Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ISLAMABAD4597
2006-03-20 14:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
ASFANDYAR WALI KHAN TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES
how-toVZCZCXRO5201 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #4597 0791418 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 201418Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2735 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 4820 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 7876 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 0157 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 8078 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 5881 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAUSA/DEPT OF EDUCATION WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 004597
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PK
SUBJECT: ASFANDYAR WALI KHAN TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES
Classified By: Derived from DSCG 05-01, d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 004597
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PK
SUBJECT: ASFANDYAR WALI KHAN TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES
Classified By: Derived from DSCG 05-01, d.
1. (U) This is an action request. See para. 5
2. (C) Senator Asfandyar Wali Khan, Chairman of the secular
Pashtun-nationalist Awami National Party (ANP) called on
Ambassador on March 17 to discuss his recent meeting with
President Musharraf (septel). According to Asfandyar, the
ANP has taken a strategic decision to support the GOP's
efforts against extremist and Islamist elements operating in
the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the North
West Frontier Province (NWFP). As historically the strongest
rival to the Islamists in these regions, ANP cooperation with
the government is critical to combating successfully
terrorist and extremist elements in these regions and to
advancing the government's overall strategy of political,
economic, and social transformation.
3. (C) Asfandyar's decision to cooperate with the GOP marks a
significant change in ANP tactics that carry with it
potential risks in breaking from the united anti-Musharraf
opposition platform. We believe that those in the ANP who
wish to challenge Asfandyar's leadership, such as his
stepmother Begum Nasim Wali Khan, may attempt to exploit
Asfandyar's overtures to divide the party. Such leaders do
not/not share Asfandyar's willingness to work with the United
States and the GOP on our efforts to combat
extremism/terrorism. For this reason, we believe that
immediate overtures showing strong support for Asfandyar, as
a result of his decision to cooperate with Musharraf, are
essential. Senior-level meetings in Washington will help to
reassure his constituents that he is in a position to
advocate effectively on their behalf and will offer us an
opportunity to exchange views and strategies with a
like-minded Pashtun leader.
4. (U) Senator Asfandyar Wali Khan will be visiting
Washington from April 3-13. We recommend in keeping with our
general practice for Pakistani opposition leaders, including
former PM Bhutto, that meetings be arranged at the Deputy
Assistant Secretary or Office Director level. Based on
Asfandyar's requests, post recommends meetings with the
following USG offices/individuals:
-- National Security Council, Senior Director for South Asia
-- Office of the Vice President
-- Central Intelligence Agency
-- National Counterterrorism Center
-- Department of State, Bureau of South Asian Affairs, Deputy
Assistant Secretary
-- Department of State, Director of Policy Planning
-- Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights,
and Labor, Deputy Assistant Secretary
-- U.S. Agency for International Development, Bureau of Asia
and the Near East, Deputy Assistant Administrator
-- Department of Defense, International Security Affairs,
Near East and South Asian Affairs
-- Department of Transportation, Office of International
Transportation and Trade
-- Department of Energy, Office of Policy and International
Affairs
In addition, Asfandyar has requested assistance in organizing
meetings with the Rand Corporation and the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce.
5. (U) Action Requested: Post requests that Department
assist in organizing requested meetings for Senator Asfandyar
Wali Khan during his visit to Washington.
CROCKER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PK
SUBJECT: ASFANDYAR WALI KHAN TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES
Classified By: Derived from DSCG 05-01, d.
1. (U) This is an action request. See para. 5
2. (C) Senator Asfandyar Wali Khan, Chairman of the secular
Pashtun-nationalist Awami National Party (ANP) called on
Ambassador on March 17 to discuss his recent meeting with
President Musharraf (septel). According to Asfandyar, the
ANP has taken a strategic decision to support the GOP's
efforts against extremist and Islamist elements operating in
the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the North
West Frontier Province (NWFP). As historically the strongest
rival to the Islamists in these regions, ANP cooperation with
the government is critical to combating successfully
terrorist and extremist elements in these regions and to
advancing the government's overall strategy of political,
economic, and social transformation.
3. (C) Asfandyar's decision to cooperate with the GOP marks a
significant change in ANP tactics that carry with it
potential risks in breaking from the united anti-Musharraf
opposition platform. We believe that those in the ANP who
wish to challenge Asfandyar's leadership, such as his
stepmother Begum Nasim Wali Khan, may attempt to exploit
Asfandyar's overtures to divide the party. Such leaders do
not/not share Asfandyar's willingness to work with the United
States and the GOP on our efforts to combat
extremism/terrorism. For this reason, we believe that
immediate overtures showing strong support for Asfandyar, as
a result of his decision to cooperate with Musharraf, are
essential. Senior-level meetings in Washington will help to
reassure his constituents that he is in a position to
advocate effectively on their behalf and will offer us an
opportunity to exchange views and strategies with a
like-minded Pashtun leader.
4. (U) Senator Asfandyar Wali Khan will be visiting
Washington from April 3-13. We recommend in keeping with our
general practice for Pakistani opposition leaders, including
former PM Bhutto, that meetings be arranged at the Deputy
Assistant Secretary or Office Director level. Based on
Asfandyar's requests, post recommends meetings with the
following USG offices/individuals:
-- National Security Council, Senior Director for South Asia
-- Office of the Vice President
-- Central Intelligence Agency
-- National Counterterrorism Center
-- Department of State, Bureau of South Asian Affairs, Deputy
Assistant Secretary
-- Department of State, Director of Policy Planning
-- Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights,
and Labor, Deputy Assistant Secretary
-- U.S. Agency for International Development, Bureau of Asia
and the Near East, Deputy Assistant Administrator
-- Department of Defense, International Security Affairs,
Near East and South Asian Affairs
-- Department of Transportation, Office of International
Transportation and Trade
-- Department of Energy, Office of Policy and International
Affairs
In addition, Asfandyar has requested assistance in organizing
meetings with the Rand Corporation and the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce.
5. (U) Action Requested: Post requests that Department
assist in organizing requested meetings for Senator Asfandyar
Wali Khan during his visit to Washington.
CROCKER