QATAR'S PM ON PAKISTANI IDP CRISIS

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000404 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019 TAGS: PHUM PREF EAID PK QA SUBJECT: QATAR'S PM ON PAKISTANI IDP CRISIS REF: SECSTATE 55536 Classified By: Ambassaor Joseph LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) At a June 16 meeting with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, A A/S Jeffrey Feltman and Ambassador asked whether the GOQ had decided yet on the request by Special Representative Holbrooke for financial support to Pakistan to ease the internally displaced persons (IDP) crisis there, per reftel. ¶2. (C) In reply, the PM was forward leaning. He affirmed that Qatar would provide humanitarian assistance to help with Pakistan's humanitarian crisis. An announcement to that effect would be forthcoming. But he gave no date. ¶3. (C) He added that the assistance would be provided directly to those affected, not through official government Pakistani channels. He indicated that the assistance would be similar to the assistance programs Qatar already has underway in Pakistan, through Qatar Foundation's Reach Out To Asia. These programs focus on direct, concrete assistance in the form of heath and human services, including food and water supplies. LeBaron