PAKISTANI PM AZIZ DISCUSSES AFGHANISTAN, MIL-MIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000071 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2017 TAGS: MOPS NATO PREL MARR PK SUBJECT: PAKISTANI PM AZIZ DISCUSSES AFGHANISTAN, MIL-MIL TIES WITH NATO SYG JANUARY 30 REF: NATO 0062 USNATO 00000071 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: DCM Richard G. Olson for reasons 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (SBU) NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer distributed to Allies a report on his discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Aziz on January 30 preceding Aziz's meeting with the NAC (REFTEL). ¶2. (C) Text of SYG's Report SG(2007)0095 follows. Note internal numbering. Begin text: (1) I met the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Shaukat Aziz for a short bilateral call prior to the meeting with the North Atlantic Council. He presented his views in an open and frank fashion and covered the same points as during his address to the Council. (2) The Prime Minister articulated his view for a "progressive, democratic, vibrant and Muslim Pakistan seen as an anchor of stability in South Asia", a country which should therefore be seen as a partner of the international community in the region. (3) Regarding Afghanistan, he referred to his recent meeting with President Karzai and regretted public finger-pointing as unfair. He noted that Pakistan had to deal with a 2,640 KM porous border and 3 million Afghan refugees being sheltered in Pakistan. He had personally taken a number of measures starting with the deployment of more than 80,000 troops to guard the border and the introduction of new measures including biometric IDs to monitor cross border movements. He also insisted on the need to develop a more coherent strategy to build up Afghanistan. He noted that his country, as a traditionally non-aid giving country, had however invested in different development programmes. (4) On Afghanistan I briefed my interlocutor on the recent Ministerial Meeting recalling NATO's clear commitment towards Afghanistan. A concerted effort of the international community, the UN and the EU was needed to win the hearts and minds of the Afghans on the ground, highlighting that a sole military response would not be sufficient. I also thanked the Pakistani government for its efforts to stem cross border activities, and stressed that a joint and a combined effort of NATO, the Afghan National Army as well as the Pakistani authorities was required to successfully address the problem. (5) In PM's view, Pakistan could not be accused of playing a double game vis--vis Afghanistan, as it had all to gain from having a stable neighbour, pointing among other things to the severe casualties suffered by the Pakistani Army, the drug trafficking and the terrorist activities which could in turn destabilise his own country as demonstrated by the numerous terrorist attacks perpetrated in Pakistan. (6) He stated that public accusations in the media had been largely counterproductive and I agreed that we should all refrain from commenting publicly on operational issues. Commenting on the situation in Quetta, he was of the view that it was difficult to control some 600,000 refugees and recognised that the camps there, as well as around Peshawar were breeding grounds for terrorist movements. He was well aware of the situation which was one of the main reasons for the appointment of a new Police Chief of the Provincial district. He also advocated for a coordinated approach to promote the return of refugees. I echoed his point insisting on greater involvement of the UNHCR. (7) The Prime Minister viewed drug production as an intrinsic feature of insecurity and as the major source for terrorist funding. Taking example of his own country's experience, he invited the IC to take drastic measures. I recognised the importance of the problem but insisted that the Afghan authorities were in the driving seat. (8) Finally, regarding NATO-Pakistan cooperation, the Prime Minister explained that Pakistan was grateful for the NATO contribution to the relief operation which was "now viewed as USNATO 00000071 002.2 OF 002 one of the most successful operations." He announced that his country was ready to conclude the agreement with NATO on the Lines of Communication. He was also grateful regarding the enhanced mil-to-mil cooperation and the Tripartite Commission and he conveyed the Chief of Defence Staff's gratitude for NATO's opening of various courses. (9) I welcomed the establishment of close mil-to-mil relations through the ISAF liaison arrangements in Islamabad and the Tripartite Commission. I stressed that enhanced mil-to-mil exchanges needed to be matched with enhanced political dialogue. I also thanked for his announcement regarding the completion of the transit agreement. He invited me to visit Pakistan and I accepted this invitation. ¶3. (U) End text. NULAND