Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT1454
2008-11-06 03:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: PAKISTANI DIPLOMAT SKEPTICAL ON IPI PIPELINE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001454
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2018
TAGS: EPET, IR, PGOV, PINR, PK, PREL, TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: PAKISTANI DIPLOMAT SKEPTICAL ON IPI
PIPELINE
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001454
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2018
TAGS: EPET, IR, PGOV, PINR, PK, PREL, TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: PAKISTANI DIPLOMAT SKEPTICAL ON IPI
PIPELINE
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Dr. Ali Arain, the Pakistani DCM in Ashgabat, told
Emboff this week that prospects for launching the IPI
(Iran-Pakistan-India) or "Peace" pipeline look improbable
because Iran has no exportable surplus and lacks the means to
exploit its natural gas reserves. Although recent press
coverage has focused on reports that Iran and Pakistan may go
ahead with the project without India and regardless of
concerns about the pipeline's security through Pakistan's
Baluchestan province, according to our contact, the real
issue lies with Iran's inability to extract the gas. He said
it was unclear whether Iran's agreement last June with
Gazprom will include development of the South Pars gas fields
that are supposed to supply the pipeline. He also noted that
Iran had to divert gas intended for export to Turkey last
year to meet its own domestic consumption needs.
EFFORTS TO JOIN THE SCO
2. (C) Noting Iran's efforts to move from observer status to
full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO),Dr. Arain said that Pakistan, which also holds
observer status, continues to push for full membership. He
stressed that Pakistan's role in regional security issues and
combating terrorism make its full participation even more
essential. He said that Iran's motivation for wanting full
membership relates to its desire for closer relations with
China and Russia. He added that, as usual, Iran's intentions
are "non-transparent," that it continues to employ its usual
"secret diplomacy" in its relations in the region.
3. (C) COMMENT: Dr. Arain is always a very helpful and open
interlocutor. He was very skeptical about construction of
the IPI project starting as scheduled in 2009. He promised
to update us on details about the project as he learns them.
END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2018
TAGS: EPET, IR, PGOV, PINR, PK, PREL, TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: PAKISTANI DIPLOMAT SKEPTICAL ON IPI
PIPELINE
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Dr. Ali Arain, the Pakistani DCM in Ashgabat, told
Emboff this week that prospects for launching the IPI
(Iran-Pakistan-India) or "Peace" pipeline look improbable
because Iran has no exportable surplus and lacks the means to
exploit its natural gas reserves. Although recent press
coverage has focused on reports that Iran and Pakistan may go
ahead with the project without India and regardless of
concerns about the pipeline's security through Pakistan's
Baluchestan province, according to our contact, the real
issue lies with Iran's inability to extract the gas. He said
it was unclear whether Iran's agreement last June with
Gazprom will include development of the South Pars gas fields
that are supposed to supply the pipeline. He also noted that
Iran had to divert gas intended for export to Turkey last
year to meet its own domestic consumption needs.
EFFORTS TO JOIN THE SCO
2. (C) Noting Iran's efforts to move from observer status to
full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
(SCO),Dr. Arain said that Pakistan, which also holds
observer status, continues to push for full membership. He
stressed that Pakistan's role in regional security issues and
combating terrorism make its full participation even more
essential. He said that Iran's motivation for wanting full
membership relates to its desire for closer relations with
China and Russia. He added that, as usual, Iran's intentions
are "non-transparent," that it continues to employ its usual
"secret diplomacy" in its relations in the region.
3. (C) COMMENT: Dr. Arain is always a very helpful and open
interlocutor. He was very skeptical about construction of
the IPI project starting as scheduled in 2009. He promised
to update us on details about the project as he learns them.
END COMMENT.
CURRAN