UNGA: CANADIAN THOUGHTS ON FRIENDS OF PAKISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 OTTAWA 001263

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/PB - M. TOWNSWICK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON PK CA
SUBJECT: UNGA: CANADIAN THOUGHTS ON FRIENDS OF PAKISTAN
GROUP

REF: STATE 100210

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Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: At the September 26 Friends of Pakistan
Group (FoPG) meeting on the margins of UNGA, Canadian Deputy
Foreign Minister Len Edwards will articulate Canada's desire
to collaborate with like-minded countries in support of
political and economic development and stability in Pakistan.
Canadian officials are studying Pakistan's ADB loan proposal
with financial and regional stability considerations in mind,
and are building mechanisms for Pakistan-Afghanistan
cooperation to promote long-term security and stability along
the border and throughout the region. End summary.


2. (C) Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAIT)
Advisor for Pakistan Andrew Barnes told pol/mil officer on
September 22 that Deputy Foreign Minister Leonard "Len"
Edwards would represent Canada at the September 26 Friends of
Pakistan Group meeting on the margins of the United Nations
General Assembly. He explained that Edwards will attend in
lieu of Foreign Minister David Emerson due to the ongoing
campaigning for Canada's October 14 federal election.

Democracy Building and Political Support
--------------


3. (C) Edwards will reiterate Canada's willingness to work
with international partners to support Pakistan's civilian
government and to help strengthen its democratic
institutions, according to Barnes. He will also argue that
the FofPG needs to assist the Pakistani government in its
effort to build cooperative, constructive political ties with
Afghanistan to advance mutual security and economic
development, which will be key to defeating the Taliban and
al Qaeda in Pakistan.

Economic Assistance
--------------


4. (C) DFAIT officials have briefed Edwards to note that
Canada is studying the ADB proposal on Pakistan, and its
important implications for effective management of
international financial institution and regional stability
considerations, Barnes added. Canada is also taking into
consideration a proposal for a full IMF package, he said, but
on this matter Edwards will likely stress that it is
important to take into account the political realities in
Pakistan and the repercussions on the newly elected
Government if were to accept an IMF loan.

Pakistan-Afghanistan Cooperation
--------------


5. (C) Edwards will almost certainly point out that Canada
is providing assistance for economic development and enhanced
security in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region. He will
Qsecurity in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region. He will
argue that Pakistan-Afghanistan cooperation is important to
promoting long term stability in the region and is key to the
success of Canada's own costly ($1.3 billion per year)
defense, security, reconstruction, and development engagement
in Kandahar.


6. (C) Edwards will likely also draw attention to the "Dubai
Process," a Canadian-led series of workshops on border issues
involving Afghan and Pakistani senior officials, which have

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already fostered useful cross-border dialogue and cooperation
on border issues such as customs, migration, law enforcement,
counter-narcotics, and socio-economic development in the
border regions. According to Barnes, Edwards will suggest
that this effort has established a mediating role for Canada
that it would gladly use to advance other FoPG efforts.

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WILKINS