Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD4767
2007-11-07 16:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:  

DCM MEETS WITH NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR AZIZ

Tags:  PGOV PREL PK AEMR CASC KFLO PINR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0543
OO RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHIL #4767/01 3111624
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 071624Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3063
INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 7713
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 6647
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 2146
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 7922
RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 3953
RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 2481
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 3203
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 004767 

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PK AEMR CASC KFLO PINR
SUBJECT: DCM MEETS WITH NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR AZIZ

REF: ISLAMABAD 4761

Classified By: Anne W.Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b),(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 004767

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NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PK AEMR CASC KFLO PINR
SUBJECT: DCM MEETS WITH NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR AZIZ

REF: ISLAMABAD 4761

Classified By: Anne W.Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: The DCM met with National Security Advisor
Tariq Aziz for a 30-minute one-on-one meeting November 7.
During the meeting the DCM conveyed reports that detained
human rights lawyer Atizaz Ahsan has no access to family
members and may have suffered physical abuse. The DCM
reiterated the USG position that GOP should proceed with
elections as scheduled and Musharraf should take his uniform
off. The DCM discussed media censorship and expressed
disappointment that despite assurances otherwise to the DCM
two days ago, both domestic and international private
channels are off the air. Aziz requested USG assistance
engaging Benazir Bhutto to keep her people off the streets in
response to the government's actions. The DCM responded that
it is clear Bhutto was left with few options. The GOP could
allay her mobilization efforts by quickly announcing election
dates and having the President resign as Army Chief. Aziz
responded that this could happen in the next few days. END
SUMMARY.

ELECTION DECLARATION
-------------- --------------

2.(C) Aziz opened the meeting by stating he expected the DCM
to bring a formal message from the USG. The DCM responded by
reiterating the formal and consistent message delivered over
the past few days, including President Bush's clear statement.

3.(C) Aziz went into a long explanation that a delay in
announcing the election date and the date of the President's
resignation as Army Chief is due to his hope four of the
previous Supreme Court justices will take a new oath of
allegiance. He went on to state the four were reasonable men
and the GOP thought it was in their best interest to have
them join the court. The DCM responded that the GOP made a
serious error by not having President Musharraf announce a
firm, prompt election date as well as his reaffirmation to

remove the uniform by November 15. Each day no announcement
is made prolongs the crisis and seriously adds to the
international consensus that Pakistan is faltering in its
commitment to hold free and fair elections.

4.(C) Aziz was taken aback by the comment and quickly
responded the election would be announced in the next few
days and the President would soon remove his uniform. When
pressed on the election date, he said it would be some time
in early February, claiming the originally scheduled January
15th date could not be achieved.

5.(C) The DCM provided Aziz a candid assessment of the
Congressional reaction to GOP's delay. While Aziz took this
all on board, it was clear he did not appreciate the
potential damage this could have on U.S. assistance to
Pakistan.

AMB TO MEET BHUTTO
-------------- --------------
6.(C) The DCM informed Aziz that AMB Patterson would meet
Bhutto later today. In response to Aziz's earlier request
for USG intervention with Bhutto to prevent PPP forces from
engaging in demonstrations, the DCM said that it was clear
Bhutto felt boxed in and said if the GOP wanted her to
restrain her people from the streets, GOP would have to
announce election dates and President Musharraf would have to
resign as Army Chief.

7.(C) At this point, Aziz reiterated elections would be
announced in the next three to four days and the President
would resign as soon as the four Supreme Court members were
added to the Supreme Court some time in the next 10-15 days.

8.(C) The DCM expressed great concern the GOP did not have
the luxury of time. The public mood and patience is quickly
waning as the government delays the announcement. The DCM
also raised the issue that Bhutto's staff were not receiving
regular briefings on the progress of the Karachi bombing
investigations. We noted the need for better communication
from the GOP to Bhutto regarding updates in the

ISLAMABAD 00004767 002 OF 002


investigation. Aziz agreed and said he would speak to the
proper authorities about the issue.

DETENTION OF ATIZAZ AHSAN
-------------- --------------
9.(C) The DCM raised the USG's great concern for the welfare
of Atizaz Ahsan. The DCM explained there are confirmed
reports family members are not allowed to visit him in
detention nor is he provided with needed medicines. He
further stated he received unconfirmed reports that Ahsan had
been physically abused. The DCM noted that Deputy Secretary
was contacted by Senator Conrad who said 30 U.S. Senators
were signing a letter expressing concern over the
imprisonment of Ahsan. Aziz said he would share this with
the DG ISI and try to open visitation to family members and
diplomatic missions. In addition to protesting Ahsan's
detention, the DCM said it was painfully clear GOP had no
appreciation of the international uproar Ahsan's arrest had
created.

MEDIA CENSORSHIP
-------------- --------------


10. (C) Aziz feigned ignorance on media censorship and said
he would ensure international broadcasters were back on the
air shortly. He expected domestic media back on the air once
they agreed to the new PEMBRA standards. (COMMENT: He left a
clear impression that he was only paying lip service to the
DCM concerns. We expect little progress. END COMMENT)

UNDOING THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF PROGRESS
-------------- --------------

11.(C) The DCM raised the issue of excessive force by GOP
security officials dealing with demonstrations and arrests.
He noted the perception the GOP created by using heavy-handed
tactics was undoing the public's perception of progress
President Musharraf had made creating an open society and
moving towards democracy.
PATTERSON