CODEL NELSON MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER GILANI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ISLAMABAD 001968 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/29/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: CODEL NELSON MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER GILANI Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, for reasons 1.4 (b)(d). ¶1. (C) Summary. In a meeting May 27 with Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani, Codel Nelson discussed the political and economic situation and efforts to combat extremism in Pakistan. Gilani expressed appreciation for U.S. assistance, particularly in the tribal areas, but said more was needed. He outlined the new administration's priorities of law and order, economic growth, and the strengthening of political institutions. He remarked that U.S. support in all three areas would be critical to success and that the time to do so is now. Gilani believes that increased bilateral cooperation with the U.S. regarding intelligence and information sharing, as well as economic support/funding, are necessary to combat extremism in the tribal areas. He also defended efforts by the new government to begin negotiations with tribal leaders in areas of militancy, stating the administration is executing a three-pronged strategy there: 1) political dialogue with non-militant, influential leaders, 2) development of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) and local governments through education and health care reforms and 3) the use of force if actionable intelligence exists and such force is necessary. Gilani indicated that he understood U.S. reservations about agreements between the government and tribal leaders, but guaranteed the administration would enforce the expulsion of extremists and continue efforts to mitigate cross-border engagements. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Codel Nelson--Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Representatives F. Allen Boyd (D-FL) and Nicholas Lampson (D-TX)--and Ambassador met May 27 with Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani in Rawalpindi. ¶3. (C) Gilani began the meeting with an overview of the transformation that has taken place in the government following elections, emphasizing that the forces of democracy had won the elections and the transition to a civilian administration is complete. Furthermore, despite U.S. concerns that instabilities during the fragile transition could erode gains in the border region, Gilani stressed the "centrist" government was working diligently to create stability and promote engagement through development, education, and economic reforms. Accordingly, the new administration's priorities, said Gilani, were promoting law and order, economic growth, and the strengthening of political institutions. ¶4. (C) While adamant that Pakistan views the war on terror, particularly in the border regions, as their own war, Gilani requested more bilateral cooperation from the U.S. He remarked that U.S. support for democracy should be aimed at strengthening Pakistan's institutions. While empathetic with certain reservations within the USG, Gilani opined that the democratically elected administration is working hard to create "democracy dividends" in troubled areas. U.S. support is needed now, he said, to help establish stable institutions that can create the necessary balance of power between the president and parliament. Such institutions would also be critical to success in combating extremism and cross-border terrorism in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP). Gilani commented that the civilian administration is committed to fostering good relations with Afghanistan because without them, controlling the situation along the border would become increasingly difficult. He pointed to the continued refugee problem, as well as the disparity in manned border check points (1:9 Afghan-Pak ratio according to Gilani),as illustrative of the need to garner further Afghan cooperation. Some gains are being made through the use of smaller jirgas, but Gilani stressed the need for added engagement with tribal leaders and increased U.S. information/intelligence sharing and economic support. ¶5. (C) Senator Nelson indicated the Congress was interested in ensuring the U.S. and Pakistan were better partners in Afghanistan "this time around" and hoped that our relationship on counter-terrorism (CT) remained strong. He did express concern, however, about impending peace agreements in the FATA, stating it was in both countries' interests to guarantee enforcement of the agreements, specifically to eliminate cross-border terrorism and the expulsion of outside extremist forces. Nelson conceded that ISLAMABAD 00001968 002 OF 003 such enforcement would not be easy, particularly with the government in transition, but conveyed confidence that the administration would continue to work closely with "seasoned veterans," such as the Ambassador, to find a workable solution. ¶6. (C) Gilani replied "loud and clear" that although he was against implementation of these peace agreements, provincial governments had moved ahead without consent. Nevertheless, National Security Advisor Durrani would meet with Afghan counterparts to resolve reservations on the agreements and discuss methods for enhancing border security within their framework. Gilani also indicated the need to work with provincial parties to establish credible government institutions aimed at enhancing relations, both with the provincial governments and their tribal constituents. Notwithstanding, Gilani vehemently argued that speculation of the army's removal from the troubled areas was without merit. He asserted the army had simply relocated to areas from which they could exert greater control and maintain visibility of all roads in and out of the these areas. ¶7. (C) Congressman Boyd remarked that the U.S. election is rapidly approaching and while the American people remain committed to providing support to help stabilize the region, the new administration will certainly seek to reevaluate policies regarding allocation of U.S. resources to do so. Noting that Pakistan is the strategic linchpin in the war on terror and no doubt an important ally, he asked how Pakistan might better deal with troubled areas such as the NWFP and FATA, as well as extremists such as Baitullah Mehsud. Gilani quickly responded that Pakistan was a committed coalition partner that has "already delivered" in the war on terror and would continue to do so in the future. He pointed out that although people in these troubled areas were generally not supportive of warlordism and extremism, army occupation and operations in the area drove many of them to flee. Thus, increased political dialogue must occur between the government and tribal leaders, so long as they are willing to lay down their arms and take responsibility for expelling extremists themselves. Durrani added that improved U.S. support in both equipment and intelligence sharing was necessary to generate quicker responses to extremist action. He also commented that a certain level of mistrust which still existed between the U.S. and Pakistan must be eliminated if cooperation is to be effective. Boyd agreed that a military engagement alone would be ineffective and that political and developmental engagement with locals was the key to lasting stability. He reiterated the likely reevaluation of U.S. resource expenditures, stressing an increased emphasis on training both Pakistani and Afghani forces to combat extremism along the border. ¶8. (C) Gilani agreed that increased engagement in the areas was needed and outlined the administration's three-pronged policy for generating stability and security. First, he emphasized the need for political dialogue with influential non-militant leaders who are willing to lay down their arms and accept governmental engagement. Second, Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZ) would continue to be developed with the help of local governments to provide much needed education, health care, and economic growth. Finally, there must be, according to Gilani, the ability to use force to strike against militancy and extremism when actionable intelligence exists. He added that the government must encourage tribes to take responsibility for expelling extremists on their own, or at least identify them to Pakistani forces. They must be brought "into the fold" of the provincial governments and feel they are a part of it, so they will be willing to contribute to its success and reap its benefits. ¶9. (C) Nelson concluded the meeting by thanking Gilani and Durrani for their forthrightness and commitment as an ally, but expressed the desire for more specifics regarding on their stated needs for improved U.S. military equipment support. Durrani swiftly responded that while the battle against extremism is being fought today, the U.S. system of providing equipment and funding is archaically slow, describing efforts to acquire helicopters and parts as too little, too late. Gilani added that security assistance, particularly for their F-16 program, was badly needed, but ISLAMABAD 00001968 003 OF 003 that more cooperation is essential to fully overcome persisting feelings resulting from Pressler Amendment transgressions. ¶10. (U) CODEL Nelson did not clear this cable. PATTERSON