VZCZCXRO6060
OO RUEHDT RUEHPB RUEHPW
DE RUEHBY #0185/01 0560747
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 250747Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9067
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE IMMEDIATE 5011
RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH IMMEDIATE 3294
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY IMMEDIATE 3195
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI IMMEDIATE 1151
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA IMMEDIATE 0274
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 0759
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0585

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 08 CANBERRA 000185 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2018 
TAGS: OVIP GATES ROBERT OVIP NEGROPONTE JOHN MOPS
MARR, KNNP, AS 
SUBJECT: AUSMIN 2008: SESSION II (DPRK, INDIA, CHINA, 
AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN) 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Robert D. McCallum, Jr., for reasons 1.4 (b), 
(d). 
 
¶1. (U) February 23, 2008; Parliament House, Canberra, 
Australia. 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
¶2. (C/RL AUS) U.S. and Australian officials dedicated the 
second session of the 2008 AUSMIN conference to a 
consideration of regional security issues throughout Asia. 
They agreed to coordinate in managing the strategic 
challenges of a rising China, keep the temperature down on 
Taiwan, and to continue efforts to transform China into a 
responsible stakeholder in the international system.  The 
Australian side indicated a strong commitment to remain in 
Afghanistan for the long term for military operations, and 
said it would soon announce a new package of assistance to 
improve civilian capacity there.  Australian FM Smith 
requested a role for Australia in any regional security 
architecture that emerges from the Six Party Talks, which he 
said Australia would continue to support.  Smith also said 
Australia would not decide on whether to support a Nuclear 
Suppliers Group deal to allow nuclear cooperation with India 
until it emerges whether the Indian government will approve 
its deal with the U.S.  Both sides expressed serious concern 
about the threats and challenges in Pakistan, particular 
about the Pakistani government's capability to counter the 
insurgency in the Fata region.  End Summary. 
 
¶3. (U) Participants: 
 
UNITED STATES 
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates 
 
SIPDIS 
Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte 
Ambassador Robert D. McCallum, Jr. 
Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 
Admiral Timothy J. Keating, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command 
Acting Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs 
Stephen Mull 
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian & Pacific Security 
Affairs James Shinn 
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian & Pacific 
Affairs Glyn Davies 
Tim Davis, Carol Hanlon, Aleisha Woodward, John Crowley, 
Jessica Powers (Notetakers) 
 
AUSTRALIA 
Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith 
Minister for Defence Joel Fitzgibbon 
Michael L,Estrange, Secretary of the Department of Foreign 
Affairs and Trade 
Nick Warner, Secretary of the Department of Defence 
Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston, Chief of the Defence Force 
Duncan Lewis, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Prime 
Minister and Cabinet 
Peter Varghese, Director General of the Office of National 
Assessments 
Dennis Richardson, Australian Ambassador to the United States 
Berenice Owen-Jones, Alistair McEachern, Alanna Mackay, 
Antony Horrocks, Marina Tsirbas, Amanda Pickrell, John 
Feakes, Peter West (notetakers). 
 
CHINA 
----- 
 
¶4. (C/REL AUS) FM Smith endorsed Secretary Gates' opening 
remarks on the importance of managing the rise of China.  He 
Qremarks on the importance of managing the rise of China.  He 
noted that the Chinese are seeking to transform their 
relationship with Australia into a "strategic partnership," 
and that this process would not undermine the bilateral 
Australian-US alliance. He stressed that the Australians are 
 
CANBERRA 00000185  002 OF 008 
 
 
not starry-eyed about China, and reported that recent 
bilateral meetings with the Chinese fell short of "free 
flowing discussions", with the Chinese taking formulaic 
positions on issues such as human rights.  He said the 
Australian side had raised the issue of transparency in 
China's military modernization, and that the Australians had 
encouraged the Chinese to respond to these concerns that had 
been raised by the U.S.  FM Smith noted that managing the 
relationship with China was likely to remain the biggest 
foreign policy challenge for the balance of this century.  He 
suggested that the concurrent rise of India may create some 
competition with the Chinese, though he noted that the Indian 
Prime Minister's recent visit to China had apparently gone 
smoothly.  He also observed that Taiwan's referendum to enter 
the United Nations under the name of Taiwan was not helpful, 
and that the Australians would adhere to their long-standing 
One China policy.  He said it would be an important goal of 
Australia's to "reduce the temperature" on Taiwan where 
possible. 
 
