USUN MEETS WITH SPECIAL ENVOY TO PAKISTAN RIPERT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000010 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2020 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PREF EAID PK SUBJECT: USUN MEETS WITH SPECIAL ENVOY TO PAKISTAN RIPERT REF: USUN 001033 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Jean-Maurice Ripert, UN Special Envoy for Assistance, met with Ambassador DiCarlo on January 6 to discuss organization and next steps for the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) group, the UN's capacity and security constraints, and donor coordination. Ripert outlined his recommendation that the next ministerial-level FODP meeting be held in the end of June, following the release of the Energy Task Force report earlier that month. Ripert cautioned that the UN's capacity in Pakistan is low, as a result of the government's reluctance to work with the UN and due to the security situation. Ripert pleaded for fast disbursement of the USG contribution ($1 million),as the UN account for his office is dangerously low of funds. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) On January 6, Ambassador DiCarlo met with Jean-Maurice Ripert, the UN Special Envoy for Assistance to Pakistan. He opened the meeting with a plea for fast disbursement of the USG contribution ($1 million),as the UN account for his office is dangerously low of funds. (Note: While the full amount of the appeal to fund Ripert's office has been promised, disbursements have been slow to arrive. End note.) Ripert confirmed that the UN is currently conducting a search for his deputy who will focus full-time in Islamabad on Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) coordination activities. ¶3. (C) Following Jean Arnault's decision to resign as Special Advisor to the FODP, the Secretary General has assigned these duties to Ripert. Ripert explained that after the September 2009 FODP meeting in NY, the FODP group lost momentum; however, he believes this momentum is on the upswing following a decision by the major FODP members to meet monthly in Islamabad. These monthly meetings, which will be organized and recorded by the German Embassy, will not include Pakistani officials in an effort to have more open, candid discussions. Ripert outlined his recommendation that the next ministerial-level FODP meeting be held in the end of June, following the release of the Energy Task Force report earlier that month. The location of this meeting is still in flux - China has declined to host and South Korea is not enthusiastic - with Brussels as the most likely location. (Note: If the USG has a preference for the location of this meeting, we should make our suggestion known to Ripert. End note.) Ripert suggests that the FODP special envoys meet in April to prepare for the June meeting. ¶4. (SBU) On donor coordination, Ripert mentioned that the UN has started a donor mapping project. The Pakistan government remains unenthusiastic for the UN to coordinate donors, preferring to manage them bilaterally. Ripert reports that coordination with the World Bank remains challenging and that the Bank's multi-donor trust fund is still not fully functional. Ripert reported that the 2010 UN humanitarian appeal for Pakistan has been delayed, waiting for Pakistani government approval, but that approval is close at hand. Ripert has and will continue to travel to capitals of donor countries in an effort to shake lose Tokyo conference commitments. Ripert estimates that donors have pledged $5.7 billion, but that only $500 million has been obligated and less than $200 million disbursed. ¶5. (SBU) Ripert cautioned that the UN's capacity in Pakistan is low, as a result of the government's reluctance to work with the UN and due to the security situation. He offered that, "while Pakistan needs the UN,it resents the UN, especially since we do not bring money directly to the government." Ripert noted that the UN cannot always be the "bad guy" - others must push issues of rule of law and human rights. Security for UN local and international staff remains a primary concern for Ripert. He stated flatly that the 25 percent staffing cuts only protect those who are sent out of the country and do nothing to help those who remain in Pakistan. He identified the continued lack of a unified Pakistan security command for the protection of UN staff as a main impediment and asked for U.S. support in Islamabad on this issue. He also requested U.S. support to release 28 armored UN cars that remain stuck in transit, the lack of which decreases safe transportation available to UN staff. Ripert explained he is working with the UN security office to put in place close range protection for UN offices and residences. ¶6. (C) On politics, Ripert lamented the political "stalemate", calling President Zardari all but "locked in his palace." While Ripert expects that the President will not be indicted while he is in office, charges are possible in Switzerland or the United Kingdom. Ripert noted there is USUN NEW Y 00000010 002 OF 002 little desire to push the President out of office via unconstitutional means, but instead he may be "arm twisted" to resign. Ripert characterized the Pakistan reaction to the U.S. administration's December announcement regarding troop increases in Afghanistan as "mixed", causing nervousness among politicians and the general public and wondered aloud if the announcement may weaken the U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship. He emphasized that public resentment against the West is very strong, especially in regard to on-going drone attacks. ¶7. (U) ACTION REQUEST: Ripert noted that he will be in Abu Dhabi on January 11-12 for the SRAP meeting and requests a short meeting with Special Envoy Holbrooke to discuss FODP and coordination issues. RICE