PRIME MINISTER GILANI AND CODEL GREEN DISCUSS BORDER ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002336 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EAID PTER PK SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER GILANI AND CODEL GREEN DISCUSS BORDER ISSUES AND TERRORISM Classified By: Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: In a July 4 meeting with CODEL Green focused on cross-border issues with Afghanistan, Prime Minister Gilani explained his views on the causes of terrorism in Pakistan and his government's three prong counter-terrorism policy. He also requested additional Parliamentary exchanges and cooperation, market access to the U.S., and more intelligence sharing. End summary. More cooperation with Afghanistan sought - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (C) A Congressional delegation composed of Representatives Gene Green (D-TX),Mike McCaul (R-TX),and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) met with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani July 4, accompanied by the Ambassador. The meeting focused on Afghanistan-Pakistan border issues. After recalling his visit to the U.S. as Speaker of the National Assembly in 1996 to lobby against the Pressler Amendment, Gilani focused on Pakistan's challenges managing its border with Afghanistan, emphasizing that Pakistan wants a "stable, prosperous Afghanistan." Pakistan attended the recent Paris donors' conference for Afghanistan, and the Prime Minister commented that Pakistan plans to hold a regional conference soon. ¶3. (C) The Prime Minister highlighted that Pakistan had constructed some 900 border posts, or one every three kilometers, while Afghanistan had only constructed 100. Explaining that the GOP had developed a biometric system for border crossing, the Prime Minister noted Afghanistan has not "not given an encouraging response" for joint adoption of this system. Another worry is that "sophisticated weapons" are flowing into Afghanistan from Russia and Central Asia. The Prime Minister added that President Karzai had invited him to address the National Assembly. ¶4. (C) National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister Durrani mentioned that Pakistan needs greater cooperation with the U.S. and Afghanistan at the border to "avoid further incidents" as well as better intelligence and firepower. (Note: Durrani was referring to the deaths of 11 Pakistani soldiers in a June 10 U.S. air strike. End note.) ¶5. (C) Gilani also raised the three million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan and the lack of international recognition for Pakistan's refugee support efforts. He wants them to return, but unfortunately they have few economic opportunities in Afghanistan and many now have family and business ties to Pakistan. Pakistan's policy on terrorism - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶6. (C) Commenting that when he was first elected to the National Assembly in 1985, the U.S. focus in Pakistan was on poppy eradication, and that the U.S. had provided assistance in the form of roads, tourism development, and gas exploration to develop alternative economic opportunities. The Prime Minister acknowledged that this effort was a success, and suggested that a similar effort be undertaken to combat terrorism in Pakistan. He asked for assistance with schools and market access -- specifically Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) -- since the "root cause" of terrorism is "poverty, hunger, and lack of jobs." ¶7. (C) The Prime Minister explained his government's three prong strategy against terrorism: -- negotiate with the militants who have renounced fighting and integrate them into the political system; -- economic development, e.g. the ROZs; -- force, preferably as a last resort. He commented that "we are currently in the last stage" since militants have blown up schools, barbershops and resorts. These measures are unpopular but necessary. In response to Representative McCaul's question, Gilani ruled out the possibility of joint U.S.-Pakistani military operations in Pakistan. "It is better for Pakistan to do the operation alone but we need more weapons." ¶8. (C) Representative Green recognized the need for additional equipment to help Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, and the need for a solid relationship between U.S. and Pakistani intelligence services. The Prime Minister asked the U.S. to "trust us" and urged an international focus on market access for Pakistan and more help identifying business opportunities and constructing infrastructure. PATTERSON