¶5. (C/REL AUS) FM Smith said that the Chinese government's 
strategy appeared to be one of expanding economic benefits 
for their people while remaining a one-party state, 
suggesting that the Chinese government had only limited 
respect for intellectual property rights, human rights, and 
the rule of law. He noted that few countries had successfully 
made the transition to a free market economy while 
maintaining a command and control political regime, 
suggesting that economic prosperity would inevitably lead to 
freedom of thought. 
 
¶6. (C/REL AUS) Ambassador Negroponte said that the Chinese 
continue to browbeat the U.S. over Taiwan, and that it was 
difficult to tell how much is posturing and how much is 
genuine concern.  In his recent conversations with Chinese 
officials, Beijing appeared to be worried that President Chen 
Shui-bian will pull off some action in the direction of 
independence in the waning days of his Administration that 
will force the Chinese to react.  There may be different 
views on this within the Chinese government, he noted. In his 
meeting with Premier Wen Jia-bao recently, the Premier had 
implied that once Chen was gone, Beijing could relax. Yet 
other officials stressed the need for continued vigilance of 
the Taiwan situation, and that the Chinese meanwhile continue 
to build up their military capability across the Straits. 
 
¶7. (C/REL AUS) FM Smith noted that the Japanese are sensitive 
to Australia's engagement with China under the new 
government, and they were aware of PM Rudd's personal 
experience and links with China.  He expressed a desire to 
continue with current trilateral dialogue between Australia, 
Qcontinue with current trilateral dialogue between Australia, 
Japan, and the United States, with the US playing a middle 
role. In the meantime, he said, Australia's bilateral 
relationship with the Japanese is moving forward. 
 
¶8. (C/REL AUS) DM Fitzgibbon said that Canberra would assess 
China's military modernization in the forthcoming Defense 
White Paper.  He looked forward to inputs from the U.S. in 
that process.  Both sides agreed to begin a regular dialogue 
on China's military modernization. 
 
¶9. (C/REL AUS) CDF Houston agreed that China remained a key 
dynamic factor in the region, observing from a visit last 
year that the Indians increasingly view China as a threat. 
He said the Indians were moving to increasingly high-end 
weapons systems, with a particular focus on air capability. 
 
¶10. (C/REL AUS) Ambassador Richardson noted the impressive 
improvement in the quality and size of China's diplomatic 
efforts in Asia. He said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
was active throughout the region, engaging with 
sophistication and what appeared to be a sustained strategic 
 
CANBERRA 00000185  003 OF 008 
 
 
intent.  This is true in the Pacific island region, where 
analysts earlier had dismissed Chinese diplomatic efforts as 
a simple counter-balance to Taiwan's "checkbook" diplomacy in 
the region.  China's intent is in fact much more strategic, 
he said. 
 
¶11. (C/REL AUS) ONA Director Varghese echoed previous 
comments that relations with China remain a large challenge 
for Australia. He suggested the view that the Chinese are 
broadly satisfied with the status quo in Asia, although their 
strategic intentions may be evolving. The litmus test for 
their strategic intent will be attempts to displace or 
replace the United States in the region. Turning to Chinese 
domestic politics, he observed that China's new middle class 
now had a large economic stake in political stability, an 
interest that could attenuate their interests in political 
reform. 
 
¶12. (C/REL AUS) Ambassador Richardson said that the Chinese 
may be "over-reading the tea leaves" on the U.S. presidential 
election and the foreign policies of the next U.S. 
Administration.  He also cautioned that the Chinese may 
misinterpret Australian efforts to enhance the bilateral 
relationship between Beijing and Canberra, and that the 
Australian government has therefore been careful to stress to 
the Chinese the centrality of the bilateral US-Australian 
Alliance. 
 
