FRIENDS OF PAKISTAN: CANADA SEEKS BROAD SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001443 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2018 TAGS: PREL PTER ECON EAID PK CA SUBJECT: FRIENDS OF PAKISTAN: CANADA SEEKS BROAD SECURITY DIALOGUE REF: A. STATE 119783 ¶B. OTTAWA 1441 Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On November 13, Deputy Director for South Asia Peter Fawcett at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) elaborated on Canadian views of the upcoming Friends of Pakistan meeting (reftels). According to Fawcett, Canada seeks a "robust and broad" security discussion, noting that the security issues within the Friends' group have previously been dominated by mil-mil discussions focused primarily on counter-insurgency operations. Canada would like to hear Pakistan discuss its own security strategy in a more holistic manner, encompassing development strategies to combat the sources of insecurity as well as plans for political dialogue and counter-radicalization and a military counter-insurgency strategy. Fawcett praised the Pakistani military for its recent "more considered approach" to military operations, but commented that the situation still requires a "balanced and comprehensive" plan due to the increasing numbers of Pakistani internally displaced persons, as well as the strain of large numbers of Afghan refugees. ¶2. (C) Regarding development aid, Fawcett said that Canada sees scope for better coordination among potential donor countries. In particular, Canada hopes the Friends can discuss ways best to enhance efforts in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas to achieve developmental success stories. He added that Canada is worried that Pakistan is signaling that it will be seeking a significant amount of funding from the Friends. Canada will urge caution in this regard, since it views an IMF bailout package as the principal means of financial support for Pakistan's major funding needs, according to Fawcett. ¶3. (SBU) DFAIT Director General for Policy Planning Graham Shantz, who Fawcett said has deep experience in the region, will represent Canada at the Friends' meeting, while John Moore, director of the Canadian International Development Agency's Pakistan office, will represent CIDA on the delegation. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS