WIKILEAKS EXPOSÉ: BangladeshInt'l help for military solution was sought

The civil society and others wanted international community to intervene to bring in the army in 2007, says a leaked US embassy cable

Dhaka, Sept 4 (bdnews24.com)—Different political entities, businesses and the civil society wanted international community to intervene for a military solution to the violent political scenario of 2007, a leaked US embassy cable says.

The cable published by WikiLeaks towards end-Aug said the day former president Iajuddin Ahmed declared state of emergency in 2007, US ambassador to Dhaka Patricia A Butenis wrote to Washington that army had been "deployed to maintain law and order constitutionally".

"Senior military officers so far vow to keep the military politically neutral and to refrain from unconstitutional actions."

She also wrote that the US embassy, the British High Commission and other missions in Dhaka continued to oppose, both publicly and privately, any extra-constitutional role for the military during the period.

The caretaker government led by Fakhruddin Ahmed had taken office on Jan 11, 2007 – known as the 1/11 changeover. It lasted for about two years.

Only two days before that, Butenis had said in two cables that Khaleda was not ready to accept the possibility of an army coup or sending the two top leaders to political exile.

Hasina largely dismissed the reports and even joked that an exile in the United States would allow her to see her granddaughter.

The US envoy and UK high commissioner in Dhaka Anwar Choudhury met the two leaders on Jan 6 and 7 over Awami League​'s boycott of the scheduled Jan 22 polls, BNP's adamant position and failure of Iajuddin to control the situation.

The Jan 11 cable said, "Political factions, leading business organisations and civil society are seeking international support for military solutions to the present political crisis, creating intense pressure on the military to act."

THE PROPOSALS

The ambassador said, "Representatives of various political factions have approached the US and other missions with military solutions to the present political crisis, echoing suggestions by civil society and the business community."

They had suggested "Iajuddin to a) postpone elections from six months to two years; b) resign as chief advisor; and c) appoint a new chief advisor and council and/or a National Unity Government."

Another suggestion was put to send Khaleda and Hasina into political exile, possibly in another country.

"Others include a state of emergency (declared by either the caretaker government or a newly elected BNP government after the Jan 22 polls) in which the military would have a large policy/political role, or martial law, or a coup.

"Some say the military is hesitant to engage without a signal from the US," Butenis said in the cable.

The ambassador, however, had said that she and other officials of the embassy were against army's extra-constitutional move.

"We further emphasise that the present situation is the result of political disagreements among the parties and requires a civilian, political solution; the military must continue to act solely under and in support of the civilian government and within the boundaries of the constitution," Butenis added.

She also said to have met Principal Staff Officer Maj Gen Md Jahangir Alam Choudhury on Jan 7 "to reinforce our positions against military intervention and solicit his views".

MEETING WITH MOEEN

The cable says that on Jan 9 the US embassy Defense Attaché (DATT) had met army chief Lt Gen Moeen U Ahmed. "Both officers [Jahangir and Moeen] said there is no appetite among military officers or the rank and file for martial law, a coup or any other extra-constitutional action by the military and said they would not support such actions," Butenis added.

Moeen told the DATT he had similar discussions with the British High Commissioner on Jan 8.

She said quoting Jahangir, "Why would we support a coup, when we don't even like the current deployment?"

Jahangir emphasised that even discussion of such actions was illegal and any soldier caught doing so would be subject to arrest.

"He urged the ambassador to continue to press the caretaker government to resolve the political crisis and to tell the political parties not to provoke the military as it maintains law and order," the cable further added

According to Moeen, approximately 25,000 soldiers were deployed in the country's six divisional headquarters. "The army will soon redeploy a total of 65,000 soldiers in company sized elements at the upazila level."

EMERGENCY NOT DESIRABLE

Butenis mentioned in the cable about the two top army officers advocating a civilian government. "to declare a constitutionally permitted state of emergency" which "is a political decision for the president". They emphasised "the military is subject to civilian control and has a duty to remain impartial".

"Jahangir said he asked the president to avoid declaring a state of emergency arguing it would not enhance the military's ability to support civilian law enforcement in maintaining law and order. He is also concerned there is no clear exit strategy from a state of emergency," the US ambassador added in the cable.

Moeen had noted that the current situation did not warrant a state of emergency but acknowledged "the army is doing contingency planning".

The ambassador had said, "Moeen said he could envision a state of emergency 'if anarchy prevails' but doubts it would come to that before elections on Jan 22; rather, he is more concerned about potential civil unrest following the elections."

The ambassador said she had also met with former military strongman and Jatiya Party chairman H M Ershad at his request on Jan 8.

"Ershad also floated a similar scenario, namely a military backed national unity government as a possible solution to the current political impasse."

In response, Butenis told him that the US strongly opposed any extra-constitutional role for the military and said "only a political solution could resolve the present impasse".

ARMY AUTHORITY

Butenis said that the president had ordered the army to provide support to the elections by assisting civilian law enforcement with maintaining law and order from Jan 10-30, while the former army chief said the army would have arrest authority only for Jan 16-22. That was "contrary to press reports the military has been granted arrest authority throughout its deployment", the cable adds.

Moeen said soldiers would be deployed with live ammunition under rules of engagement to be specified by the military command. Soldiers may act in self-defence but must use lethal force only as a last resort when their lives are threatened and only after warnings.

"Even then, they should shoot to incapacitate, not kill," Butenis said quoting Moeen.

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WIKILEAKS EXPOSÉ: Bangladesh