¶13. (C/REL AUS) Ambassador Negroponte described Chinese 
economic growth as spectacular, suggesting it was likely to 
continue. He recalled that Hu Jintao had explained to 
President Bush that he needed to create 25 million jobs 
annually, and that rapid economic growth was the precondition 
for this. DS Negroponte said he believed the Chinese aspire 
to be a great power, and are patient in pursuing that goal. 
Ambassador Negroponte noted that smooth execution of the 
Summer Olympics is a top priority for Beijing, as it will 
provide them with enhanced domestic legitimacy and 
international prestige.  He recalled Chinese concerns about 
the Olympics being "politicized" by human rights or Tibetan 
activists. 
 
¶14. (C/REL AUS) Ambassador Negroponte observed that China is 
sometimes a popular political scapegoat in the US political 
system, and that the Chinese sometimes bring this on 
themselves through problems such as health and safety. 
Secretary Gates added that zealous advocates of these problem 
 
SIPDIS 
areas in the United States may derail constructive engagement 
if carried too far. He noted that the Chinese exhibit 
patience, perspective, and the ability to develop 
relationships over the long term.  Secretary Gates stated 
that U.S. engagement in the Pacific is a determining factor 
in China's evolving role in Asia.  Strong relationships with 
Japan, India, and Australia and a continued naval presence in 
QJapan, India, and Australia and a continued naval presence in 
the region will shape Beijing's behavior.  A U.S. pullback 
from the region would be destabilizing over the long term. 
He pointed out that many countries in the region tend to 
trust the U.S. more than they trust each other. FM Smith 
added that PM Rudd had made this point, of the importance of 
sustaining an active US presence in the region, in his 
remarks at the Brookings Institution last year. 
 
¶15. (C/REL AUS) Secretary Gates described his visit to China 
last fall and some of his discussions with the Chinese 
military and civil leaders. This included the importance of 
engaging in a serious strategic dialogue on military 
questions, in order to clarify Chinese threat perceptions and 
their views on the role and possible use of nuclear weapons - 
a dialogue that had been agreed upon by Presidents Hu and 
Bush in their April 2006 summit. Secretary Gates recalled the 
value of similar strategic discussions with the Soviets 
during the Cold War, which - though slow and painful - had 
 
CANBERRA 00000185  004 OF 008 
 
 
helped to avoid some serious misunderstandings and 
miscalculations on both sides. The Secretary cautioned that 
similar engagement and dialogue with the Chinese will require 
time and patience. He noted that some small progress had been 
made, with the Chinese dispatching an officer from the PLA 
Second Artillery to the Defense Consultative Talks in 
November 2007, and with the prospective installation of a 
direct telephone link between the two militaries. 
 
¶16. (C/REL AUS) Ambassador Negroponte also mentioned his 
discussions with the Chinese on Iran, in which he noted that 
the Chinese would find themselves with serious energy 
security problems on their hands should the Iranian problem 
destabilize the Gulf. He said that attuning Chinese 
leadership to broader strategic interests beyond their 
immediate economic interests required work and patience, but 
that the Chinese are eager to listen.  It is therefore 
important to keep China engaged through strategic dialogue. 
FM Smith concurred with the importance of this dialogue with 
the Chinese and indicated Canberra's desire to support this 
dialogue. 
 
¶17. (C/REL AUS) On the topic of Chinese long term ambitions, 
PACOM Admiral Keating noted the crucial importance of 
learning about Chinese intent as well as military capability, 
suggesting we know far more about the latter than the former. 
He then raised an anecdote in a discussion with a PLAN 
officer, who had suggested during one of Admiral Keating's' 
two visits to China, that in the long run the U.S. should 
take care of the Eastern Pacific and the Chinese would take 
care of the Western Pacific.  Admiral Keating noted that the 
Chinese officer in question did not appear to be joking, 
citing this as further evidence for the proposition that 
Beijing has long term ambitions and the patience to execute 
over time.  He suggested that his Chinese interlocutors had 
apparently "connected the dots" from observing the MALABAR 
exercise involving the US, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and 
Australia that they were being "militarily surrounded."  He 
proposed that they could only be disabused of these 
inferences by more transparency, including involving them 
more deeply as observers in such exercises, though this was 
not without some risk of excessive disclosure. 
 
