ASFANDYAR WALI KHAN TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES

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