Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ISLAMABAD3575
2006-03-03 13:17:00
SECRET
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:  

SHIPMENT OF ALUMINUM ALLOW SHEETS AND RODS

Tags:  PARM PREL ETTC PK 
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VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHIL #3575 0621317
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 031317Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1331
INFO RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI IMMEDIATE 3317
S E C R E T ISLAMABAD 003575 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2016
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC PK
SUBJECT: SHIPMENT OF ALUMINUM ALLOW SHEETS AND RODS

REF: A. STATE 34756

B. ABU DHABI 605

Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Ryan Crocker,
Reasons: 1.4 (b),(C) and (D).

S E C R E T ISLAMABAD 003575

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2016
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC PK
SUBJECT: SHIPMENT OF ALUMINUM ALLOW SHEETS AND RODS

REF: A. STATE 34756

B. ABU DHABI 605

Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Ryan Crocker,
Reasons: 1.4 (b),(C) and (D).


1. (S) Ambassador delivered ref A talking points to Foreign
Secretary Riaz Khan, who, in turn, discussed the issue with

SIPDIS
the Prime Minister. Based on this conversation, Khan
subsequently informed the Ambassador that Pakistan was not in
a position to touch the ship in Karachi.


2. (S) Khan explained that in the current domestic
environment, seizing the shipment would inflame Pakistan's
Shia population. (Iran would see to it.) Pakistan could not
afford increased sectarian tension at this time.


3. (S) Ambassador underscored the importance of seizing the
shipment as an indicator of Pakistan's commitment to
non-proliferation and its willingness to work with us on Iran
and on illegally obtained products. Khan said he understood
and that Pakistan would understand anything the U.S. might do
to intercept the shipment at sea, but that Pakistan could not
take action itself in Pakistani waters.

CROCKER