Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ISLAMABAD1809
2009-08-05 11:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR FOR PAKISTAN:
how-toVZCZCXRO5111 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #1809 2171134 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 051134Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4189 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0713 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1056 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 5315 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 2078 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 7682 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 6650 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 4111 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 9906
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 001809
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2019
TAGS: PREL AORC PREF EAID PGOV UN PK
SUBJECT: HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR FOR PAKISTAN:
MOVING FORWARD
Classified By: Gerald M. Feierstein, for reasons 1.4 (b)(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 001809
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2019
TAGS: PREL AORC PREF EAID PGOV UN PK
SUBJECT: HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR FOR PAKISTAN:
MOVING FORWARD
Classified By: Gerald M. Feierstein, for reasons 1.4 (b)(d)
1. (C) In a July 22 meeting between Ambassador Holbrooke
and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan Foreign
Secretary Salman Bashir indicated unequivocally that his
government would support the appointment of a high-level UN
humanitarian assistance coordinator for Pakistan. His
agreement came amidst discussion of the breadth of the
humanitarian recovery and development challenges and the
large number of UN agencies in the mix. Ambassador Holbrooke
made clear that our expectation was that the coordinator's
mandate would include humanitarian aid, recovery and
reconstruction and coordination of UN agencies and offices
that would include UNHCR, OCHA, WFP and UNDP, among others.
Presumably, the coordinator could also liaise with other
international organizations engaged in development (such as
the World Bank which, in at least one case, had seconded a
staff member to a similar UN coordination operation).
2. (C) In an earlier meeting the same day with UNHCR
Representative Guenet Guebre-Christos, PRM Assistant
Secretary Schwartz discussed the issue of donor coordination.
The UNHCR Representative and her colleagues, who appeared
unaware of the NY-Islamabad-Washington discussions of a
humanitarian coordinator, bemoaned the lack of donor
coordination and integration in international assistance
efforts. When Schwartz asked whether a high-level
coordinator -- over all the UN agencies -- would be a good
idea, the UNHCR representative said, "Absolutely." She was
emphatic, and her staff agreed.
3. (C) A/S Schwartz conveyed this information to USUN Deputy
Representative Alex Wolff, who indicated he would follow up
with appropriate member governments and the UN Secretariat.
4. (U) A/S Schwartz has cleared this cable.
FEIERSTEIN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/2019
TAGS: PREL AORC PREF EAID PGOV UN PK
SUBJECT: HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR FOR PAKISTAN:
MOVING FORWARD
Classified By: Gerald M. Feierstein, for reasons 1.4 (b)(d)
1. (C) In a July 22 meeting between Ambassador Holbrooke
and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan Foreign
Secretary Salman Bashir indicated unequivocally that his
government would support the appointment of a high-level UN
humanitarian assistance coordinator for Pakistan. His
agreement came amidst discussion of the breadth of the
humanitarian recovery and development challenges and the
large number of UN agencies in the mix. Ambassador Holbrooke
made clear that our expectation was that the coordinator's
mandate would include humanitarian aid, recovery and
reconstruction and coordination of UN agencies and offices
that would include UNHCR, OCHA, WFP and UNDP, among others.
Presumably, the coordinator could also liaise with other
international organizations engaged in development (such as
the World Bank which, in at least one case, had seconded a
staff member to a similar UN coordination operation).
2. (C) In an earlier meeting the same day with UNHCR
Representative Guenet Guebre-Christos, PRM Assistant
Secretary Schwartz discussed the issue of donor coordination.
The UNHCR Representative and her colleagues, who appeared
unaware of the NY-Islamabad-Washington discussions of a
humanitarian coordinator, bemoaned the lack of donor
coordination and integration in international assistance
efforts. When Schwartz asked whether a high-level
coordinator -- over all the UN agencies -- would be a good
idea, the UNHCR representative said, "Absolutely." She was
emphatic, and her staff agreed.
3. (C) A/S Schwartz conveyed this information to USUN Deputy
Representative Alex Wolff, who indicated he would follow up
with appropriate member governments and the UN Secretariat.
4. (U) A/S Schwartz has cleared this cable.
FEIERSTEIN