SECRETARY RICE'S MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER

S E C R E T STATE 083178

SIPDIS
NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2018
TAGS: PK PREL PGOV PTER
SUBJECT: SECRETARY RICE'S MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER
GILANI

Classified By: SCA A/S Richard A. Boucher for reasons 1.4 (b) (d)

Summary


1. (SBU) Secretary Rice met with Pakistan's Prime Minister
Yousef Raza Gilani on June 28 during the Prime Minister's
first official visit to the United States. They had a frank
and positive discussion; both leaders committed to a broad,
long-term relationship. Secretary Rice urged immediate
action against terrorists in Pakistan. Prime Minister Gilani
expressed ownership in the war on terrorism and asked for
greater intelligence sharing. Secretary Rice was joined by:
Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte; Under Secretary of
State for Economics, Energy, and Business Affairs Reuben
Jeffery; Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central
Asia Richard Boucher; and U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne
Patterson. Prime Minister Gilani was joined by: Foreign
Minister Qureshi and Ambassador to the U.S. Husain Haqqani.

Counterterrorism: "It is our war"


2. (S/NF) Gilani claimed ownership for the war on terror and
asked for help to improve Pakistan's counterterrorism
capability. He said, "It is our own war, but we are fighting
a war for the world." He asked for better intelligence
sharing (referencing strikes the evening before, June 27),
training, and equipment so that Pakistan could hit terrorist
targets itself. He added that the militants have money,
sophisticated weapons, and training.

Long-term strategy, short-term problem


3. (S/NF) Gilani stated his belief that poverty is the root
cause of terrorism. Secretary Rice agreed on the need for a
broad strategy to eradicate terrorism in Pakistan, including
education, Reconstruction Opportunity Zones, and support for
democracy. However, she emphasized that Pakistan faces an
urgent terrorism problem that requires immediate action:
"There are people who have to be eliminated. These are not
people with whom you can make a deal. Somebody has to do it,
and now." The United States will help with the long-term
strategy, she said, but in the meantime, attacks are rising
and must be stopped. Gilani, cutting off his Foreign
Minister from giving a longer explanation, agreed: the
problem is now.

Secretary Rice calls for immediate action


4. (S/NF) Secretary Rice continued to press Gilani on the
urgent need for immediate action, cautioning him about the
risk of a future attack on the United States: "The situation
is critical and can't wait. Sooner or later there is going
to be a serious attack out of Tribal Areas. We don't have
time for the long term." Gilani agreed and promised to do
more. He will instruct Pakistan's Army Chief to begin
working immediately with his U.S. counterpart on a short-term
counterterrorism strategy.

Democracy takes time


5. (SBU) Secretary Rice assured Prime Minister Gilani of the
United States, long-term support, saying, "Democracy takes
time." Pakistan must take immediate action to address the
short-term threat, but the evolution into a thriving, modern
democracy requires a sustained commitment. The U.S. will
stand by Pakistan as a friend as it charts its democratic
course. Gilani thanked Secretary Rice for U.S. support and
the two pledged to continue working together toward their
common goals in Pakistan and the region.
RICE