FRIENDS OF PAKISTAN GROUP TO CONVENE IN NEW YORK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 100210

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (SENSITIVE CAPTION ADDED)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON PK
SUBJECT: FRIENDS OF PAKISTAN GROUP TO CONVENE IN NEW YORK
SEPTEMBER 26

STATE 00100210 001.2 OF 002



1. (U) This is an action cable. Posts other than USNATO
see paragraph 4. USNATO see paragraph 5.


2. (SBU) The US, the UK, and the United Arab Emirates, in
consultation with Pakistan, propose to establish a "Friends
of Pakistan" group to galvanize international efforts in
support of the new civilian government, as it faces a range
of critical challenges. The Secretary, UK Foreign Secretary
Miliband, and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed
Al Nayhan are issuing a joint invitation to addressees' host
country foreign ministers to an inaugural meeting in New York
September 26.


3. (SBU) Given the short time frame, and the fact that many
delegations will be leaving over the weekend for the UN
General Assembly, action posts are requested to approach host
governments' Ministries of Foreign Affairs on Friday,
September 19, to deliver the letter in paragraph 6. To the
extent possible, please deliver together with British and
Emirati counterparts. Posts except for USNATO may draw on
paragraph 4 talking points:


4. (SBU) Talking Points

- The U.S., UK and the UAE propose to convene a meeting of a
new group - the Friends of Pakistan - in order to galvanize
international efforts behind the newly elected government of
Pakistan. The purpose would be to send a signal that the
Government of Pakistan has wide support as it works to
address Pakistan's challenges.

- We wish to be very clear that this will not/not be a
donors' meeting to provide relief from Pakistan's critical
short-term balance of payment and foreign exchange problems;
these must be addressed by swift and credible reform actions
by its government. Discussions of specific economic reform
actions will be left to other, more appropriate channels.

- The group will consist of a small number of like-minded
countries. In addition to the U.S., UK, and the UAE, the
following are being invited: Canada, France, Germany,
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, and Australia, as well as
the EU and the UN. (If asked: Other interested nations,
organizations and financial institutions could be invited to
subsequent meetings as appropriate.) Pakistan will serve as
co-chair of the meeting.

- The inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place in New
York at the United Nations General Headquarters on Friday,
September 26, at 9:35 a.m.

- We would appreciate learning as soon as possible whether
your Foreign Minister will be able to attend.


5. (SBU) FOR USNATO ACTION ONLY: Please deliver the
following points to the Secretary General's Private Office:

- Given the urgency of the situation in Pakistan and the
opportunity provided by the General Assembly, we would like
to move quickly to establish this small group to galvanize
international support for Pakistan.

- The initial intent of the "friends" is to focus on
Pakistan's broad challenges. If security does emerge as an
issue for the "friends," we will press for NATO participation.

- We will keep the Private Office and, as appropriate, the

STATE 00100210 002.2 OF 002


North Atlantic Council informed of the activities of the
"friends."


6. (SBU) Begin Text: Dear Foreign Minister (insert
appropriate name): Pakistan has recently undergone a
successful democratic transition. Consolidating democracy is
an imperative and requires assisting Pakistan with its
national development agenda.

The new democratically elected Pakistani government faces
formidable challenges. The need to address these problems is
urgent. The UK, the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates would
like to galvanize international support for the Government of
Pakistan. One way to achieve this would be to set up a
Friends of Pakistan group.

The Group could be co-chaired by the Government of Pakistan
and one of its members. Initially, membership would be kept
to a small number of like-minded countries, plus the EU and
the UN. Other interested nations, organizations and
international financial institutions could be invited to
subsequent meetings.

The purpose of the Group would be to send a signal that the
civilian Government of Pakistan has wide support as it works
to address Pakistan's challenges. It might as an early step
consider a joint statement with Pakistan of goals and the
commitment to work on joint strategies to address challenges
of security and comprehensive development, including
education, energy shortfalls, and institution-building. The
Group, however, is not intended to be a donors' conference.

We have discussed the proposal to form such a Group with
President Zardari, who has welcomed the idea and agreed that
Pakistan should co-chair it. An inaugural meeting of the
Group's Foreign Ministers with President Zardari could be
held in the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York at
the end of September. The inaugural meeting could aim for a
joint statement of goals and commitments. As to timing, we
would like to propose Friday, 26 September, at 9:35 am, at
the UN Headquarters.

We should be grateful if you would let us know whether your
country would be willing to participate in the Friends of
Pakistan Group, and if you would be available to attend the
proposed meeting in New York next week. Signed, Condoleezza
Rice, David Miliband, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al
Nayhan. End Text of Invitation.
RICE