GOP RESPONSE TO EXBS PROPOSAL

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 007822 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PK PREL ETTC KSTC PARM SUBJECT: GOP RESPONSE TO EXBS PROPOSAL REF: STATE 63765 ¶1. (U) This message contains an action request; please see para. 3. ¶2. (SBU) On April 28, POLCOUNS presented MFA Additional Secretary (UN & Disarmament) Tariq Usman Haider a proposed SIPDIS schedule of EXBS training courses and seminars (reftel). While affirming that the GOP is interested, in principal, in participating in all proposed USG programs, Haider noted that Pakistan's does not have a deep bench when it comes to EXBS specialists; capacity issues will continue to be a challenge as the MFA works to identify appropriate candidates for the proposed USG events. ¶3. (SBU) Action request: Post will continue to work with the MFA Disarmament Cell to facilitate GOP participation in USG-sponsored EXBS training and requests additional information soonest on events proposed reftel for the May - July 2006 time frame. Factoring in Haider's remarks regarding GOP capacity, post requests that ISN/ECC specify how many participants it is seeking for each proposed event, as well as the background or professional qualifications it seeks in Pakistani candidates. BODDE