Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD418
2008-01-29 12:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
GOP REQUESTS NEW DATE FOR ENERGY DIALOGUE DISCUSSIONS IN
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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000418
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG ECON EFIN EINV PREL PK
SUBJECT: GOP REQUESTS NEW DATE FOR ENERGY DIALOGUE DISCUSSIONS IN
WASHINGTON
REFS: Department of Energy Letter to the GOP dated October 25, 2007
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000418
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG ECON EFIN EINV PREL PK
SUBJECT: GOP REQUESTS NEW DATE FOR ENERGY DIALOGUE DISCUSSIONS IN
WASHINGTON
REFS: Department of Energy Letter to the GOP dated October 25, 2007
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para five.
-------------- --------------
GOP Requests New Date for Discussion with USG on Energy
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) SUMMARY. In response to a letter dated October 25,
2007 from Karen A. Harbert, Assistant Secretary of Energy, Office of
Policy and International Affairs, the GOP has again formally
requested that a new date be selected for the bilateral Strategic
Dialogue Energy Discussions originally proposed for January 30, 2008
in Washington DC. END SUMMARY.
3. (SBU) In response to EMBASSY requests, Mansoor Khan,
Director for Americas at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs relayed that
the DOE proposed date of January 30, 2008 for bilateral energy
discussion in Washington would not be feasible due to the upcoming
February 18 national elections in Pakistan. He suggested that a new
date be proposed by the USG so that the talks can be carried out
shortly after the new government is installed.
4. (SBU) A letter dated October 25, 2007 from Karen A. Harbert,
Assistant Secretary of Energy, Office of Policy and International
Affairs was sent to Mr. Muktar Ahmed, Advisor to the Prime Minister
on Energy via email. The EMBASSY wishes to advise that Mr. Ahmed is
no longer serving as the Prime Minister's energy advisor and has
moved from Pakistan.
--------------
Action request
--------------
5. (SBU) Action request: Post requests the DOE and State
coordinate to set a new date for the Energy Dialogue discussions and
suggests that a target date be on or about the first week of April.
The MFA and Post believe that the newly appointed ministers involved
in energy policy will be in place and this will allow sufficient time
to process visas.
6. (SBU) Pakistan is facing a desperate energy crisis and
seeks closer ties with Iran through a pipeline to solve their energy
crunch. If the USG is to have any opportunity to present any
alternative to the Iran pipeline deal, closer coordination and policy
planning with the USG is desperately needed to mitigate the worsening
energy shortages. The Energy Dialogue poses the best opportunity to
address energy issues at a high coordinating level. Post requests
that a new date be conveyed as soon as possible. End action request.
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG ECON EFIN EINV PREL PK
SUBJECT: GOP REQUESTS NEW DATE FOR ENERGY DIALOGUE DISCUSSIONS IN
WASHINGTON
REFS: Department of Energy Letter to the GOP dated October 25, 2007
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para five.
-------------- --------------
GOP Requests New Date for Discussion with USG on Energy
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) SUMMARY. In response to a letter dated October 25,
2007 from Karen A. Harbert, Assistant Secretary of Energy, Office of
Policy and International Affairs, the GOP has again formally
requested that a new date be selected for the bilateral Strategic
Dialogue Energy Discussions originally proposed for January 30, 2008
in Washington DC. END SUMMARY.
3. (SBU) In response to EMBASSY requests, Mansoor Khan,
Director for Americas at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs relayed that
the DOE proposed date of January 30, 2008 for bilateral energy
discussion in Washington would not be feasible due to the upcoming
February 18 national elections in Pakistan. He suggested that a new
date be proposed by the USG so that the talks can be carried out
shortly after the new government is installed.
4. (SBU) A letter dated October 25, 2007 from Karen A. Harbert,
Assistant Secretary of Energy, Office of Policy and International
Affairs was sent to Mr. Muktar Ahmed, Advisor to the Prime Minister
on Energy via email. The EMBASSY wishes to advise that Mr. Ahmed is
no longer serving as the Prime Minister's energy advisor and has
moved from Pakistan.
--------------
Action request
--------------
5. (SBU) Action request: Post requests the DOE and State
coordinate to set a new date for the Energy Dialogue discussions and
suggests that a target date be on or about the first week of April.
The MFA and Post believe that the newly appointed ministers involved
in energy policy will be in place and this will allow sufficient time
to process visas.
6. (SBU) Pakistan is facing a desperate energy crisis and
seeks closer ties with Iran through a pipeline to solve their energy
crunch. If the USG is to have any opportunity to present any
alternative to the Iran pipeline deal, closer coordination and policy
planning with the USG is desperately needed to mitigate the worsening
energy shortages. The Energy Dialogue poses the best opportunity to
address energy issues at a high coordinating level. Post requests
that a new date be conveyed as soon as possible. End action request.
PATTERSON