Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ISLAMABAD11504
2006-06-19 07:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
PRIME MINISTER AZIZ DISCUSSES CHALLENGES ON THE
how-toVZCZCXRO2875 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #1504 1700743 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 190743Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1956 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 5586 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 8656 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 1463 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 9065 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 6944
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 011504
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2016
TAGS: ECON EINV EAID PK AF PGOV
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER AZIZ DISCUSSES CHALLENGES ON THE
AFGHAN BORDER AND REVIEWS ASSISTANCE REQUEST
REF: ISLAMABAD 8541
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C Crocker; Reason 1.4 (g)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 011504
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2016
TAGS: ECON EINV EAID PK AF PGOV
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER AZIZ DISCUSSES CHALLENGES ON THE
AFGHAN BORDER AND REVIEWS ASSISTANCE REQUEST
REF: ISLAMABAD 8541
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C Crocker; Reason 1.4 (g)
1. (C) Assistance Request. In the course of a June 12
discussion (other subjects reported separately),Prime
Minister Aziz noted that the government is moving ahead with
a comprehensive strategy to bring stability to the tribal
areas and recalled his request for US funding to support an
$200-350 million expansion of the Frontier Corps as well as
$150 million for economic and social development, as had been
briefed to the President (reftel). This would need to be
over and above the Camp David commitment.
2. (C) Challenges on Afghan Border. Aziz noted that the
requests had special urgency because of the accelerating
destabilization on both sides of the Durand line; he stated
the issues threatening Afghanistan were much deeper than
previously predicted and that growing domestic dissent
threatened both Pakistan and the US. Aziz said the
Government of Afghanistan still blamed Pakistan for its
problems, which was making the President Musharraf and
President Karzai relationship even more contentious. The
reality is that both governments are facing the same threat.
Both hoped the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit
would provide an opportunity for the two Presidents to
improve their relationship.
3. (C) Balochistan and FATA. Ambassador urged Aziz to
address the increasing Taliban influence in Balochistan and
FATA. Ambassador stated that the previous week in Kabul, he
raised this issue with President Karzai, who indicated he was
prepared to accept the refugees and supported the closing of
camps such as Girdi Jungle and Pir Alizai in Balochistan.
Aziz commented Karzai had not previously displayed such a
cooperative approach to the refugee question, and noted that
the GOP was gradually returning refugees.
4. (C) Aziz said the GOP had evidence that "a proxy force"
(i.e. India) was putting significant amounts of money into
Balochistan and FATA to keep the Pakistan Army engaged in the
area. He noted the involvement of the Indian consulates on
the Pakistani borders with Afghanistan (Jalalabad, Kandahar)
and Iran (Zahedan),and stated that Indians often convened in
and channeled money through Dubai.
CROCKER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2016
TAGS: ECON EINV EAID PK AF PGOV
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER AZIZ DISCUSSES CHALLENGES ON THE
AFGHAN BORDER AND REVIEWS ASSISTANCE REQUEST
REF: ISLAMABAD 8541
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C Crocker; Reason 1.4 (g)
1. (C) Assistance Request. In the course of a June 12
discussion (other subjects reported separately),Prime
Minister Aziz noted that the government is moving ahead with
a comprehensive strategy to bring stability to the tribal
areas and recalled his request for US funding to support an
$200-350 million expansion of the Frontier Corps as well as
$150 million for economic and social development, as had been
briefed to the President (reftel). This would need to be
over and above the Camp David commitment.
2. (C) Challenges on Afghan Border. Aziz noted that the
requests had special urgency because of the accelerating
destabilization on both sides of the Durand line; he stated
the issues threatening Afghanistan were much deeper than
previously predicted and that growing domestic dissent
threatened both Pakistan and the US. Aziz said the
Government of Afghanistan still blamed Pakistan for its
problems, which was making the President Musharraf and
President Karzai relationship even more contentious. The
reality is that both governments are facing the same threat.
Both hoped the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit
would provide an opportunity for the two Presidents to
improve their relationship.
3. (C) Balochistan and FATA. Ambassador urged Aziz to
address the increasing Taliban influence in Balochistan and
FATA. Ambassador stated that the previous week in Kabul, he
raised this issue with President Karzai, who indicated he was
prepared to accept the refugees and supported the closing of
camps such as Girdi Jungle and Pir Alizai in Balochistan.
Aziz commented Karzai had not previously displayed such a
cooperative approach to the refugee question, and noted that
the GOP was gradually returning refugees.
4. (C) Aziz said the GOP had evidence that "a proxy force"
(i.e. India) was putting significant amounts of money into
Balochistan and FATA to keep the Pakistan Army engaged in the
area. He noted the involvement of the Indian consulates on
the Pakistani borders with Afghanistan (Jalalabad, Kandahar)
and Iran (Zahedan),and stated that Indians often convened in
and channeled money through Dubai.
CROCKER