VZCZCXRO4504
OO RUEHCI
DE RUEHKA #0457/01 1131220
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221220Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6639
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0599
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 2129
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 9634
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA PRIORITY 1248

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000457 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR SCA/PPD; SCA/PB 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: KPAO PREL EAID PHUM BG
SUBJECT:  Ambassador Moriarty Calls for Elections by End of Year 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary: Ambassador Moriarty focused on the three "D's" of 
democracy, development and the denial of space to terrorists as the 
pillars of U.S.-Bangladesh relations during his first press 
conference in Bangladesh.  Most of the questions centered on the 
issue of democracy.  The Ambassador called on the government to 
conduct free, fair and transparent elections by the end of the year 
and to lift the current state of emergency to make this happen.  The 
Ambassador's comments were the main headline in the majority of 
local newspapers and television news programs.  Initial reactions to 
his comments from the media and political party leaders have been 
positive.  A senior GOB official expressed some chagrin that the 
Ambassador should be so definite in his first press conference. 
While the Ambassador's comments reflected USG policy that has been 
articulated at the highest levels in the past, there is no question 
that his statement on the day of presenting his credentials was a 
powerful message.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) On April 21, Ambassador Moriarty presented his credentials to 
President Iajuddin Ahmed.  That afternoon the Ambassador held his 
first press conference.  More than 75 journalists and photographers 
from almost 50 different news agencies attended the press 
conference.  While the reporters were predominately affiliated with 
Bangladesh media outlets, AFP, AP, Reuters, VOA, and the Dubai-based 
Geo News sent their Dhaka correspondents. 
 
¶3. (U) In his remarks the Ambassador emphasized the three "D's," 
which are the pillars of U.S. relations with Bangladesh.  The "D's" 
include: democracy, development and denial of space to terrorists. 
His remarks can be found on our website at: 
http://dhaka.usembassy.gov. 
 
Questions Mainly on Political Issues 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) The reporters' questions focused on the political situation 
in Bangladesh.  They were keen to learn about U.S. views on the 
current Caretaker Government, as well as our views on the prospects 
for elections by the end of this year as outlined in the election 
roadmap.  The Ambassador was also asked about the role of the 
Bangladesh Army in the political process.  Other reporters wanted to 
know about the U.S. position on anti-corruption efforts and whether 
former Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina should be 
released. 
 
¶5. (U) In his comments, the Ambassador used the three "D's" to focus 
his message.  He stated the U.S. expects to see elections before the 
end of this year according to the election roadmap.  He also 
emphasized that holding credible elections under a state of 
emergency would be difficult and called on the government to lift 
the state of emergency.  He stated the Army should not take on more 
political responsibilities or assume power.  With respect to the two 
former Prime Ministers, he said that as with all defendants, the 
government should conduct fair and transparent trials that provide 
adequate due process to the defendants.  If found guilty by a court 
of law the accused should be held accountable, but if the charges 
were not proven in court they should be released, he emphasized. 
 
Food Focus 
---------- 
 
¶6. (U) In addition to questions about political developments, 
reporters also asked the Ambassador about U.S. policies to reduce 
food crises both in Bangladesh and around the world.  The Ambassador 
stated that the United States was watching the situation closely. 
He added the U.S. was a major food aid provider in Bangladesh and 
that a shipment of almost 50,000 metric tons of wheat would arrive 
in Chittagong in May. 
 
Positive Reactions from the Media 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (U) The press conference was featured as the top story in the 
majority of local newspapers and many television news broadcasts. 
While covering many of the issues raised in the press conference, 
reporting generally focused on the Ambassador's comments that 
lifting of the state of emergency is a prerequisite for free, fair 
and transparent elections, and that the Army role should not expand 
into the political arena.  Many newspapers incorporated verbatim 
portions of his opening remarks and at least one paper printed these 
remarks in their entirety its op-ed section. 
 
Reactions 
--------- 
¶8. (SBU) Following the press conference, key Embassy contacts told 
us they were pleased with the Ambassador's comments.  A prominent 
editor said the Ambassador's message would resonate with the people 
of Bangladesh.   Leaders from both the Awami League and BNP noted 
 
DHAKA 00000457  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
that his comments were "timely," "clear cut" and "statesman-like." 
A senior GOB official commented privately that the Ambassador's 
remarks "raised a storm" in the government, but that it was "okay". 
 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶9. (SBU) While the GOB official would not elaborate on his comment, 
there is no question that the Ambassador's message packed a powerful 
punch in the eyes of most Bangladeshis.  We have called repeatedly 
for free, fair and transparent elections and for a lifting of the 
 state of emergency.  For the Ambassador to make these unambiguous 
 statements on the day he presented his credentials, however, 
increased their significance in the eyes of many. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) The Ambassador's public messages will continue to focus 
on the three "D's."  We have already seen some media outlets refer 
to the "D's" specifically in their reporting, and we expect to see 
this in the press even more as the Ambassador begins his calls on 
political leaders and other influential members of Bangladesh 
society.  We will capitalize on the Ambassador's current honeymoon 
period through an aggressive press strategy to prominently highlight 
the U.S. positions on important issues facing Bangladesh. 
 
MORIARTY