US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3030

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 003030 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR I/FW, B/G, IIP/G/NEA-SA, B/VOA/N (BANGLA SERVICE) STATE 
FOR SA/PAB, SA/PPD (LSCENSNY, SSTRYKER), SA/RA, INR/R/MR, 
AND PASS TO USAID FOR ANE/ASIA/SA/B (WJOHNSON) 
 
CINCPAC FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR, J51 (MAJ TURNER), J45 
(MAJ NICHOLLS) 
 
USARPAC FOR APOP-IM (MAJ HEDRICK) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR, OIIP, OPRC, KPAO, PREL, ETRD, PTER, ASEC, BG, OCII 
SUBJECT: Media Reaction: U.S.-Bangladesh Relations, Iranian 
Election; Dhaka 
 
Summary: Commenting on the visit of Under Secretary of State 
Nicholas Burns, English "News Today" urges political parties 
to work together to prevent the rise of an alternative 
force.  It also urged the government to clarify its position 
on the presence of militants in the country. 
 
On the Iranian election, Bangla "Janakantha" is concerned 
about whether the new leader will carry democracy forward or 
backward.  The pro-Islamic "Naya Diganta" and the English 
"Daily Star" welcome Ahmadinejad's victory. 
 
---------------------------- 
1. U.S.-Bangladesh Relations 
---------------------------- 
 
"Burns' Praise for Bangladesh" 
Independent English "News Today" editorially comments 
(6/28): 
 
The United States' support to Bangladesh's development and 
democracy remains crucial for stability and progress in this 
country. Bangladesh should now feel comfortable with the 
reaffirmation by visiting US Under Secretary Nicholas Burns' 
full support of his country to Bangladesh for maintaining 
its liberal democratic role and speedy economic growth. The 
senior US official also appreciated Bangladesh's role in 
international peace keeping as well as in fighting 
terrorism. The empowerment of women has also earned Burns'' 
praise. In his meetings with Prime Minister Begum Khaleda 
Zia and Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan Burns conveyed that 
US attaches special importance to improving bilateral 
relations with Bangladesh. Such remarks are important for us 
because we want the United States to open its market for our 
apparel products. 
 
Bangladesh should take two US concerns seriously. Firstly, 
the United States wants the political leaders to work 
together to iron out their differences on national 
issues.... This is the normal democratic and political 
culture which is hardly followed by our politicians. So US 
concern that if the political parties do not work together 
people may look for the alternative which may not be good 
for the country. We agree with such concern and would appeal 
to our leaders to work together to address the national 
issues. 
 
The government should clarify Burns' second concern about 
the presence of militants in our country. This is an 
opportunity to clear the smokescreen on this issue. 
Bangladesh is a victim of international propaganda about 
Islamic militants in this country. Some important newspapers 
reported that Bangladesh is a safe haven for the Islamic 
militants who maintain links with international terrorist 
groups. Since Burns is an important functionary of the state 
department his impression would be very important to dispel 
such unfounded fear. 
 
The government should have invited Mr. Burns to see for 
himself different countryside and meet the leaders of the 
civil society to ascertain whether this country has 
organized Islamic militants groups that pose any threat 
either to democracy or to the United States. We hope Burns 
would recommend dispatching a group of congressmen or any 
watch group to see for them the situation here. It is clear 
that in a democracy extremism cannot grow. Bangladesh is 
undoubtedly a democratic country and it is impossible for 
any extremist group to grow here. We hope Mr. Burns would go 
back with this impression. 
 
-------------------- 
2. Iranian Election 
-------------------- 
 
"The Victory of a Hard-liner in Iran" 
Pro-opposition Bangla language newspaper "Janakantha" 
editorially comments (6/28): 
 
The victory of Ahamadinejad has closed the way for 
reformists to come to the government.  The victory also puts 
the country at risk of returning to the days of tight 
restrictions following the Islamic Revolution. 
 
It is a question whether the election will carry the 
democratic system forward or backward....  One thing should 
be kept in mind: if the Iranian people want reforms, they 
cannot be fooled with threats from the Guardian Council or 
President Khatamei.  Those who have ousted an autocratic 
rule will have to face the same consequences if they 
themselves establish similar autocratic rule. 
 
--------------- 
 
"Ahamadinejad Iran's New President: Positive role in Global 
Politics Desired" 
Pro-Islamic Bangla "Naya Diganta" editorially comments 
(6/28): 
 
Some news media described the results of the Iranian 
elections as the victory of hard-liners who support the 
nuclear program.  Analysts have different explanations. 
They say that Iranians have elected Ahamadinejad in response 
to the belligerent policy adopted by the West, especially 
the U.S., toward Iran's nuclear program.  The results show 
that people did not accept experienced Rafsanjani's liberal 
policy toward the West.  It cannot be denied that most of 
the people in the world wanted a regime change in the U.S. 
and Britain after the Iraq war.  But the people of these 
countries did not agree.  Therefore, it would be 
disrespectful to democracy if the choice of the Iranian 
people were not accepted. 
 
The election in Iran is considered to be very important 
following the Iraq war and the situation in Lebanon and the 
threat to Syria.  Everybody hopes that Iran under the 
leadership of Ahamadinejad will improve the fate of its own 
people and play a positive role in the region and in global 
politics. 
 
--------------- 
 
"Election in Iran: People have spoken" 
Independent English language newspaper "Daily Star" 
editorially comments (6/27): 
 
To some, the election of Ahamadinejad as the next president 
of Iran may have come as a surprise, but it must be 
acknowledged by all that his election reflects the majority 
will of the Iranian people. The outcome may not be regarded 
as propitious by some countries and some may have their 
reservations on the conduct of the elections, but let us not 
forget that it is their democratic process conducted through 
their institutions that has yielded the result. 
 
Observers credit him with very little expertise on foreign 
policy matters. It appears that Ahamadinejad is in no hurry 
to mend fences with the west particularly the US and has 
made it quite clear that any development in bilateral 
relations will be on the principle of sovereign equality, 
without being dictated to by anybody. The west also fears 
the worst insofar as Iran's nuclear policy is concerned. The 
nuclear negotiations have been difficult so far, and these 
are likely to be more so in future. 
 
We would like to congratulate the new Iranian president 
hoping for an earnest Endeavour on the part of new 
leadership to lead their nation into the new millennium. 
 
Thomas