CODEL FEINGOLD MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER GILANI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 001959

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PINR ECON PK
SUBJECT: CODEL FEINGOLD MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER GILANI

Classified by Ambassador Anne Patterson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: In a May 26 meeting with CODEL Feingold, Prime
Minister Yousuf Gilani expressed gratitude for U.S. support for
democracy and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to combat terrorism.
Gilani believes that there is an opportunity for a multi-dimensional
U.S.-Pakistan relationship and sought additional economic,
intelligence, refugee and defense cooperation. On recent peace
negotiations, Gilani clarified that the Government will not negotiate
with militants but will engage non-militant tribesman ready to enter
the mainstream political process. The Prime Minister reported that
he will travel to Kabul and address the Afghan National Assembly at
President Karzai's invitation. Gilani thinks that Pakistan's
judiciary will eventually have to be restored and expressed
confidence that Nawaz Sharif's PML-N will stand by the Pakistan
Peoples Party (PPP) led government. While he has nothing personal
against President Musharraf, Prime Minister Gilani believes that the
people of Pakistan have given the PPP a historic mandate to restore
parliamentary sovereignty. End Summary.


2. (C) Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani began a May 26 meeting
with Senator Russ Feingold and the Ambassador by thanking the U.S.
for supporting democracy in Pakistan. Senator Feingold remarked
there is currently a historic opportunity to forge a multi-faceted
relationship with Pakistan and asked how the U.S. can assist in
Pakistan's democratic transition. The Prime Minister agreed that an
opportunity currently exists, suggesting that more person-to-person
contacts between U.S. and Pakistani government officials and
institutions would be beneficial. Pakistan also needs assistance in
stabilizing the economy, pointing out that rising fuel and food
prices are particularly damaging. Gilani went on to request deeper
intelligence and defense cooperation as well as assistance for the
more than three million Afghan refugees currently in Pakistan.
Adding that the U.S. "wanted democracy, now here it is," the Prime
Minister sought additional U.S. aid as part of "democracy dividend"
and advocated the passage of trade preference programs like
Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs).


3. (C) On the Government of Pakistan's (GOP) support for the War on
Terror, Gilani remains "totally committed" to fighting terrorism,
pointing out that the PPP continues to be a prime target for attacks.
The Prime Minister reiterated that it is in Pakistan's interest to
combat extremism, adding that violence is destroying the country and
economy. The recent election victory of the Awami National Party
(ANP) in the NWFP proves that moderate forces have prevailed in
Pakistan. The Government will engage non-militant tribesman ready to
enter the mainstream political process. "We are anti-Mullah Omar and
pro-Hamid Karzai," he continued, clarifying that the GOP will not
negotiate with militants. Negotiations remain conditional on an end
to cross border attacks and the departure of foreign fighters from
Pakistan.


4. (C) Turning his attention to Afghanistan, the Prime Minister
affirmed that a stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan's national
interest. However, Gilani expressed frustration with Afghanistan,
noting that Pakistani actions against militants have not been matched
on the Afghan side. Pakistan has over 1,000 border posts compared to
90-100 on the Afghan side. Pakistan has tried to employ biometric
screening procedures at some border crossings and is willing to
consider erecting a border fence with Afghan concurrence. Referring
to Karzai's government as a "friend" of the PPP in Balochistan and
ANP in the NWFP, Gilani reported that he will travel to Kabul and
address the Afghan National Assembly at President Karzai's
invitation.


5. (C) When asked about the current state of domestic politics,
Gilani explained that Pakistan was currently "in limbo" between a
presidential system of government and a parliamentary system. The
PPP-led Government looks to balance power in the country; the
National Assembly should be the basis of political power in Pakistan
as it represents the people. While he has nothing personal against
President Musharraf, Prime Minister Gilani believes that the people
of Pakistan have given the PPP a historic mandate to restore
parliamentary sovereignty. Gilani described the opposition PML-Q as
"a bunch of opportunists" that does not sincerely support President
Musharraf. He believes that while most PML-Q parliamentarians are
scared to defect, many will eventually join the PPP.


6. (C) Senator Feingold then asked about the PML-N's current role in
the coalition and the Prime Minister's plans for the restoration of
the judiciary. Gilani believes that Nawaz Sharif's PML-N will
support the PPP fully, adding that the party did not strongly object
to his refusal to accept PML-N minister resignations. When prompted,

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the Prime Minister admitted that he believes the PML-N will
eventually rejoin the Cabinet. Gilani reported that the PPP is
currently working out the modalities of the restoration of the
judiciary, pointing out that an "understanding" has to be reached
first. Sooner or later, he concluded, the judges will have to be
restored.


7. (C) The PPP continues to support the establishment of a UN
tribunal to investigate the December 2007 assassination of former
Prime Minister and PPP Chairman Benazir Bhutto. Gilani reported that
the GOP is already in negotiations with the Office of the UN
Secretary General. Referring to the investigation as a party
commitment, Gilani explained that he wants a neutral and authentic
investigation into the assassination, looking to avoid "political
finger pointing."


8. (U) CODEL Feingold did not clear this cable.

PATTERSON