UAE: PAKISTAN IDP POINTS DELIVERED

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000559 FOR NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/03/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON ETRD CVIS AE SUBJECT: UAE: PAKISTAN IDP POINTS DELIVERED REF: STATE 55536 Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Ambassador discussed reftel points on Pakistani IDPs in a meeting with Assistant Foreign Minister, Dr. Tariq Al Haidan. Al Haidan agreed that that the situation in Pakistan was serious and warranted attention, but did not offer any commitments. He approved of progress in both Afghanistan and Iraq, but sought some clarification on USG thoughts on Afghan elections. End summary. -------------- PAKISTAN'S DISPLACED PERSONS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) June 3, Ambassador Olson discussed the Pakistani IDP situation with newly appointed Assistant Foreign Minister, Dr. Tariq Al Haidan. Al Haidan agreed that the situation in Pakistan was dire. He advised that the UAEG was already providing in-kind humanitarian assistance to IDPs through the Red Crescent. UAEG intelligence on the ground notes IDPs understandable anxiety over the conditions of their homes if they are able to return given the swiftness with which they were forced to flee in the first place. IDPs worry that the situation in Swat may extend as far as Lahore and Islamabad if the Government of Pakistan does not get a handle on the situation soon. Al Haidan, however, felt that the GOP had a good idea of what was going on in Swat. He was however concerned that Pakistan was failing to control the spread of militant radicalism. ¶3. (SBU) Al Haidan stressed that just because the UAE and others already provide assistance to Pakistan, "others" should not think that Pakistan no longer requires assistance. The UAEG "disagrees with Saudi Arabia" whose dislike for Zadari informs its lack of will to help Pakistan. He chuckled that Saudi Arabia was "embarrassed into donating" when the UAEG made its US$ 300 million donation to Pakistan. -------------- AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Among the positive developments since the new administration took over, Al Haidan noted "the new strategies in Afghanistan and Iraq are very positive" and that "we hope the people in Afghanistan will improve their outlook". He deemed the reconstruction efforts in both Afghanistan and Iraq "successful" and said "improved dialogue will pave the way for more". ¶5. (C) On the subject of elections in Afghanistan, Al Haidan wanted to know if the USG "fully supported Karzai" and whether the USG saw any alternatives to Karzai. He admitted that the Iranian Foreign Minister had publicly expressed satisfaction with Karzai and laid the blame for any problems in Afghanistan on "other foreigners". Al Haidan with some humor pointed out that the Iranian FM expressed the same thoughts about Maliki, suggesting that Maliki was doing a good job in the rebuilding of Iraq and that any problems there were due to "foreigners" too. Al Haidan expressed UAEG concerns that Iran had too much influence in Iraq. He pointed to the establishment of a UAEG diplomatic presence in Iraq as evidence of UAEG's interest in Iraq's development but admitted that corruption in Iraq hampered business relations. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: The UAE apparently will continue to provide in-kind assistance through the Red Crescent society, its preferred way of delivering humanitarian assistance. OLSON