VZCZCXRO9093
RR RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW
DE RUEHKA #0827/01 2351012
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231012Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9350
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA USA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 000827 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/INSB 
USAID FOR A/AID, ANE, GH, RENEE HOWELL DESK OFFICER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID ECON EINV PREL TBIO BG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO SYLHET DIVISION WITH SENIOR GOB 
OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHTS U.S. ASSISTANCE AND ENHANCES COOPERATION 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1.  (SBU) The Ambassador and USAID Mission Director visited 
USG-supported development assistance project sites in Sylhet 
Division August 2-5 to highlight U.S. support in health and 
environment and enhanced U.S.-Government of Bangladesh (GOB) and 
intra-GOB cooperation.  They attended the inauguration of a health 
clinic, a Family Welfare Center, Chevron's Bibiyana Gas Fields, and 
the Lawachara National Park, meeting local political and business 
leaders as well as American citizens residing in the northeastern 
region.  The Minister of Health and Welfare, Minister of Forestry, 
Chief Whip of Parliament and local Members of Parliament joined in 
the visit.  The U.S. is making a difference in Sylhet, the lowest 
performing district in most socio-economic indicators in all of 
Bangladesh. 
 
PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (SBU) On August 2, the Ambassador spoke to 100 representatives 
of the Sylhet businesses community, educators, and civil society 
members at a reception hosted by the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and 
Industry.  The Ambassador emphasized the need for developed and 
less-developed countries to work together to deal with the worldwide 
recession and lauded Bangladesh for its progress in trade and 
business.  He supported the notion of a Sylhet special economic zone 
to draw more foreign investment and create a sustainable business 
environment for economic development.  The event received wide 
coverage in both local and national media the following day. 
 
SUPPORTING COOPERATION AMONG POLITICAL PARTIES 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The Ambassador hosted a dinner for local political party 
leaders, including representatives from civil society, the press, 
Sylhet City Mayor Badruddin Ahmed Kamran as well as members of 
parliament.  He hailed the cooperative relationship between ruling 
and opposition parties in Sylhet as an example for other parts of 
the country of how leaders of rival parties can work together to 
resolve local issues.  The Ambassador remarked on the hard-working 
character of Sylhetis, noting that remittances from Sylheti 
expatriates in United Kingdom and United States have driven the 
region's economic growth.  The event spurred dialogue among a broad 
cross section of Sylhet's political leaders and parties. 
 
REACHING OUT TO AMERICAN CITIZENS 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The Ambassador, on August 3, held a breakfast meeting for 
American Citizens residing in the Sylhet region.  The informal 
setting provided an opportunity for American citizens to discuss a 
wide range of consular and non-consular issues directly with the 
Ambassador and U.S. Mission Dhaka officers. 
 
SUPPORTING GOB FAMILY WELFARE PROGRAM 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) The Ambassador and USAID Director, accompanied by senior 
GOB health officials, visited the Doyamir Government Family Welfare 
Center.  Mohammad Abdul Qayyum, Director General for Family 
Planning;  Jabunnessa Hoque, Member of Parliament from Sylhet; 
Shafiqur Rahman Chowdury, Member of Parliament from Belaganj and 
Biswanath constituency; and senior health and family planning 
officials from the Sylhet Division also attended.  The Doyamir union 
clinic, the local level GOB health care provider, serves a 
population of 30,000.  Clinic managers outlined clinic operations 
during a tour of the facility.  The tour was followed by a ceremony 
where the Ambassador and the Minister of Health planted trees 
outside the clinic. 
 
AMERICAN CORNER, SYLHET INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Mrs. Moriarty addressed approximately 70 students and 
faculty at the American Corner at Sylhet International University. 
The presentation, "The Role of Students in a Democracy," arranged 
through a local NGO, stimulated many questions from students about 
political action, nonviolence, and the role of women, comparing the 
American and Bangladeshi experiences.  Mrs. Moriarty met with the 
Vice Chancellor, President, and Dean of Sylhet International 
University, and reviewed books and videos available at the Sylhet 
American corner, provided and supported by U.S. Mission Dhaka. 
 
