This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000429 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USTR FOR BETSY STILLMAN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER ETRD BG BG BGD
SUBJECT: SCA A/S ROCCA MEETS WITH MFA OFFICIALS 
 
Classified By: CDA Judith Chammas, reason 1.4(d) 
 
¶1.  (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 
terrorism.  A/S Rocca offered training and assistance in 
capacity building to combat terrorism.  MFA officials 
welcomed the offer and asked for support on the Trade Bill 
pending in Congress to give Bangladesh and other developing 
countries duty-free access to the U.S. garment market.  End 
Summary. 
 
 ¶2.  (U) A/S Rocca held separate meetings on January 26 with 
Foreign Minister Morshed Khan, Foreign Secretary 
Hemayetuddin, and Foreign Affairs Advisor Reaz Rahman.  CDA 
and EconOff (notetaker) accompanied.  Bangladesh Ambassador 
to the United States Shamsher Chowdhury was also present. 
 
Rise in Extremism and Terrorist Acts 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶3.  (C)  MFA officials acknowledged concern over the rise in 
terrorism in Bangladesh but assured A/S Rocca that the BDG 
has made significant strides in combating terrorism.  Foreign 
Affairs Advisor Rahman said that the BDG has taken aggressive 
steps to destroy terrorist cells and confiscate illegal arms 
and ammunition.  Many leaders and operatives have been 
arrested and some have even been charged and are in the 
process of being prosecuted, he said.  The BDG has attacked 
several JMB and JMJB cells and even came close to capturing 
JMB leader Sheikh Abdur Rahman.  Ambassador Chowdhury 
asserted that BDG's efforts are remarkable given the BDG's 
limited capacity in expertise and resources.  A/S Rocca 
commended the BDG on the progress made in several cases so 
far but reiterated the need for thorough, timely, and 
productive investigations, and culprits at all levels must be 
punished, regardless of any political implications.  A/S 
Rocca offered USG cooperation in training and assistance 
programs to improve capacity in law enforcement and 
counter-terrorism activities. 
 
¶4.  (C)  MFA officials pointed to new counter-terrorism draft 
legislation as a big step towards combating terrorism. 
Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin said that the new 
counter-terrorism law will be enacted, and that it will 
contain strict anti-money laundering and terrorism financing 
provisions.  He added that the PM refused to allow provisions 
in the law for clemency or amnesty for terrorists.  MFA 
officials said that recent acts have incited anger but not 
fear among the people, which is a sign that they are 
confident in the government's ability to combat terrorism. 
They welcomed USG cooperation in training and capacity 
building. 
 
Elections 
--------- 
 
¶5.  (C)  A/S Rocca said that Bangladesh serves as an example 
of a vibrant, moderate Muslim democracy with three successful 
elections behind it, and expressed USG desire to see this 
tradition continued through the next national election, 
stating that the USG expects a level playing field and that 
the deck would not be stacked in favor of any party.  MFA 
officials reiterated the BDG's commitment to the democratic 
process and said that Bangladeshis valued their democratic 
rights dearly.  Reaz Rahman said that the opposition is 
concerned about their ability to win national elections so 
they are determined to challenge the democratic system that 
has been effectively used in previous successful elections. 
Citing disputes over voters, Rahman said that the Awami 
League is opposed to a new voter list, even after NDI 
reported that more than 6.4 million names on the last list 
were fraudulent.  MFA officials are confident that despite AL 
protests, the next national elections will happen as 
scheduled. 
 
Governance 
---------- 
 
¶6.  (C) MFA officials cited the Anti-Corruption Commission 
(ACC) and reforms in the Public Service Commission as 
examples of steps taken by the administration to address 
governance and corruption issues.  Reaz Rahman said that 
combating corruption is a difficult challenge in a country 
with more than 140 million people, but that the many delays 
in introducing rules and procedures at the ACC, in separating 
the judiciary from the executive, and other such cases were 
not politically motivated but were due to practical 
constraints.  Corruption is so rampant that many positive BDG 
reforms have not been very visible, he said.  A/S Rocca 
pointed out the need for strong political will to tackle 
governance issues. 
 
Trade Bill 
---------- 
 
¶7.  (C)  MFA officials said that a decline in Bangladeshi 
garment exports would have a devastating impact on the 
socio-economic condition of millions of women.  They asked 
for the administration to support the Trade bill pending in 
Congress to give Bangladesh and other developing countries 
duty-free access to the U.S. garment market.  Ambassador 
Chowdhury interjected that he had recently told Assistant 
USTR Karan Bhatia that Bangladesh would not oppose a 
consensus in the Hong Kong meetings and that USTR assured him 
that the Hong Kong meetings do not rule out a Trade bill. 
A/S Rocca said that she could not give them any hope about 
the bill given the sensitivity to the textile issue in the 
United States. 
 
¶8. (U) A/S Rocca has cleared this message. 
CHAMMAS