¶18. (C/REL AUS) CDF Houston on this topic explained that the 
Australians are extremely careful to preserve reciprocity and 
symmetry in their military interactions with the Chinese, 
whereas the Americans appeared to be moving away from that 
practice.  CJCS Admiral Mullen responded that he had obtained 
some breakthroughs in Chinese transparency during his visit 
to China by virtue of tough negotiations up front on 
reciprocity.  He cited two examples: some unprecedented 
Qreciprocity.  He cited two examples: some unprecedented 
exposure to Chinese Navy vessels, and a personal 
communication by Chinese PLAN Admiral Wu Sheng-li that the 
Chinese had incorrectly handled the Kitty Hawk port denial 
incident. 
 
¶19.   (C/REL AUS) Admirals Keating and Mullen discussed the 
role of military personnel exchange with the PLA.  Admiral 
Keating briefly noted the program of NCO to NCO exchanges. 
Secretary Gates agreed that the exchange of officers and 
 
SIPDIS 
NCO's at various levels was a worthwhile long term 
investment. 
 
¶20.   (C/REL AUS) Ambassador Negroponte closed the China 
discussion by recapping the notion of pressing China to be a 
"responsible stakeholder", a notion originally developed by 
the DepSec's predecessor in his strategic dialogue with the 
Chinese.  Ambassador Negroponte recalled that in his recent 
discussions with Chinese VFM Dai Bingguo, the Chinese seemed 
to taking hold of this idea to some degree. 
 
NORTH KOREA 
 
CANBERRA 00000185  005 OF 008 
 
 
----------- 
 
¶21. (S/REL AUS)  Ambassador Negroponte briefed on progress on 
the Six-Party-Talks (6PT) efforts to end North Korea's 
nuclear program.  While North Korea had begun to dismantle 
its nuclear infrastructure, he noted, it continues to delay 
meeting its obligation to issue a complete declaration of its 
nuclear program and holdings.  It remains unclear whether the 
North Korean regime had sincerely decided to end its nuclear 
program, or whether it is simply delaying the process while 
waiting for a new U.S. administration to take power, he 
added.  In any case, the U.S. government puts more value on 
the substance of denuclearization than on meeting particular 
deadlines.  China's involvement in the process had been 
critical thus far, he said, citing its unprecedented decision 
to join UN Security Council consensus in condemning North 
Korea's nuclear weapons test in 2006.  Changing North Korea's 
behavior would continue to require active multilateral 
engagement, he said.  During her travel to Seoul, Beijing and 
Tokyo during the week of February 24, Secretary Rice would 
focus on moving the process forward. 
 
¶22. (S/REL AUS)  Secretary Gates added that it is possible 
that North Korea will never surrender its nuclear weapons, 
and that probably no one knows the direction of North Korean 
nuclear policy aside from Kim Jong-il.  But in contrast to 
past efforts to engage North Korea, the current 6PT process 
features immediate feedback mechanisms that link concessions 
to North Korea to its specific progress on denuclearization. 
North Korea had never participated in such a process 
previously, he noted.  Though it may not intend to surrender 
its weapons now, it might be possible through the 
step-by-step approach to lead it down a path that ends in 
that result. 
 
¶23. (C/REL AUS)  FM Smith expressed Australia's strong 
support for the 6PT process, and said that it would be 
prepared to release a significant package of humanitarian 
assistance to North Korea at an appropriate point.  But he 
noted Australia's strong interest in participating in any 
regional security structure that might emerge from the 
process.  While there is no longer a North Korean Embassy in 
Canberra, Australia maintained diplomatic contacts with the 
DPRK and would be prepared to use them to help advance the 
U.S. and Australia's mutual interests.  Both U.S. and 
Australian officials welcomed the election of President Lee 
as a constructive step forward in coordinating pressure on 
the North Koreans, but Secretary L'Estrange noted that there 
might be a risk that Lee's harder line might provoke greater 
North Korean intransigence. 
 
