Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD3634
2008-11-18 12:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:  

GOP STILL NOT READY TO APPROVE PNR

Tags:  EAIR PGOV PTER ECON PREL PK 
pdf how-to read a cable
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FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
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INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5335
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHMFISS/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 9422
RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 6368
RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 5221
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 003634 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/19/2018
TAGS: EAIR PGOV PTER ECON PREL PK
SUBJECT: GOP STILL NOT READY TO APPROVE PNR

Ref: A) SECSTATE 119281 B) ISLAMABAD 1587

Classified by: Ambassador for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 003634

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/19/2018
TAGS: EAIR PGOV PTER ECON PREL PK
SUBJECT: GOP STILL NOT READY TO APPROVE PNR

Ref: A) SECSTATE 119281 B) ISLAMABAD 1587

Classified by: Ambassador for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. On November 18, DCM delivered reftel A demarche
regarding data sharing for passenger name records to Ministry of
Interior Secretary Kamal Shah. Shah noted that the Government of
Pakistan (GOP) has been having internal discussion on the issue of
providing data to fulfill the Department of Homeland Security's
requirements for passenger name records. Shah elaborated to state
that the "internal problems" stem from the USG request to provide
data on ALL passengers on ALL flights. Shah stated that "our view is
that [sharing data on] all direct flights to the US is no problem"
and that "flights to Western Europe" could be considered, but was
clear that the GOP was not presently considering data sharing for
flights to the Middle East or Asia. Shah asked for information
regarding other countries which are implementing the passenger name
records data sharing requirements. End Summary.


2. (C) On November 18, DCM delivered reftel A demarche regarding data
sharing for passenger name records to Ministry of Interior Secretary
Kamal Shah. Shah noted that the Government of Pakistan (GOP) has
been having internal discussion on the issue of providing data to
fulfill the Department of Homeland Security's requirements for
passenger name records. Shah elaborated to state that the "internal
problems" stem from the USG request to provide data on ALL passengers
on ALL flights. Shah stated that "our view is that [sharing data on]
all direct flights to the US is no problem" and the GOP thought that
"they could consider sharing data which would indirectly affect the
US." He later expanded upon the GOP idea to explain that "flights to
Western Europe" could be considered but was clear that the GOP was
not presently considering data sharing for flights to the Middle East
or Asia.


3. (C) Noting that the GOP was "keen to start direct flights to the
U.S.," Shah noted that the direct flights would provide some
financial relief to Pakistani International Airways (PIA) and ease

travel for Pakistani citizens. He remarked that the local media is
"very difficult to manage and that the GOP thought this would be
politically exploited and embarrass the government." Shah further
stated that this program would "have to be dealt with in Parliament
and that would also be a problem." He also conveyed a Ministry of
Defense concern that certain laws and regulations would have to be
changed in order to implement this program domestically.


4. (C) DCM noted that prior to assuming his duties in Islamabad, he
worked in S/CT and followed the USG internal discussions on PNR
closely. DCM explained that the goal of PNR was to build a global
system of travel patterns with information leading to better security
and this was not a request specific to Pakistan. DCM also stated
that "in today's world of travel, it is impossible to say where the
nexus to U.S. travel would be since you can easily board a plane in
Islamabad, travel to Doha or Bangkok and then get a direct flight to
the U.S." He noted that DHS sees this as "a tool in the war on
terror and an aid in stopping the flow of foreign fighters."


5. (C) Shah inquired about what other countries have currently
implemented these requirements and noted that the GOP had inquired
among other countries in South Asia and the Middle East to see if
there was a similar commitment. DCM explained that any agreements on
PNR are kept strictly confidential just as any future agreement with
Pakistan would be held in the strictest of confidence. Stating that
the GOP received "vague replies," Shah further inquired if "the US
could at least tell the GOP the number of countries which have agreed
to the PNR conditions" even if the countries cannot be named
specifically.


6. (C) Shah then asked if the US might consider implementation on PNR
with only flights to Western Europe. DCM responded that the Embassy
could relay any proposal which the GOP might like to suggest but that
the greater interest of the program would include expanded coverage
and that Pakistan had already agreed to Phase I of the program.
Noting that Phase I included all flights for PIA and one other
airline that would be mutually agreed to at a later date, the DCM
suggested that the GOP consider the proposal quickly since the US
hopes to finalize the agreement by the end of the year. Shah replied
with surprise "we are looking at the phases differently." Shah
further clarified that the GOP views Phase I as limited to only PIA
and only limited to flights to the U.S.


7. (C) Shah indicated that he would reconvene the "stakeholders" to

ISLAMABAD 00003634 002 OF 002


further discuss the issue given that the Administration was about to
change and a decision was needed by the end of the year; however he
expressed skepticism that the GOP would be able to act quickly on
this issue.


8. (SBU) Comment: Post notes that due to security concerns for their
crews and in the absence of hotels, British Airways and Lufthansa
have cancelled all flights to Pakistan. Other international airlines
still in operation include Kuwait Airways, Emirates, Qatar, Etihad,
Thai, and Saudi Airlines. At present only PIA flies directly from
Pakistan to Western Europe. End Comment.

PATTERSON