GICNT: RESPONSE TO PAKISTAN CONCERNS REGARDING

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 130144 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2019 TAGS: PARM PREL PTER KGIC US SUBJECT: GICNT: RESPONSE TO PAKISTAN CONCERNS REGARDING REVISION TO TERMS OF REFERENCE DOCUMENT REF: ISLAMABAD 2417 Classified By: ELIOT KANG, REASONS E.O. 13859, 1.4 b,d SUMMARY -------------- 1.(U) This is an action request. Please see paragraphs 3 and ¶4. 2.(C) Department requests Embassy to clarify and reassure appropriate senior officials within the Government of Pakistan that proposed revisions of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) original Terms of Reference (TOR) document do not in any way attempt to control the implementation of military nuclear facilities or activities and thus the understanding that Pakistan referenced in its 2007 letter of endorsement remains valid. The GICNT is a non-binding partnership that does not/not address military nuclear programs. For reference, background on the GICNT is found beginning at para 5 and Pakistan's letter of endorsement is reproduced at paragraph 9; it contains relevant understandings. End Summary. OBJECTIVES -------------- 3.(C/REL GRP) Department requests Embassy to pursue the following objectives: --Reassure appropriate senior officials within the Government of Pakistan that Pakistan,s understanding as stated in its 2007 letter of endorsement remains valid. The GICNT is a non-binding partnership that does not address military nuclear facilities or activities, and the proposed revisions to the Terms of Reference will have no effect on this issue. --Inform Disarmament Director that the United States and Russian Co-Chairs' goal in proposing revisions to the Terms of Reference document is to clarify the roles of partners and observers, and thereby strengthen and enhance Global Initiative implementation. The proposed revisions do not in any way change the original mission or scope of the GICNT, which is to enhance international capacities to deter, detect, prevent, and if necessary respond to an act of nuclear terrorism. --Encourage Pakistan to send policy and technical experts to the January 19 GICNT Exercise Planning Group in Budapest, Hungary, at which the co-chairs aim to discuss proposed revisions. REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- 4.(U) Embassy should report results of efforts by cable to ISN/WMDT before January 5. BACKGROUND -------------- 5.(U) Launched in July 2006, the mission of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) is to strengthen international cooperation and collaboration in building national and collective capacities to combat the growing threat of nuclear terrorism. Consistent with its commitment to prevent proliferation and combat the threat of nuclear terrorism, Pakistan endorsed the GICNT in 2007. Partners of the GICNT are committed to a set of principles which encompass a broad range of deterrence, prevention, detection, and response objectives. The GICNT is not involved in military nuclear programs, nor does it attempt to control the implementation of such programs. Through multilateral activities and exercises, partners share best practices and lessons learned, particularly with regional neighbors, in order to strengthen both individual and collective capabilities to combat the threat of nuclear terrorism. To date, over thirty multilateral activities and five senior-level GICNT meetings have been conducted, resulting in strengthened policies, enhanced information sharing techniques, and greater partner nation collaboration. There are 76 partners in the GICNT, as well as four observers: the IAEA, EU, INTERPOL, and UNODC. The USG wishes to continue to work with Pakistan as a partner nation within the GICNT to combat nuclear terrorism. ¶6. (U) President Obama called for the GICNT to become a "durable international institution" (Prague speech, April 2009). The U.S. and Russian Co-Chairs welcome strengthening the GICNT and are currently revising the Terms of Reference-a document which outlines the structure of the GICNT and describes the role of partners and observers-to enhance implementation of the Initiative. We expect the revised Terms of Reference (TOR) to include activating the Implementation and Assessment Group, which would serve as an advisory body for strategic and policy-related GICNT issues. Once agreed between the Co-Chairs, the proposed revised Terms of Reference will be provided to the partnership for review (anticipated delivery in late 2009). We expect the document to be discussed at the January 19, 2010 Exercise Planning Group Meeting in Budapest, Hungary. That meeting will serve as an opportunity for partners to provide input to shape the GICNT into a durable international institution. We strongly encourage Pakistan,s participation in this meeting. ¶7. (C) Per ISLAMABAD 2417, on October 6, Kamran Akhtar, Disarmament Director, was briefed on proposed enhanced implementation of the GICNT. He welcomed the updated schedule for the Exercise Planning Group, but cautioned that Pakistan will want to look carefully at any changes to the GICNT TOR. He asserted that Pakistan joined the Global Initiative only after receiving USG assurances that the GICNT exception for P-5 military nuclear facilities and activities would be extended to Pakistan. ¶8. (C) In the course of discussions between the United States and Pakistan in the run-up to Pakistan's endorsement of the GICNT in 2007, the United States reassured Pakistan that the GICNT did not cover any state,s military nuclear facilities or activities, and suggested language concerning this issue for Pakistan,s letter of endorsement. ¶9. (C) For reference, Pakistan,s letter of endorsement of the GICNT reads as follows: "7 June 2007. The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan presents its compliments to the U.S. Department of State and with reference to the telephone conversation between His Excellency Ambassador Mahmud Ali Durrani and Mr. John Rood, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Security on June 5, 2007 regarding Pakistan's endorsement of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism has the honor to state the following: 'Pakistan, while endorsing the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, reaffirms the voluntary commitments of the Statement of Principles and declares its understanding that the Global Initiative does not cover Pakistan,s military nuclear facilities or activities.' The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan avails itself of this opportunity to the esteemed U.S. Department of State the assurances of its highest consideration." The note verbale was addressed to Mr. Andrew Grant, Acting Director, Office of WMD Terrorism. POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶11. Department greatly appreciates Posts, assistance. Cables should be slugged to the Department for ISN/WMDT and SCA. E-mails regarding the GICNT may be sent to . CLINTON