INDIA 
----- 
 
¶24. (C/REL AUS)  Both sides acknowledged India's increasing 
Q24. (C/REL AUS)  Both sides acknowledged India's increasing 
importance in Asian security, and stressed they would 
continue efforts to enhance strategic and military 
cooperation with the country.  Secretary Gates noted that the 
U.S. had recently completed a robust military exercise with 
the Indians, and that the U.S. is increasing its military 
exchanges.  The U.S. is also enhancing its defense trade, 
with plans to sell six C-130J aircraft, and for American 
companies to participate in India's competition for a 
multi-role combat aircraft.  Such sales would end India's 
previous heavy reliance on Russia as an arms supplier, he 
said. 
 
¶25. (S/REL AUS)  Ambassador Negroponte said the U.S. hopes 
the Indian government would soon complete the process of 
ratifying its civil nuclear cooperation, and then conclude 
agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 
and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).  He acknowledged the 
 
CANBERRA 00000185  006 OF 008 
 
 
new Australian government's concern about selling uranium to 
a non-signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 
(NPT), but expressed hope that the U.S. and Australia could 
find common ground on the issue.  FM Smith responded that 
Australia recognizes the strategic importance of the civil 
nuclear cooperation agreement for both the U.S. and India. 
But he said his government would encounter political 
difficulties if it allowed IAEA and NSG deals to go forward 
with India in spite of the Australian Labor Party's 
longstanding opposition to nuclear cooperation with non-NPT 
signatories.  In any case, he noted it is unclear whether the 
Indian government would formally ratify its agreement with 
the U.S.  The GOA would therefore wait to formulate a 
position until the Indian government formally ratifies the 
cooperation deal with the U.S. and takes the issue to the 
IAEA and NSG.  DM Fitzgibbon added that both he and Smith are 
personally supportive of such enhanced cooperation with 
India, but that to succeed, they would need to approach the 
political aspects of the issue sensitively. 
 
AFGHANISTAN 
----------- 
 
¶26. (C/REL AUS) FM Smith asserted that the GOA continues to 
regard Afghanistan as an important national interest, and 
that Australia is solid in its commitment to continued 
participation in the military mission there.  Moreover, it 
would soon announce a significant package of new assistance 
aimed at building Afghanistan's civilian capacity.  But like 
the U.S., he said Australia remains disappointed at the 
uneven participation of the Europeans in military operations. 
 DM Fitzgibbon, expressing appreciation for U.S. support for 
Australia's greater access to NATO planning efforts, said he 
hopes to work closely with the U.S. at the NATO summit in 
Bucharest  to secure a stronger European commitment to 
military operations in Afghanistan.  While he agreed with 
Smith that Australian support for the Afghanistan operation 
remains strong, he noted the importance of boosting NATO's 
participation to achieving measurable progress on the ground 
and to maintaining public support in Australia. 
 
¶27. (C/REL AUS)  Secretary Gates echoed Fitzgibbon's concerns 
about Europe's spotty contribution to the NATO effort. 
Failure in the Afghanistan mission would have serious 
implications for the future of the alliance, he said.  It 
would also threaten European security, he said, noting that 
he had pointed out in his speech at the Wehrkunde conference 
in February that recent terrorist attacks in Europe had 
emanated from either Afghanistan or Pakistan.  For now, he 
said NATO forces had succeeded in clearing areas of Taliban 
operations, but have insufficient assets to hold such areas 
Qoperations, but have insufficient assets to hold such areas 
and build on them.  That will require greater NATO support 
for building the capacity of Afghan security forces, and 
while there has been significant progress in this area, NATO 
must intensify its provision of training and equipment to 
them.  He noted that narcotics trafficking and corruption 
remains a serious challenge in securing the country.  He 
agreed with FM Smith on the importance of accelerating the 
appointment of a UN Representative following the collapse of 
efforts to appoint Paddy Ashdown, and said that the State 
Department is working with the UN to appoint someone 
acceptable to President Karzai. 
 
¶28. (C/REL AUS)  FM Smith expressed strong gratitude to the 
U.S. for its temporary housing of the Australian Embassy at 
the U.S. Embassy in Kabul following the recent attack on the 
Serena Hotel, where the Australian Embassy had previously 
been located.  He noted that there are continuing reports of 
a serious terrorist threat to Australian diplomatic 
operations in Kabul, and that the U.S. compound is the safest 
place for Australian diplomats to live and work while they 
plan the construction of their own stand-alone compound. 
 
CANBERRA 00000185  007 OF 008 
 
 
 
PAKISTAN 
-------- 
 
¶29. (C/REL AUS)  FM Smith noted Australia's serious concern 
about the situation in Pakistan, which he described as 
inextricably related to the threats emanating from 
Afghanistan.  While the recent elections had been 
surprisingly calm, he said there will be a significant 
challenge in persuading Musharraf and the opposition parties 
to work together against the extremist threat.  Supporting 
Pakistan's continued democratic development would remain an 
important Australian goal, he said. 
 
¶30. (C/REL AUS)  Secretary Gates and Ambassador Negroponte 
agreed with Smith's assessment, and noted a number of 
additional concerns, including: 
 
--The likelihood it will take longer than expected for the 
opposition parties to work out a deal to form a government. 
Ambassador Negroponte said Nawaz Sharif's Pakistani Muslim 
League (PML-Q) and Asif Zadari's Pakistan People's Party 
(PPP) are likely aiming for a sufficient majority to 
reinstate the Supreme Court and/or impeach Musharraf.  As any 
weakening of the Pakistani presidency would be a setback for 
stability in the country, he noted that the U.S. is 
encouraging both parties to engage with Musharraf. 
 
--The risk that the new Pakistani government will be more 
interested in negotiating with insurgents than in fighting 
them.  Secretary Gates noted that a further complication is 
that the Pakistani military is more organized to counter 
India than to conduct counter-insurgency operations, and that 
until recently, senior military leaders tended to regard the 
Federal Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) as more of a 
nuisance than a serious security challenge.  New Pakistani 
army chief General Kiyani seems serious about confronting the 
insurgency, but it remains unclear whether he will have 
sufficient political support to do so, he said.  An 
additional challenge, he noted, is that many military 
commanders remain either sympathetic or indifferent to the 
insurgents.  Admiral Mullen added that the deaths of more 
than 600 Pakistanis at the hands of extremists in the 
previous six months had helped focus the military on the 
serious security threat in the FATA, and that General Kiyani 
is approaching the challenge with a sense of urgency.  But he 
also noted that the Pakistani army is suffering from serious 
fatigue. 
 
--Insufficient attention to developing the FATA.  Ambassador 
Negroponte expressed concern that Musharraf's 2006 deal to 
empower local FATA tribal leaders in exchange for a military 
disengagement had resulted in serious neglect of the region's 
development needs.  He encouraged the Australian government 
to work with the U.S. in focusing the Pakistani government on 
the need to devote greater efforts to developing the FATA, 
Qthe need to devote greater efforts to developing the FATA, 
and asked whether the Australian government could also devote 
more assistance in this direction. 
 
¶31. (S/REL AUS) Both U.S. and Australian officials 
underscored the continuing need for assistance to Pakistani 
security forces, highlighting the significantly higher 
financial benefits insurgents pay their personnel.  For 
example, insurgents collect 10,000 rupees a month and have 
the use of a vehicle, while members of Pakistan's frontier 
corps receive only 4,000 rupiahs.  Admiral Mullen noted that 
the Pakistani armed forces remain eager for U.S. military 
support, but that their sensitivity to any appearance that 
they are surrogates for U.S interests requires great 
discretion in providing assistance.  DM Fitzgibbon reported 
that the Pakistanis had reported recently that one of their 
most important assistance priorities is training and 
 
CANBERRA 00000185  008 OF 008 
 
 
equipment (such as night vision capability) to secure their 
border with Afghanistan.  On the broader issue of securing 
Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, Admiral Mullen reported that he 
is comfortable as far as he is aware of security measures in 
place, but that Pakistani security restrictions prevent our 
full access to the sites. 
 
¶32. (C/REL AUS) Ambassador Negroponte noted that while there 
are serious threats and challenges with Pakistan, Secretary 
Rice often expresses concern that there is too little 
attention to some of the positive trends in the country.  He 
said that Musharraf had done a fairly good job in holding the 
country together in the face of serious threats, and that he 
had succeeded in instituting significant reforms and growing 
the economy.  He continues to deserve support. 
 
MCCALLUM