VZCZCXRO3234
RR RUEHBI RUEHCI
DE RUEHKA #1274/01 3450923
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100923Z DEC 08 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7907
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0969
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 9988
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 2489
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 8749
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1883
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 0343
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 1595
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 0350
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 0991

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001274 
 
SIPDIS 
CODEL 
 
  STATE FOR SCA/PB 
  STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU 
  STATE FOR H (ANDREW MACDERMOTT) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR OREP KPAO PGOV PREL OVIP BG
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: CODEL MCCAIN VISIT TO BANGLADESH 
 
Ref: A) Dhaka 1256; B) Dhaka 1163 
 
DHAKA 00001274  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  Summary and Comment: Mainstream English and Bangla-language 
newspapers across the political spectrum extensively covered the 
visit of Senators McCain, Lieberman and Graham to Bangladesh.  (See 
Ref A for more details about the Codel.)  At a press conference 
attended by more than 60 journalists, the Senators called on the 
people and political parties of Bangladesh to accept the results of 
the upcoming December 29 parliamentary elections and come together 
for the good of the country.  The Senators' comments received 
front-page, above-the-fold coverage in most major national daily 
newspapers.  In addition, editorials published afterwards expressed 
appreciation for the Senators' visit and echoed their comments that 
the political parties should work together to create new democratic 
traditions in Bangladesh.  Following last month's U.S. presidential 
election, many editorials and columnists cited Senator McCain's 
concession speech as a model for politicians in Bangladesh (Ref B). 
Senator McCain's visit at this critical time in Bangladesh's history 
amplified this message.  We will continue to highlight this 
important theme as the country prepares for elections.  End summary 
and comment. 
 
¶2. A selection of media reaction follows: 
 
¶A. "MCCAIN URGES BANGLADESH LEADERS TO FOLLOW U.S. DEMOCRATIC 
CULTURE," an editorial in the December 5 generally anti-West Bangla 
daily INQILAB: 
 
"U.S. Senator John McCain expressed hope that Bangladesh will hold a 
free, fair and credible national election on 29 December and that 
the contending parties would accept the outcome of the polls for the 
greater national interest... Senator John McCain also expressed hope 
that the defeated parties in the forthcoming elections will 
congratulate the winners in line with the policy being followed in 
the developed world.  We think that John McCain's advice will 
promote democratic values in the country's political arena." 
 
¶B. "MCCAIN'S CALL TO ACCEPT ELECTION RESULT -- NOT UNEXPECTED 
ADVICE," editorial in the December 5 pro-BNP Bangla daily AMAR 
DESH: 
 
"U.S. Senator John McCain's comments calling upon the political 
parties to accept the election result to face future challenges can 
be termed an honest suggestion from a gentleman.... It is 
unfortunate that there is no culture here in Bangladesh of political 
parties working together.  Our political leaders think that the 
people have 'rejected' a rival in an election even if the margin is 
very close.  On the other hand, the rival thinks that his or her 
defeat was the result of poll manipulation, even if the margin is 
great.  Vested quarters continue to express fears of election 
engineering.  Under the circumstances, it is essential to follow 
McCain's suggestion in the interest of developing democratic 
traditions." 
 
¶C. "MCCAIN'S BANGLADESH VISIT -- IDENTICAL ATTITUDE TO ESTABLISH 
PEACE," editorial in the December 5 anti-fundamentalist and 
pro-Awami League Bangla daily SHAMOKAL: 
 
"During his 11-hour visit, Senator McCain met with most of the 
country's key leaders, including the Chief Adviser and the Army 
chief.... He emphasized that establishing a democratic tradition 
requires all parties to accept the election results.... Senator 
McCain's visit clearly demonstrates that Democrats and Republicans 
share the same views on Bangladesh's transition to democracy.  We 
thank McCain and his team for visiting Dhaka at this critical time 
in Bangladesh's history." 
 
¶D. "THE MCCAIN VISIT," editorial in the December 5 BNP-leaning 
English daily THE NEW NATION: 
 
"If McCain's visit to Bangladesh was aimed to advise our politicians 
on national harmony and stability to be created from both sides of 
the divide working together and maintaining the minimum of unity in 
the national interest after the coming election, then its purpose 
should be viewed as very positive.  It is high time for our 
politicians to be ingrained with proper democratic values which in 
turn would create political stability that in turn is bound to give 
economic dividend." 
 
 
DHAKA 00001274  002 OF 002 
 
 
PASI