Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD2527
2007-06-06 15:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
PAKISTAN SUPPORTS A CREDIBLE JIRGA
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002527
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DAS GASTRIGHT
NSC FOR HARRIMAN
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CENTCOM FOR CJTF-82 POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2017
TAGS: PK AF PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN SUPPORTS A CREDIBLE JIRGA
REF: KABUL 01868
Classified By: CDA Peter Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002527
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DAS GASTRIGHT
NSC FOR HARRIMAN
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CENTCOM FOR CJTF-82 POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2017
TAGS: PK AF PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN SUPPORTS A CREDIBLE JIRGA
REF: KABUL 01868
Classified By: CDA Peter Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) On June 6, Charge met with Minister of Culture (and
Jirga Commission member) GG Jamal to discuss recent meetings
between the Afghan and Pakistani Jirga Commissions. Jamal
emphasized the commissions made significant progress,
finalizing an agenda for the planned August jirga and
bridging gaps on sensitive issues. At the same time, Jamal
was concerned about Afghanistan's desire for international
participation. He stressed that tribal leaders in Pakistan
were already questioning the credibility of the jirga, and
including UN and/or U.S. representatives in the jirga's
proceedings - whether as observers or participants - would
feed tribal perceptions that the jirga was "another plot by
the West" not to be taken seriously. Traditionally, Jamal
explained, there were no observers at jirgas, only
participants.
2. (C) Jamal said the Afghan Jirga Commission also raised
the prospect of participation of women in the August jirga.
Both commissions worried about how women's participation
would play with the majority of participants. Both sides
also expressed desire to respect, to the maximum extent
possible, the format of traditional jirgas. Jamal said
allowing female participants would add a new, unfamiliar, and
potentially discomfiting dimension to the jirga process.
(Note: Jamal is one of the most liberal Pashtuns we know.
We believe his comments reflect his desire for a successful
jirga, not any negative views toward women. End Note.)
3. (C) Comment: Pakistan believes in holding a credible
joint jirga that initiates on-going cross-border dialogue on
stemming militancy, fighting poppy cultivation and
trafficking, and strengthening people-to-people as well as
governmental ties. Without taking steps to ensure the August
jirga remains credible in the eyes of its participants,
Pakistani Jirga Commission members feel this initial meeting
will not live up to its expectations. We believe Pakistan's
concerns over international participation in the jirga are
legitimate and should be given serious consideration.
BODDE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DAS GASTRIGHT
NSC FOR HARRIMAN
OSD FOR SHIVERS
CENTCOM FOR CJTF-82 POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2017
TAGS: PK AF PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN SUPPORTS A CREDIBLE JIRGA
REF: KABUL 01868
Classified By: CDA Peter Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) On June 6, Charge met with Minister of Culture (and
Jirga Commission member) GG Jamal to discuss recent meetings
between the Afghan and Pakistani Jirga Commissions. Jamal
emphasized the commissions made significant progress,
finalizing an agenda for the planned August jirga and
bridging gaps on sensitive issues. At the same time, Jamal
was concerned about Afghanistan's desire for international
participation. He stressed that tribal leaders in Pakistan
were already questioning the credibility of the jirga, and
including UN and/or U.S. representatives in the jirga's
proceedings - whether as observers or participants - would
feed tribal perceptions that the jirga was "another plot by
the West" not to be taken seriously. Traditionally, Jamal
explained, there were no observers at jirgas, only
participants.
2. (C) Jamal said the Afghan Jirga Commission also raised
the prospect of participation of women in the August jirga.
Both commissions worried about how women's participation
would play with the majority of participants. Both sides
also expressed desire to respect, to the maximum extent
possible, the format of traditional jirgas. Jamal said
allowing female participants would add a new, unfamiliar, and
potentially discomfiting dimension to the jirga process.
(Note: Jamal is one of the most liberal Pashtuns we know.
We believe his comments reflect his desire for a successful
jirga, not any negative views toward women. End Note.)
3. (C) Comment: Pakistan believes in holding a credible
joint jirga that initiates on-going cross-border dialogue on
stemming militancy, fighting poppy cultivation and
trafficking, and strengthening people-to-people as well as
governmental ties. Without taking steps to ensure the August
jirga remains credible in the eyes of its participants,
Pakistani Jirga Commission members feel this initial meeting
will not live up to its expectations. We believe Pakistan's
concerns over international participation in the jirga are
legitimate and should be given serious consideration.
BODDE