PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF AND CODEL CARDIN DISCUSS BILATERAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 002304 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EAID PTER IN PK SUBJECT: PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF AND CODEL CARDIN DISCUSS BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP Classified By: DCM Peter W. Bodde, for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. In a June 30 meeting with Codel Cardin, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf explained the importance of concluding agreements with the tribal groups in the border areas to secure peace. He also expressed hope for stronger military and intelligence cooperation with the U.S as well as increased economic assistance and help with Pakistan-India relations. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) A Congressional delegation composed of Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD),and Representatives Robert Aderholt (R-AL),Mike McIntyre (D-NC),Loretta Sanchez (D-CA),and Zach Wamp (R-TN) as well as the Deputy Chief of Mission met June 30 with President Pervez Musharraf at the Rawalpindi encampment. Topics covered included: importance of the bilateral relationship, security in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and India. -------------- Importance of the bilateral relationship -------------- ¶3. (C) While noting that the U.S. Congress follows events in Pakistan very closely, Senator Cardin expressed support for Pakistan and noted the "mutually important issues facing our countries" and the significant impact that issues in Pakistan have across the border in Afghanistan. Musharraf agreed that the bilateral relationship is on track, and hoped that it would be further strengthened, specifically citing the need for stronger military and intelligence cooperation. He spoke candidly with the delegation, and noted that Pakistan needed to wage a public image campaign to "wake up the Pakistani people to the threats within." ¶4. (C) Responding to Rep. Aderholt's question of "how can the U.S be more helpful," Musharraf first noted the importance of bringing down oil prices and further elaborated that "the developing world can't survive" with the current high oil prices. Second, Musharraf asked for increased economic assistance through market access and job creation. He referred to his previous requests for a free trade agreement and noted that the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones "have been very slow to come on-line" but added "if an FTA is not possible, then at least give us more market access." Third, Musharraf asked for increases in, and expeditious reimbursements of, Coalition Support Funds and more support for the Frontier Corps. ¶5. (C) Responding to Rep. Wamp's question on the country's economic vulnerability in the face of an energy crisis, Musharraf acknowledged that Pakistan is facing serious economic problems. Noting that increases in oil and wheat prices have hurt the economy, he stated that the real economic threat is the loss of political stability because of Pakistan's struggle against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. He added that "people are worried and are running away with their money." Further claiming that "this is an unholy coalition who are trying to stab each other in the back," Musharraf opined that the economy is also suffering from a lack of focus from the coalition government, and that without quick action, righting the economy "could be harder than fighting terrorism." -------------- Security Issues in the Border Areas -------------- ¶6. (C) Explaining that it is important to see FATA security issues in "their entire complexity" and noting that "Al Qaeda is in our mountains and we must get them," Musharraf claimed that robust cooperation is necessary to root out militant groups which he further described as "not previously established and not active in Pakistan's cities." He referred to the June 10 Frontier Corps incident as "something that should not have happened" and regretted the bad press which resulted from the loss of Frontier Corps soldiers. ¶7. (C) Turning to the issue of federal government negotiations with the tribes in the FATA, Musharraf referred to the process as "necessary to build trust among the tribal people" and stated that the government "needed cover with the tribal people to take action." He viewed four "components" as "essential" in any such agreements: "1) no Al Qaeda- no harboring or facilitation; 2) no cross border Taliban activity; 3) a strong penalty for any violation of the agreement; and 4) an "implementation mechanism" against any ISLAMABAD 00002304 002 OF 002 violator." Musharraf claimed that if the tribal agreements had all four components, then "we should be happy." He referred to the agreement with Waziristan "where the situation [was] better," and noted the NWFP Governor recently spent the night in the district after a cadet school dedication ceremony. ¶8. (C) He empathetically expressed that Baitullah Mehsud "must be eliminated" and noted that "Mehsud's people" were in Waziristan but further stated that "the tribes don't meet with them due to the agreement." Musharraf expressed hope that future agreements could be signed in public with "big personalities present" and also broadcast on television to show their importance and create public pressure on the groups to respect the terms of the agreement. ¶9. (C) He opined that the new coalition government had been too slow in using military force in the border areas and expressed frustration at the overall "foot dragging on policy issues." He also noted that the new government "needed to communicate with the military and clearly state its policy." Musharraf further stated that recently internal communication had been better "with the alarm bells ringing" since the settled areas are now affected. Claiming that "Pakistan as a whole will be in danger if we don't act," the President noted an agreement had been reached internally to use the Frontier Corps in the border area disputes with redeployment of troops from Balochistan Province to increase their numbers by four wings. He further noted that he thinks the Frontier Corps needs to raise another four wings to quell the current unrest. Musharraf also stated that the military "has the resolve to act." -------------- Earthquake areas -------------- ¶10. (C) Responding to Rep. Sanchez's question, Musharraf claimed the reconstruction efforts in the earthquake affected areas as "one of Pakistan's greatest success stories" and noted that "we have done a better job than the tsunami and Katrina." Expressing his gratitude to the world for the $6.5 billion relief effort, he noted that international assistance, including 500,000 earthquake resistant houses, modern schools with computers and science labs, and vocational skills from the construction efforts, has led to a higher standard of living for the region. -------------- India -------------- ¶11. (C) Responding to Rep. McIntyre's question regarding what role the U.S should play in Pak-India relations, Musharraf simply stated "a greater role" and then explained the U.S. can influence India on issues such as Kashmir and greater economic interaction. Cardin further agreed that improved relations between India and Pakistan are in the U.S interest. Rep. Sanchez noted that on her previous visit in 2006 Musharraf told her that "India was dragging their feet" and noted that she hopes the U.S can help improve their relationship. Musharraf responded that India is the "big brother with a small heart" and noted that the "magnanimity must come from the bigger brother but can be positively received." ¶12. (C) Cardin expressed his continued support and noted that Pakistan and the U.S. are strategically linked. He promised to take back Musharraf's request for more economic assistance. Cardin also noted that it is critical to resolve the security issues in the border areas to secure stability in Afghanistan. Musharraf pledged that Pakistan would stay the course because "it is in our own self interest." ¶13. (U) Codel Cardin did not clear on this message. PATTERSON