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 OTTAWA 00001263 001.2 OF 002 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 OTTAWA 00001263 002.2 OF 002 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. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS