BAHAMAS REACTION TO AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN STRATEGIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000235

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/A TOM REOTT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2019
TAGS: PREL AF NATO PK MARR MOPS BF
SUBJECT: BAHAMAS REACTION TO AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN STRATEGIC
REVIEW

REF: A. STATE 29482

B. 08 NASSAU 629

Classified By: Charge Zuniga-Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Embassy delivered the "White Paper of the Interagency
Policy Group's Report on U.S. Policy toward Afghanistan and
Pakistan" accompanied by reftel points to Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Under Secretary, International Division, Marilyn
Zonicle, April 1. Ms. Zonicle asked whether this represented
a "back door" change in policy toward Pakistan. She also
sought clarification on the USG approachto Al Qaeda as a
worldwide, dispersed and decentrlized organization. Reftel
points, focusing on te Al Qaeda threat from sanctuaries in
Afghanista and Pakistan, and suggesed the "White Paper"
aswered her questions in full.


2. (C) Ms. Zonice welcomed and expressed appreciation for
the shaing of information despite the GCOB's lack of
reources or capability to address the particular issues.
She said the spirit of partnership was an antidote to what
she termed the "danger of neglect" of the Caribbean
sub-region in U.S. policy.


3. (C/NF) COMMENT: Ms. Zonicle's interest was
uncharacteristic and somewhat surprising, given the MFA's
usually bland reactions to global U.S. concerns which do not
affect far more limited Bahamian priorities (reftel B).
ZUNIGA-BROWN