Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD2797
2007-06-23 07:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSSES STRATEGIC DIALOGUE AND
how-toVZCZCXRO3970 OO RUEHBI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #2797/01 1740717 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 230717Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0081 INFO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA PRIORITY 0224 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 4273 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 1375 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 2142 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 7243 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 8509 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 5898 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1226 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY 3384 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI PRIORITY 3300 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 6508 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 2705 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI PRIORITY 3690 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 1110 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 2557 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 002797
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2017
TAGS: ECON ENRG PGOV PK PREL SOCI
SUBJECT: FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSSES STRATEGIC DIALOGUE AND
BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATY WITH DEPUTY SECRETARY
REF: ISLAMABAD 2220
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Peter W. Bodde, Reason 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 002797
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2017
TAGS: ECON ENRG PGOV PK PREL SOCI
SUBJECT: FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSSES STRATEGIC DIALOGUE AND
BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATY WITH DEPUTY SECRETARY
REF: ISLAMABAD 2220
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Peter W. Bodde, Reason 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: Deputy Secretary Negroponte, Assistant
Secretary Boucher, and Charge d,Affaires Bodde met Foreign
SIPDIS
Secretary Khan for a lunch meeting on June 16. Khan
SIPDIS
discussed details of the Strategic Dialogue between the U.S.
and Pakistan, expressed concerns about a bilateral investment
treaty (BIT),and reported that Pakistan,s relationship with
India had improved despite some continuing challenges. END
SUMMARY.
STRATEGIC DIALOGUE
2. (C) Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, Assistant
Secretary for South and Central Asia Affairs Richard Boucher,
SIPDIS
and Charge d,Affaires a.i. Peter Bodde discussed
U.S.-Pakistan relations with Foreign Secretary Khan during a
lunch meeting on June 16. Khan discussed the four components
of U.S.-Pakistan strategic dialogue: energy, science and
technology, education, and economics. Regarding energy,
Pakistan had established two working groups to identify
projects suitable for technology, training, and funding
cooperation. On science and technology, Khan asked the U.S.
to identify institutions and scientists to work with
Pakistan. In the education component, Khan said Pakistan
appreciated U.S. assistance through the Fulbright program.
Concerning economics, Khan requested more information on the
proposed Reconstruction Opportunity Zones, which Assistant
Secretary Boucher promised to provide shortly.
SIPDIS
BIT AND FTA
3. (C) As he has in the past, Khan argued that a proposed
bilateral investment treaty (BIT) should be part of a larger
Free Trade Agreement between the two nations. He raised
three concerns about a BIT. First, he noted Pakistan,s
concern that the U.S.-proposed BIT language might lead other
nations to demand the same language from Pakistan. Second,
consultations with the U.S. through special regulatory
ordinances might lead to premature disclosure of regulatory
processes. Third, the BIT might allow the private sector and
business shareholders to sue the Government of Pakistan.
Despite those concerns, Khan said Pakistan could accept a BIT
as part of a Free Trade Agreement. The Deputy Secretary said
he would not hold out hope for a Free Trade Agreement at this
time, but noted the U.S. was eager to further discuss a BIT
at the working level.
INDIA
4. (C) Khan agreed with the Deputy Secretary that relations
with India had improved. Both sides had pursued
confidence-building measures and there was progress on
Kashmir. However, the Siachen Glacier and Sir Creek issues
remained unresolved. Preserving the Siachen Glacier should
be the top priority of both sides but both armies were
damaging it. Loss of ice, explained Khan, could create
significant environmental problems.
5. (C) While Sir Creek was still an issue, new maps were
helping the nations discuss the problem. Khan also reviewed
India,s and Pakistan,s differences on trade issues. Khan
reported that Pakistan was prepared to negotiate on
non-tariff barriers either bilaterally with India or through
the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
The Deputy Secretary's office has reviewed this message.
ISLAMABAD 00002797 002 OF 002
BODDE
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2017
TAGS: ECON ENRG PGOV PK PREL SOCI
SUBJECT: FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSSES STRATEGIC DIALOGUE AND
BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATY WITH DEPUTY SECRETARY
REF: ISLAMABAD 2220
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Peter W. Bodde, Reason 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: Deputy Secretary Negroponte, Assistant
Secretary Boucher, and Charge d,Affaires Bodde met Foreign
SIPDIS
Secretary Khan for a lunch meeting on June 16. Khan
SIPDIS
discussed details of the Strategic Dialogue between the U.S.
and Pakistan, expressed concerns about a bilateral investment
treaty (BIT),and reported that Pakistan,s relationship with
India had improved despite some continuing challenges. END
SUMMARY.
STRATEGIC DIALOGUE
2. (C) Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, Assistant
Secretary for South and Central Asia Affairs Richard Boucher,
SIPDIS
and Charge d,Affaires a.i. Peter Bodde discussed
U.S.-Pakistan relations with Foreign Secretary Khan during a
lunch meeting on June 16. Khan discussed the four components
of U.S.-Pakistan strategic dialogue: energy, science and
technology, education, and economics. Regarding energy,
Pakistan had established two working groups to identify
projects suitable for technology, training, and funding
cooperation. On science and technology, Khan asked the U.S.
to identify institutions and scientists to work with
Pakistan. In the education component, Khan said Pakistan
appreciated U.S. assistance through the Fulbright program.
Concerning economics, Khan requested more information on the
proposed Reconstruction Opportunity Zones, which Assistant
Secretary Boucher promised to provide shortly.
SIPDIS
BIT AND FTA
3. (C) As he has in the past, Khan argued that a proposed
bilateral investment treaty (BIT) should be part of a larger
Free Trade Agreement between the two nations. He raised
three concerns about a BIT. First, he noted Pakistan,s
concern that the U.S.-proposed BIT language might lead other
nations to demand the same language from Pakistan. Second,
consultations with the U.S. through special regulatory
ordinances might lead to premature disclosure of regulatory
processes. Third, the BIT might allow the private sector and
business shareholders to sue the Government of Pakistan.
Despite those concerns, Khan said Pakistan could accept a BIT
as part of a Free Trade Agreement. The Deputy Secretary said
he would not hold out hope for a Free Trade Agreement at this
time, but noted the U.S. was eager to further discuss a BIT
at the working level.
INDIA
4. (C) Khan agreed with the Deputy Secretary that relations
with India had improved. Both sides had pursued
confidence-building measures and there was progress on
Kashmir. However, the Siachen Glacier and Sir Creek issues
remained unresolved. Preserving the Siachen Glacier should
be the top priority of both sides but both armies were
damaging it. Loss of ice, explained Khan, could create
significant environmental problems.
5. (C) While Sir Creek was still an issue, new maps were
helping the nations discuss the problem. Khan also reviewed
India,s and Pakistan,s differences on trade issues. Khan
reported that Pakistan was prepared to negotiate on
non-tariff barriers either bilaterally with India or through
the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
The Deputy Secretary's office has reviewed this message.
ISLAMABAD 00002797 002 OF 002
BODDE