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 03 DHAKA 000431 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM KCRM BG BG BGD
SUBJECT: A/S ROCCA MEETS WITH BANGLADESH PM ZIA 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Judith Chammas; reason 1.4(d) 
 
¶1.    (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 and to conduct all investigations fully wherever 
they lead; prosecuting any official against whom hard 
evidence exists of support for extremism.  She reaffirmed BDG 
plans to establish counter-terrorism units within DGFI and 
NSI. She promised to support free and fair elections.  End 
summary. 
 
¶2.    (U) A/S Christina Rocca met on January 26 with PM Zia. 
CDA Judith Chammas and Econoff (note taker) accompanied the 
A/S.  Foreign Minister Morshed Khan, Ambassador to the United 
States Shamsher Chowdhury and Secretary to the PM Khadker 
Shahidul Islam also attended the 45 minute meeting. 
 
Extremism 
--------- 
 
¶3.    (C) A/S Rocca stressed the need for decisive action 
against extremism and delivered the President's January 17 
letter to the PM. 
 
¶4.    (C) A/S Rocca noted the real concern in Washington 
about the growth of extremism.  Progress with arrests must 
continue, while investigations should be allowed to run their 
full course, even if they point to involvement by government 
officials, she said.  It is also important to shut down the 
organizations that are propagating the extremist message. 
The USG is prepared to offer technical assistance in response 
to demonstrated BDG commitment to counter-terrorism. 
 
¶5.    (C) PM Zia stressed the importance Bangladesh places on 
continued U.S. support and assistance.  She vowed to continue 
to fight extremism, describing it as an "issue of national 
importance" that should be above political squabbling.  She 
will continue to speak out forcefully against extremist 
violence, and cited several statements she has made in recent 
days.  Moreover, she said that all major religious leaders 
were also condemning extremist violence and noted that 
Industries Minister and Jamaat Islami leader Nizami has also 
condemned extremist violence. 
 
¶6.    (C) PM Zia assured A/S Rocca that the BDG would 
continue to pursue vigorously its actions and investigations 
against militant extremists.  "The government will not spare 
anyone; if hard evidence exists, we will take action no 
matter who (is involved)," she promised.  She asked that the 
U.S. have confidence in her government and not be misled by 
"media propaganda." 
 
¶7.    (C) PM Zia confirmed her personal support for 
establishment of counter-terrorism units within both the 
Directorate General Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and the 
National Security Intelligence (NSI), although the exact 
organizational structure (agency or bureau, for example) has 
not yet been determined.  She welcomed U.S. offers of 
assistance, specifically requesting training and equipment. 
A/S Rocca responded with an offer to provide training, saying 
that is the area where the U.S. believes it can be most 
helpful.  PM Zia gladly accepted the offer and said U.S. 
officials should discuss specific proposals directly with 
DGFI, NSI, and the Home Ministry. 
 
Elections 
--------- 
 
¶8.    (C) A/S Rocca emphasized the importance of free and 
fair elections to maintaining Bangladesh as a moderate 
democracy.  She urged the government to avoid actions that 
"stack the deck."  More than with any previous election, the 
international community is watching closely, she said. 
 
¶9.    (C) PM Zia assured A/S Rocca that the government wants 
free and fair elections; that transparency is in its own best 
interests.  She defended the actions of the election 
commission (EC) and the structure of the caretaker government 
against opposition attacks.  Repeating stock BDG arguments, 
she said recent elections for the mayor of Chittagong and the 
Dinajpur bi-election, both of which the BNP backed candidates 
lost, demonstrated that the EC was functioning properly.  She 
pointed out the structure of the caretaker government is 
unchanged from the last election, when the opposition was in 
power, yet the opposition did not suggest then the changes 
they are demanding now.  Minister Khan went further, saying 
people make their own choices and the EC has no influence 
over their decisions. 
 
Political Violence 
------------------ 
 
¶10.   (C) A/S Rocca told PM Zia that there was continued 
concern in the U.S. with the growing level of political 
violence, including the August 21, 2004, attack on Sheikh 
Hasina and the Awami League leadership and the assassination 
of Shah Kibria.  The Kibria case in particular is receiving a 
lot of attention from Congress, A/S Rocca pointed out, noting 
concern that the case seems to have stalled. 
¶11.   (C) The PM strongly disagreed with suggestions that 
political violence had increased over the past 18 months. 
She pointed to the many peaceful by-elections that had 
occurred during that period.  She cited ongoing 
investigations of the attack on Sheikh Hasina, despite the 
continued refusal of the AL to assist with the investigation 
in any way.  Finally, she pointed to the arrest of Mufti 
Hannan on charges stemming from an earlier assassination 
attempt on Sheikh Hasina as evidence of the government's 
commitment to fully prosecute those involved in political 
violence.  Suggestions that BNP officials protected Hannan 
were baseless, she argued, given his arrest. 
 
¶12.   (C) As for the Kibria case, the PM felt Congressional 
concern was unfounded.  The government had filed charges and 
pursued the case until stymied by the High Court.  The 
judiciary is independent, there is little we can do, said 
Minister Khan.  Ambassador Chowdhury pointed out he had 
discussed the case with one concerned Senator, who has not 
raised further concerns.  A/S Rocca suggested the Ambassador 
might want to approach other concerned Members of Congress, 
and noted that making sure that justice is done would be in 
the interest of Bangladesh. 
 
Blame Game Continues 
-------------------- 
 
¶13.   (C) With some passion, PM Zia again trotted out her 
litany of complaints against the Awami League and its leader, 
Sheikh Hasina.  Hasina refuses to engage on any of the issues 
of national importance, whether terrorism, elections or 
political violence.  She would not accept the PM's letter 
requesting a dialogue on the rise of extremism.  She demands 
reform of the caretaker government system, but refuses to 
attend Parliament, where the issue should be discussed. 
Neither she nor her supporters will support investigations 
into political violence, refusing to give testimony or even 
provide access to evidence. 
 
¶14.   (C) Revealing the depth of her personal animosity 
toward Hasina, the PM blurted out "she started it" with 
attacks on PM Zia and her party when Sheikh Hasina was in 
power.  We are investigating the attacks against her (citing 
Hannan), but she blocked investigation of attacks against us, 
the PM added.  A/S Rocca responded that it was important for 
the PM to take the high road in order to preserve democracy 
in Bangladesh. 
 
Requests for Senior Visits and Economic Support 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶15.   (C) The PM noted the likely travel of President Bush 
and Secretary of State Rice to the region and pressed for a 
stopover in Bangladesh.  Minister Khan stressed the important 
role high level visits play in making the U.S.-Bangladesh 
relationship visible.  A/S Rocca acknowledged the value of 
high-level visits, but stated that the President 
unfortunately would not be stopping in Bangladesh in March. 
There is no indicate yet of a visit by the Secretary. 
 
¶16.   (C) The PM also stressed the importance of economic 
support and urged U.S. officials to try to include at least 
some textile tariff lines in the 97% duty free access 
category under the recent WTO agreement.  She pointed out the 
importance of the ready-made garment (RMG) industry to 
Bangladesh's economic development and to improving the 
economic and social condition of women in Bangladesh. 
 
¶17.   (C) A/S Rocca acknowledged the arguments but urged the 
PM to be realistic.  Market access for textiles is a very 
sensitive domestic political issue and is unlikely to happen, 
she said.  She encouraged Bangladesh to work to continue to 
diversify its exports and suggested they concentrate on 
ensuring market access for those products. 
 
¶18.   (U) A/S Rocca has cleared this message. 
CHAMMAS