US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3853

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 003853 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, BG 
SUBJECT: CHARGE MEETS WITH EDUCATION MINISTER 
 
Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough reasons para 1.5 d 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY: Education Minister Faruk discussed with CDA 
current BNP infighting, BNP's promising prospects for the 
next election, RAB, and Tariq Rahman's future in the party. 
His observations were exceptionally frank.  END SUMMARY 
 
2. (C) On August 7, CDA met for one hour with Minister of 
Education Osman Faruk, a 20-year veteran of the World Bank in 
Washington and now of the stronger technocrats in a generally 
weak cabinet.  PAO accompanied as notetaker. 
 
3. (C) Faruk started out by lamenting that too much of his 
time is spent responding to proposals for new secondary 
schools.  He said is not generally favorable to the idea 
because many applicants for these new schools are merely 
seeking personal gain through kickbacks from teachers hired 
or government subsidies. He cited Rajshahi district, a BNP 
stronghold, as an area that has more schools than it needs. 
 
4. (C) Faruk affirmed that the BNP-Jamaat alliance would hold 
and that he is confident of the coalition's success in the 
next election.  He said that because many BNP supporters are 
rural middle-class Bangladeshis who are motivated primarily 
by opposition to AL and India, the BNP-Jamaat coalition is in 
a strong position to triumph. 
 
5. (C) Faruk stated that the AL is considering boycotting the 
election "out of spite," but that that decision will depend 
on the U.S. and India which he fears is directly or 
indirectly encouraging a boycott.  CDA responded that the USG 
encourage all parties to participate in the political process 
and to exercise their democratic rights.  Faruk replied that 
some of his colleagues interpreted former Ambassador Thomas's 
comment about the possibilities of emergent political 
alternatives in Bangladesh if the two mainstream parties fail 
to perform well as an indication of USG interest in a 
Musharraf alternative."  CDA underscored our strong support 
for democracy and our rejection of military or other 
non-democratic solution to Bangladesh's political problems. 
 
6. (C) When CDA asked about the possible future of Tariq 
Rahman, PM Zia's son and heir apparent, should the coalition 
be re-elected, Faruk said that he has lately become very 
close to Rahman.  First, he said, he is impressed with 
Rahman's political skills and the favorable impression he 
made during his recent visit to the US.  He praised Rahman as 
a skilled tactician who has extensive files on all MP's and 
potential candidates, and who he is careful to show respect 
to nominally more senior colleagues.  For example, during his 
"grassroots listening tour," Rahman was interactive and 
mindful to have senior colleagues accompany him. According to 
Faruk, the BNP is now facing some significant internal 
dissension because it lacks a clear chain of command and 
because many BNP seniors do not want to follow Rahman. 
 
7. (C) Faruk predicted that in the next elections Rahman will 
contest in the Bogra district where his family is very 
popular because it is the Zia family's home.  After being 
elected, Rahman will become a minister.  He noted speculation 
that during the next BNP government, PM Zia could resign to 
become president to make room for Rahman to become PM, but he 
downplayed this possibility because of the probable revolt it 
would provoke from BNP seniors.  Faruk added that the PM is 
not necessarily supportive of Rahman, that she does not rely 
on any exclusive source for advice, and that she prefers to 
"play her cards close to her chest. " 
 
8. (C) Faruk noted that the BDG's main source of popularity 
is from the crime-busting profile of the controversial Rapid 
Action Battalion (RAB).  Responding to the CDA's rejection of 
extra-judicial "crossfire" killings and her reminder about 
the ramifications of the Leahy Amendment, Faruk argued that 
RAB's victims are known criminals and even in many cases BNP 
affiliated.  He stated some BNP leaders want to pass 
legislation eliminating RAB before the caretaker government 
takes power because they fear RAB will go after them because 
of their links to "petty" criminals.  Faruk said that he 
himself opposes this plan and is doubtful it will happen. 
(Note: We agree.) 
 
9. (SBU) CDA concluded by thanking the Minister for his 
strong support of our Peace Corps program, noted the wide 
range of Embassy-backed English teaching initiatives, and 
raised our concern over the harassment by intelligence 
officers of students in Barisal after a recent presentation 
there by PAO.  Faruk took the points. 
CHAMMAS