PAKISTAN WELCOMES GICNT UPDATE, BUT CAUTIOUS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002417 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2019 TAGS: KNNP PREL PTER PGOV MNUC KGIC PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN WELCOMES GICNT UPDATE, BUT CAUTIOUS ON TOR CHANGES REF: STATE 83550 Classified By: Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b) (d) ¶1. (C) PolOff delivered reftel demarche updating partners on enhanced implementation of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) to Kamran Akhtar, Disarmament Director at Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on October 6. (Despite repeated attempts, PolOff was not able to make contact with a counterpart from the Russian Embassy in order to deliver a joint demarche.) Akhtar welcomed the updated schedule for the Exercise Planning Group, but cautioned that Pakistan will want to look carefully at any changes to the GICNT Terms of Reference (TOR). Akhtar stated that Pakistan had joined the Global Initiative only after receiving written USG assurances that the GICNT exception for P-5 nuclear weapons facilities would be extended to Pakistan. Akhtar said Pakistan has a strong interest in reviewing potential TOR changes, as well as proposals for enhanced implementation, as far in advance of the January meeting as possible. PATTERSON