Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PARTO40902
2009-04-09 20:31:00
SECRET
US Delegation, Secretary
Cable title:  

Secretary Clinton's March 31, 2009 Conversation

Tags:  OVIP PREL AF PK 
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DE RUCNAI #0002/01 0992031
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 092031Z APR 09
FM USDEL SECRETARY//EUROPE//
TO RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE IMMEDIATE
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL IMMEDIATE
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE
S E C R E T PARTO 040902 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/30/2019
TAGS: OVIP PREL AF PK
SUBJECT: Secretary Clinton's March 31, 2009 Conversation
with Pakistani FM Qureshi

Classified by: Kenneth H. Merten, Deputy Executive
Secretary, S/ES, Department of State. Reason 1.4.(b,d)

S E C R E T PARTO 040902

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/30/2019
TAGS: OVIP PREL AF PK
SUBJECT: Secretary Clinton's March 31, 2009 Conversation
with Pakistani FM Qureshi

Classified by: Kenneth H. Merten, Deputy Executive
Secretary, S/ES, Department of State. Reason 1.4.(b,d)


1. (U) March 31, 2009; 9:50 am; The Hague,
Netherlands.


2. (U) Participants:

U.S.
The Secretary
Deputy Secretary Lew
SRAP Holbrooke
A/S Boucher
Ms. Abedin, Dep. Chief of Staff to the Secretary
Mr. Sullivan, Dep. Chief of Staff to the Secretary
Mr. Falls (Embassy Notetaker)

OTHER COUNTRY
FM Qureshi
Lt. Gen. Pasha, DG of Inter Service Intelligence
Mr. Haroon, UN Permrep
Mr. Chaudry, Ambassador to the Netherlands
Mr. Shaukat, Secretary for Afghanistan and Economic
Coordination
Mr. Nasir Ali Khan, Ambassador at Large
Mr. Sahebzada Khan, DG of FM's Office


3. (U) SUMMARY. The Secretary and FM Qureshi reviewed
Afghanistan, U.S aid and bilateral relations,
counterterroism, and Pakistan's relations with India.
They agreed to focus on a "work list" to implement the
new strategy and to concentrate on better messaging. END
SUMMARY.

--------------
Afghanistan
--------------


4. (C) The Secretary and FM Qureshi met on the margins
of the March 31 Dutch-Afghan-UN conference on the
Afghanistan in The Hague ("International Conference on
Afghanistan: A Comprehensive Strategy in a Regional
Context"). She thanked Qureshi for his participation
and noted U.S. commitment to help the Pakistani people
and promote security.


5. (C) FM Qureshi responded that Pakistan is "by and
large in agreement" with the new U.S. policy on
Afghanistan and Pakistan -- there is a "great consonance
of views." The regional approach is the right one, and
U.S. efforts to use "smart power" are welcome. "You say
'holistic' approach, we say '3D.'" Pakistan will work
with the United States because "we are a smart and
responsible nation" and also because it is in our own
interest. There is now a greater consensus that we have
to fight terror. The message of the President has given
people hope.


--------------
U.S. Aid and Bilateral Relations
--------------


6. (C) The Secretary noted SRAP Holbrooke would
represent the United States at the April 17 Pakistan
conference in Tokyo. The United States wants to create
a transparent aid process, and the President has asked

for metrics to assess progress. The Secretary asked for
help over the next two weeks to create a "work plan."
The United States needs Pakistan's help to make the
"best case" at the Tokyo conference. The United States
can provide staff assistance if desired. The United
States would not be passing judgment on any plans, but
helping to promote it. We would like to translate
funding into "results," as we do in Afghanistan, for
example. Deputy Secretary Lew added that the U.S.
Congress needs project details before it will approved
funding. Other nations are also looking for details
from the GoP. Congress will ask us to show results.


7. (C) Qureshi noted the planned economic assistance,
including Reconstruction Opportunity Zones, was "very
welcome." In Islamabad, the GoP has shared needs with
local diplomats. Qureshi designated a key contact at
MFA to manage this issue. The MFA is planning a meeting
in Abu Dhabi on April 1 to prepare for the Pakistan
conference. Pakistan needed to work "9 to 5" on this.
At the same time, showing immediate results in Pakistan
will be different than in Afghanistan, because Pakistan
has "weak institutions" rather than "no institutions."
Nonetheless, we can show progress with approved
legislation, the delivery of goods, improved capacity,
and improvements in individual's daily lives. Qureshi
urged further discussions.


8. (C) Qureshi noted that the next step is to "improve
our messaging." U.S. statements and the aid package
have been a big help in improving the U.S. image in
Pakistan. A visit by the Secretary, perhaps ahead of
the Afghan elections, "would reassure people that we are
friends, partners." We also need to engage and
mobilize Pakistan's strong religious tradition against
terrorism. We need to "project the correct image of
Islam. Most Pakistanis are moderates, but we have not
done enough to tap into this. We need a planned media
campaign." He cited the need to build on Sufi
traditions of moderate Islam.


9. (C) The Secretary agreed "we have to work together to
present" our message in support of security, democracy
and prosperity for Pakistan. Pakistan can play a major
role in the world. She welcomed advice on what
motivates religious extremists and on how to isolate
them.


10. (C) On bilateral relations, Qureshi said there was


a "trust deficit" between the two countries. Both
sides should put any disagreements "on the table." The
most recent meetings in Washington were helpful, and
Qureshi is grateful the United States announced that
consultations are part of an ongoing process. The
Secretary responded that she wants to help close the
"trust deficit."


11. (C) Within Pakistan, Qureshi emphasized there is
not "complete agreement" between the military and the
government about what is good for Pakistan. Lt. Gen.
Pasha's participation in the meeting reflects this
"consonance of views." The Secretary responded that she
wants help close any gaps between Pakistan's military
and the GoP.

--------------
Counterterrorism
--------------


12. (S) General Pasha said that newspaper quotes from
Washington undercut trust and made it harder to work
together. Responding to SRAP Holbrooke, Lt. Gen. Pasha
reported that about 90 individuals had been wounded, and
8 killed in the attack on the police training center in
Lahore. Most of the suicide bombers could not be
identified from their remains. However, the GoP
captured a fourth individual fleeing the scene and has
identified him as an Afghan from Pachtia. Pasha will
share more details, when available, with Embassy
Islamabad.


13. (S) Qureshi noted the attacks are timed to GoP
international travel. Mumbai took place when he was
traveling. Pasha added that Pakistan is now more
focused on working with intelligence information and
promised action against the Taliban leaders in Quetta.
"We could do better if we share information ... good
chance we could nab someone" if we work together. Pasha
will visit his CIA counterpart and wants to renew
bilateral commitments to work together.

--------------
Relations with India
--------------



14. (S) Responding to the Secretary about the status of
the Mumbai prosecutions, Qureshi responded that "we
intend to make progress" and that the two governments
had recently exchanged additional information and
promised action against Taliban leaders in Quetta. SRAP
Holbrooke asked if the FM was meeting with Indian
Special Envoy Lambah, who is key. Qureshi said Lambah
sat with him during the Moscow conference on
Afghanistan.
CLINTON