PAKISTAN KEEN ON GPOI, SEEKS MORE INFO

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 022237 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS PM/PPA - RFEATHERSTONE SCA/RA - FMILLER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPKO MARR MASS PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN KEEN ON GPOI, SEEKS MORE INFO REF: STATE 169199 ¶1. (U) This cable contains an action request -- please see para 6. ¶2. (SBU) On November 28, PolOff met MFA Director (UN I) Haider Shah to follow up on reftel USG proposal for Pakistan to participate in the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI). Shah said that Pakistan is amenable to taking part in GPOI, but on two conditions: a) No pressure to send Pakistani peacekeepers on operations outside the UN umbrella; and b) U.S. support for Pakistan's own peacekeeping training proposal. Pakistan is ready in principle to move ahead on GPOI but wants a clearer roadmap of next steps in the process. ¶3. (SBU) Shah appreciated our talking point that each nation makes a sovereign decision whether to deploy peace operations troops. Pakistan is reluctant to participate in any initiative that might compel Pakistani troops to support non-UN operations. Shah reiterated Pakistani principles regarding peacekeeping operations: a) UN mandate, preferably a UN Security Council resolution; b) recipient country supports the operation; and c) "peacekeeping" rather than "peace enforcement". ¶4. (SBU) Shah mentioned his government's existing proposal to establish an international peacekeeping training institute in Pakistan. Shah said this concept does not conflict with GPOI. Moreover, Pakistan wants U.S. support for this proposal in conjunction with GPOI. ¶5. (U) Shah asked for clarification regarding how to formalize Pakistan's participation in GPOI (i.e., bilateral agreement, joint statement). He said a more formal response to the USG's invitation is forthcoming. ¶6. (U) Post requests Department's guidance soonest on the next steps for Pakistan's involvement in GPOI. Post also requests Department transmit the powerpoint presentation on GPOI as described reftel. CROCKER