Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10NEWDELHI291
2010-02-14 14:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY RAO ON 2/13 PUNE BOMBING
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C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 000291
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2020
TAGS: PREL PTER PK IN
SUBJECT: INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY RAO ON 2/13 PUNE BOMBING
AND INDO-PAKISTAN TALKS
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Uzra Zeya. Reasons: 1.4
(B, D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 000291
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2020
TAGS: PREL PTER PK IN
SUBJECT: INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY RAO ON 2/13 PUNE BOMBING
AND INDO-PAKISTAN TALKS
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Uzra Zeya. Reasons: 1.4
(B, D).
1. (C) In a February 14 telephone conversation with Foreign
Secretary Rao, Ambassador Roemer expressed his condolences
for the February 13 terrorist bombing in Pune and offered USG
assistance as appropriate. Rao thanked the Ambassador and
condemned the attacks as "typical senseless violence" by
terrorists. Turning to India's proposal for talks between
the Foreign Secretary and her Pakistani counterpart now set
for February 25, Rao said she hoped talks would begin on that
date. Recognizing the importance of the dialogue, she
thanked the Ambassador for the USG's strong support for
Indo-Pakistan talks and his offer of any assistance needed to
see them move forward. Acknowledging that "a week in
India/Pakistan politics was an eternity," Rao said that
nothing could be completely counted on and flagged rumblings
from the opposition BJP against the talks. The Ambassador
stressed that the terrorists' aim was to disrupt discussions
and increase the level of tensions. Rao echoed External
Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna's observation that terrorists
were "the dark forces of evil" who aim to control the
process. The Ambassador underlined USG offers of support and
said this incident illustrated the need for India and the
United States to work together closely on counterterrorism
issues.
2. (C) Comment: The PM's move to reengage Pakistan was
always going to be risky and controversial; the reaction to
the Pune bombing only underlines the fragility of the talks.
However, so far, at least, there is no sign from the GOI
that it is backing away from its plans. The GOI public
approach has been measured, avoided speculation on possible
perpetrators, and has not pointed fingers at Pakistan. While
FS Rao is right to point out that much can happen between now
and February 25, the GOI's interest in preventing terrorists
from exercising a veto over the talks should be strong enough
to let them go forward, a point we will continue to make in
further high-level engagement with GOI leaders.
ROEMER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2020
TAGS: PREL PTER PK IN
SUBJECT: INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY RAO ON 2/13 PUNE BOMBING
AND INDO-PAKISTAN TALKS
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Uzra Zeya. Reasons: 1.4
(B, D).
1. (C) In a February 14 telephone conversation with Foreign
Secretary Rao, Ambassador Roemer expressed his condolences
for the February 13 terrorist bombing in Pune and offered USG
assistance as appropriate. Rao thanked the Ambassador and
condemned the attacks as "typical senseless violence" by
terrorists. Turning to India's proposal for talks between
the Foreign Secretary and her Pakistani counterpart now set
for February 25, Rao said she hoped talks would begin on that
date. Recognizing the importance of the dialogue, she
thanked the Ambassador for the USG's strong support for
Indo-Pakistan talks and his offer of any assistance needed to
see them move forward. Acknowledging that "a week in
India/Pakistan politics was an eternity," Rao said that
nothing could be completely counted on and flagged rumblings
from the opposition BJP against the talks. The Ambassador
stressed that the terrorists' aim was to disrupt discussions
and increase the level of tensions. Rao echoed External
Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna's observation that terrorists
were "the dark forces of evil" who aim to control the
process. The Ambassador underlined USG offers of support and
said this incident illustrated the need for India and the
United States to work together closely on counterterrorism
issues.
2. (C) Comment: The PM's move to reengage Pakistan was
always going to be risky and controversial; the reaction to
the Pune bombing only underlines the fragility of the talks.
However, so far, at least, there is no sign from the GOI
that it is backing away from its plans. The GOI public
approach has been measured, avoided speculation on possible
perpetrators, and has not pointed fingers at Pakistan. While
FS Rao is right to point out that much can happen between now
and February 25, the GOI's interest in preventing terrorists
from exercising a veto over the talks should be strong enough
to let them go forward, a point we will continue to make in
further high-level engagement with GOI leaders.
ROEMER