VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHKA #0879 2520937
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 090937Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9427
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 0036
RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 0101
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0145
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0150
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 2540
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0034
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI 0005
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1032
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0505
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0180
RHHJJPI/PACOM IDHS HONOLULU HI
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS DHAKA 000879
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/INSB, SCA/FO, AND IO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNGA KPKO BG
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH'S PRIME MINISTER ACCEPTS INVITATION TO
MEETING WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA ON PEACEKEEPING DURING UN
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
REF: STATE 91632
Summary
========
1. (SBU) Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed
informed the Ambassador September 9 that she looked forward
to meeting with President Obama and other Heads of State
during the UNGA to discuss peacekeeping reform. Hasina said
she had recently discussed peacekeeping reform with the UNSYG
on the margins of the Geneva climate change conference and
looked forward to sharing Bangladesh's views with the
President and leaders of other major troop contributors. We
can expect Bangladesh to ask for a greater role in planning
peacekeeping operations and for representation in relevant
UNPKO bodies. In addition, Bangladesh wants to expand its
peacekeeping training center, established with support from
the USG.
PM Adjusts Schedule to Attend Peacekeeping Summit Meeting
============================================= ============
2. (SBU) On September 9, the Ambassador and visiting SCA
A/DAS Owen met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed and
delivered reftel invitation from the President for the UNGA
summit meeting on Peacekeeping on September 23. Hasina told
the Ambassador she looked forward to participating in this
"very important meeting." The PM added that she had talked
about peacekeeping reform when she had met with the UNSYG in
Geneva on the margins of a climate change conference. (Note:
We received reftel while the PM was in Geneva and immediately
notified her staff, who scrambled to adjust her travel to
allow her to participate in the meeting. This was
complicated by her desire to spend at least part of eid ul
fitr in Bangladesh, currently anticipated for September 20 -
22.)
Bangladesh to Push for Greater Role In Peacekeeping Planning
============================================= ===============
3. (SBU) The Ambassador expressed appreciation for
Bangladesh's contributions to peacekeeping and stressed the
President's desire to engage in a dialogue regarding reform.
Hasina said Bangladesh was eager to contribute to the
discussion in New York and told the Ambassador she would
propose expanding Bangladesh's peacekeeping training
institute (established with USG support). One of Hasina's
aides noted that Bangladesh would look for a greater role in
planning peacekeeping operations, including through
participation in the UN's Peace Building Commission. The
aide also stressed the importance of Bangladeshi
representation in senior level PKO positions.
Comment
=======
4. (SBU) The Prime Minister and her senior advisers
understand that the President's invitation has presented them
with a unique opportunity to influence the debate on
peacekeeping reform. Our contacts throughout the civilian
and military bureaucracy tell us they are working on
recommendations for Hasina to present in New York. In the
context of the bilateral relationship, the timing of this
meeting is ideal. It will provide us an opportunity to build
on the momentum from the Foreign Minister's September 16
meeting with Secretary Clinton in Washington. It will also
allow us to reinforce the opportunities for Bangladesh to
play a leadership role in the region and beyond in a field
where the country has a great deal to contribute.
MORIARTY