, which he maintained was
unhelpful. He took the point on the need for rhetorical
restraint, but urged Charge to ask her diplomatic colleagues
to do the same.
¶13. (C) In response to Charge's appeal for restraint, Saber
Hussain Chowdhury, Hasina's political secretary, asserted
that at the BNP rally yesterday BDG ministers said that
Sheikh Hasina should be arrested and interrogated. He
complained that the BDG, as it did after the August 21 attack
on the AL leadership, has set a negative tone that will again
undermine any investigation. AL members, he continued, have
been attacked throughout the country for their alleged role
in the blasts. Under these circumstances, he said, how can
the AL trust the BDG or the intelligence services to bring
the attackers to justice?
Comment
-------
¶14. (C) The reflexive slanging match between the BNP and the
AL is disappointing but familiar. However, unlike August 21,
the BDG this time is clearly concerned about the political
and security implications of the nationwide blasts, and we
should have a sense soon whether it is pursuing this
investigation with genuine vigor, or whether it will again
meander without achieving, or wanting, concrete results. The
AL, for its part, will try to exploit the blasts and the
BDG's handling of this major embarrassment to finally build
some political traction against the BNP. Despite doubts
about JMB's capabilities, it is emerging as the group poised
to take the blame for the blasts. It also appears that at
least some members of the loosely connected Ahlhe Hadith (Dr.
Galib)-Bangla Bhai-JMB combine will be tried and convicted
for the blasts.
CHAMMAS
---------------------------
http://deshcalling.blogspot.com/2011/09/wikileaks-awami-league-support-for.html
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