Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD5091
2007-11-30 10:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:  

PAKISTAN TO MISS DEADLINE FOR 2008 AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL

Tags:  EPET ENRG EMIN ETRD EAID PREL PK 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1676
RR RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD
DE RUEHIL #5091 3341032
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301032Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3558
INFO RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
RHRMDAA/COMUSNAVCENT
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 005091 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG EMIN ETRD EAID PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN TO MISS DEADLINE FOR 2008 AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL
SURVEY PROPOSAL

REF: ISLAMABAD 3871

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 005091

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG EMIN ETRD EAID PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN TO MISS DEADLINE FOR 2008 AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL
SURVEY PROPOSAL

REF: ISLAMABAD 3871


1. (SBU) Summary: Due to the upcoming elections in Pakistan and
current caretaker government, Government of Pakistan (GOP) approval
for the proposed USGS and NRL geophysical survey is not possible in
advance of the December 1 deadline. Post will continue to advocate
for project approval so that the survey can take place in 2009.
Post appreciates USGS and NRL support. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Contacts in the Pakistani Armed Force's Joint Headquarters
Planning Division informed Embassy Islamabad Senior Air Force
Representative that the GOP is not in a position to garner full
approval of a proposed airborne geophysical survey of the country
prior to the upcoming January elections.


3. (SBU) The survey, jointly proposed by the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL),is designed to be a
multiphase, airborne survey of Pakistan. Collected data would be
utilized for the analysis of natural resources, soil composition,
hydrology, earthquake hazard analysis and civil infrastructure
planning. There was a narrow window of opportunity to secure GOP
permission for a 2008 survey. The USGS-NRL team required
notification by December 1, 2007 to begin preparation for a January
- April 2008 survey.


4. (SBU) Comment: There is widespread support for the geophysical
survey in Pakistan's scientific community and Government Ministries
(reftel). While the deadline for project implementation in 2008 has
passed, Post continues to believe that the project is worthwhile and
will advocate on its behalf. Following the January 2008 elections
and formation of a new government, we will engage our GOP
interlocutors on the project, aiming to secure permission for 2009
survey dates. End Comment.

PATTERSON