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| Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09KARACHI111 | 2009-04-02 08:40:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Consulate Karachi |
Cable title:
BALOCHISTAN - NATIONALISTS SKEPTICAL ABOUT ZARDARI OFFER
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KARACHI 000111 |
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1. (C) On March 26, President Zardari visited Quetta to
propose a package of assistance and reconciliation measures to Baloch nationalists. The Balochis reacted skeptically, claiming that the GOP has formed committees before to address the province's problems, without success. The Baloch nationalist insist that the government give the province full control of its natural resources (primarily gas), halt army operations in Dera Bugti and account for alleged missing persons. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML) leaders told Post they were optimistic about Zardari's proposed aid package. Zardari Offers Olive Branch -------------------------- 2. (C) Several Baloch political groups reacted with skepticism to President Zardari's March 26 conciliatory offer to Baloch militants while he was visiting Quetta. Among his proposals, Zardari said the GOP planned to establish a parliamentary committee to formulate a plan for a more equitable distribution of the proceeds from the sale of Balochistan's natural resources and committed around $583 million for development projects. He also promised the GOP would assist Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), representing thousands who have fled conflict between Balochi militants and the Army, fund and train law enforcement officials and fast track dam projects in the province. Baloch Nationalists Skeptical -------------------------- 3. (C) Many Baloch leaders greeted his offer with skepticism. Balochistan National Party (BNP) ) Mengal Acting President Jahanzaib Jamaldini told Post on March 30 that similar GOP committees in the past had not effectively resolved the issues that concerned most nationalists. He said the GOP should demonstrate its sincerity this time by releasing political leaders from prison, accounting for alleged missing persons, and ending military operations in Dera Bugti. 4. (C) National Party (NP) General Secretary Tahir Bezenjo said that he saw no difference between Zardari's announcement and the unfulfilled promises of previous governments. He opined that the GOP had used its proposal to form another committee as a delaying tactic. Bezenjo claimed the real impetus behind the Baloch insurgency has been GOP unwillingness to halt army operations in Dera Bugti. He added that Zardari had not consulted with leaders of the three main opposition tribes, the Marris, Bugtis, and Mengals, to discuss their concerns, prior to making his announcement. 5. (C) Baloch National Front (BNF) Chair Ghulam Mohammad dismissed Zardari's efforts, saying that his party would accept nothing short of full Baloch control of the province's natural resources. He added that the problems in Balochistan could not be resolved by aid packages. (Note: The BNF is an umbrella organization for several smaller political entities: the Baloch National Movement (BNM), the Baloch Women's Panel, the Balochistan Bar Association, the Baloch Rights Council, the Baloch Republican Party (BRP), and the Marri Ittahad. End note.) PPP, PML Leaders Optimistic -------------------------- 6. (C) Pakistan People's Party (PPP) President Lashkari Raisani noted that Zardari's speech had brought the problems KARACHI 00000111 002 OF 002 in Balochistan to the forefront. He said his party is serious in its efforts to resolve the conflict in the province and pointed out that Zardari had invited all dissident Baloch groups to participate in a dialogue to address their grievances. Provincial Law Minister Rubina Irfani, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML), told Post that she viewed the move as a positive step forward towards resolving the Baloch insurgency. (Note: PPP is the lead party in the province's coalition government. End note.) Comment -------------------------- 7. (C) Baloch nationalists have made provincial autonomy and control over the province's natural resources the lynchpins of their movement. Over time, issues such as GOP military operations in Dera Bugti, alleged missing persons, and political prisoners have been added to their list of demands. The GOP has made unsuccessful peace overtures and formed committees to address the problem in the past (ref B, C, D). If the GOP has the resources and the political willpower to carry out its current plans, this could be a first step towards resolution of the conflict. RODRIGUEZ |