NATO SYG DISAPPOINTED ON FRIENDS OF PAKISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L USNATO 000339 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PK NATO SUBJECT: NATO SYG DISAPPOINTED ON FRIENDS OF PAKISTAN MEETING REF: SECSTATE 100210 Classified By: Charge Walter S. Reid for Reasons 1.4(b) & (d) ¶1. (U) Charge delivered points in paragraph 5 of reftel to the Secretary General's Private Office on the afternoon of Friday, September 19. The Private Office noted that the Friends of Pakistan meeting was one topic in the SYG's discussion with Assistant Secretary Boucher at NATO HQ on Wednesday, September 17. The SYG's staff promised to pass the points to the him in London, where the SYG is attending a NATO informal defense ministerial. ¶2. (C) The SYG's staff appreciated the quick formal response from his informal meeting with A/S Boucher, the Private Office opined, but would not welcome its content. The Private Office pointed out that SYG had firmly stated to A/S Boucher that NATO's participation in the meeting is imperative, especially if any other international organization would be attending. The Private Office believes that the SYG will reach out to senior USG officials to voice his opinion, if not early next week, then certainly in New York next week. REID