U.S. MISSION AND CHEVRON LAUNCH NEW 
SMILING SUN CLINIC 
---------------------------------- 
 
DHAKA 00000827  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶7.  (SBU) The Ambassador and USAID Director launched a Smiling Sun 
Clinic in Habiganj.  Minister of Health A.F.M. Ruhal Haque, led the 
GOB delegation, joined by Chevron Bangladesh President Steve Wilson 
and local Members of Parliament and commissioners. The clinic - the 
320th Smiling Sun clinic in Bangladesh - provides basic health care 
and maternal services including family planning, obstetrical care, 
and medications to those living in the area.  The launch ceremony 
included speeches, a ribbon cutting and plaque unveiling, and tree 
plantings.  The Minister of Health, Ambassador and Mission Director 
each administered oral medication to infants in the clinic.  (Note: 
The baby fed by the Ambassador cried lustily in protest fro the 
cameras.)  The clinic building and operations were funded by Chevron 
and a joint public private alliance. 
 
LAUNCHING U.S. SAFE MOTHERHOOD PROJECT MAMONI 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶8.  (SBU) The Ambassador took the opportunity to announce the U.S. 
Government's new health initiative, "MaMoni", Bangla endearment for 
mother.  The USD 13.5 million program will address high death rates 
among pregnant women and newborns; improve outreach to women in 
remote areas; and increase awareness and education to promote safe 
delivery and improve family planning.  Mrs. Moriarty visited 
Panicherra village to observe the ACCESS Safe Motherhood and 
Neonatal Health Care project.  She met with the local Community 
Action Group (CAG), men who meet monthly to learn anatomy, 
physiology, basic ante-natal care, nutrition, breastfeeding, and 
advance planning for emergency transport.  Mrs. Moriarty also 
observed a home counseling session by an ACCESS field worker for 
pregnant women; simple, low cost newborn care techniques including 
how to wrap and dry an infant; and umbilical cord care.  Despite 
initial concerns that the community would not accept advice on 
maternal health and family planning from young unmarried women, 
field workers have gained community trust and confidence by 
exhibiting skill in saving the lives of newborns. 
 
CHEVRON'S BIBIYANA GAS FIELD 
---------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) The Ambassador and USAID visited the Chevron operated 
Bibiyana Gas Field which now provides 1/3rd of Bangladesh's daily 
gas consumption.  Chevron Bangladesh has been active in oil and gas 
exploration and production in Bangladesh currently extracts gas from 
three fields.  The Bibiyana Natural Gas Field was discovered in 
¶1998.  The Ambassador praised Chevron's safety efforts: the Bibiyana 
campus recently reported employees had logged 8.8 million man-hours 
without any days-away-from-work.  USG staff also received a guided 
tour of the facilities. 
 
LAWACHARA INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREA 
CO-MANAGEMENT PROJECT 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶10. (SBU) The Ambassador and USAID Director joined a consultative 
meeting attended by more than 100 participants, including the Chief 
Whip of the Bangladesh Parliament, the Chairman of the Parliamentary 
Standing Committee on Environment and Forest, the Secretary of the 
Ministry of Environment and Forest, members of local administration, 
government and law enforcement agencies, and community 
representatives.  The Ambassador highlighted the gathering as an 
example of effective grassroots democracy focused on resolving 
crucial natural resource issues.  Over the past year, USAID has 
funded a number of Integrated Protected Area Co-Management Project 
(IPAC) interventions designed to address the pressures and threats 
to conservation in Lawachara National Park.  The Ambassador observed 
and inaugurated a number of IPAC projects, including the Community 
Owned Nature Interpretation Center (CONIC).  The Ambassador also met 
with members of women's livelihood groups formed by IPAC to discuss 
the context and challenges for Park conservation.  The women's 
groups represented both Bengali and indigenous communities. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
¶11.  (SBU) The visit highlighted the depth of U.S. engagement in 
Sylhet, showcasing models of community based development assistance 
programs in health and the environment.  Senior GOB officials who 
accompanied the Ambassador and USAID Director learned how U.S. 
assistance dollars are supporting Bangladesh in these two sectors. 
The GOB officials' participation and engagement also fostered more 
effective intra-GOB coordination.  The Ambassador's interaction with 
local political and business leaders and American Citizens residing 
in northeastern Sylhet division, which garnered extensive media 
coverage, increased the U.S. reach in Bangladesh. 
 
MORIARTY