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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 100307 
 
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS 
 
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y  (ADDED CAPTION) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON PK
SUBJECT: CORRECTED VERSION OF STATE 100210 -  FRIENDS OF 
PAKISTAN GROUP TO CONVENE IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 26 - TO 
INCLUDE ITALY AS ACTION ADDRESSEE 
 
STATE 00100307  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (U)  This is an action cable.  Posts other than USNATO 
see paragraph 4. 
 USNATO see paragraph 5. 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  The US, the UK, and the United Arab Emirates, in 
consultation with Pakistan, propose to establish a "Friends 
of Pakistan" group to galvanize international efforts in 
support of the new civilian government, as it faces a range 
of critical challenges.  The Secretary, UK Foreign Secretary 
Miliband, and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed 
Al Nayhan are issuing a joint invitation to addressees' host 
country foreign ministers to an inaugural meeting in New York 
September 26. 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Given the short time frame, and the fact that many 
delegations will be leaving over the weekend for the UN 
General Assembly, action posts are requested to approach host 
governments' Ministries of Foreign Affairs on Friday, 
September 19, to deliver the letter in paragraph 6.  To the 
extent possible, please deliver together with British and 
Emirati counterparts. Posts except for USNATO may draw on 
paragraph 4 talking points: 
 
¶4. (SBU)  Talking Points 
 
- The U.S., UK and the UAE propose to convene a meeting of a 
new group - the Friends of Pakistan - in order to galvanize 
international efforts behind the newly elected government of 
Pakistan. The purpose would be to send a signal that the 
Government of Pakistan has wide support as it works to 
address Pakistan's challenges. 
 
- We wish to be very clear that this will not/not be a 
donors' meeting to provide relief from Pakistan's critical 
short-term balance of payment and foreign exchange problems; 
these must be addressed by swift and credible reform actions 
by its government.  Discussions of specific economic reform 
actions will be left to other, more appropriate channels. 
 
- The group will consist of a small number of like-minded 
countries.  In addition to the U.S., UK, and the UAE, the 
following are being invited:  Canada, France, Germany, 
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Italy, and Australia, as 
well as the EU and the UN.  (If asked: Other interested 
nations, organizations and financial institutions could be 
invited to subsequent meetings as appropriate.)  Pakistan 
will serve as co-chair of the meeting. 
 
- The inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place in New 
York at the United Nations General Headquarters on Friday, 
September 26, at 9:35 a.m. 
 
- We would appreciate learning as soon as possible whether 
your Foreign Minister will be able to attend. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  FOR USNATO ACTION ONLY:  Please deliver the 
following points to the Secretary General's Private Office: 
 
 - Given the urgency of the situation in Pakistan and the 
opportunity provided by the General Assembly, we would like 
to move quickly to establish this small group to galvanize 
international support for Pakistan. 
 
 - The initial intent of the "friends" is to focus on 
Pakistan's broad challenges.  If security does emerge as an 
issue for the "friends," we will press for NATO participation. 
 
STATE 00100307  002.2 OF 002 
 
SUBJECT: CORRECTED VERSION OF STATE 100210 -  FRIENDS OF 
PAKISTAN GROUP TO CONVENE IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 26 - TO 
INCLUDE ITALY AS ACTION ADDRESS 
 - We will keep the Private Office and, as appropriate, the 
North Atlantic Council informed of the activities of the 
"friends." 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  Begin Text: Dear Foreign Minister (insert 
appropriate name):  Pakistan has recently undergone a 
successful democratic transition.  Consolidating democracy is 
an imperative and requires assisting Pakistan with its 
national development agenda. 
 
The new democratically elected Pakistani government faces 
formidable challenges.  The need to address these problems is 
urgent.  The UK, the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates would 
like to galvanize international support for the Government of 
Pakistan.  One way to achieve this would be to set up a 
Friends of Pakistan group. 
 
The Group could be co-chaired by the Government of Pakistan 
and one of its members.  Initially, membership would be kept 
to a small number of like-minded countries, plus the EU and 
the UN.  Other interested nations, organizations and 
international financial institutions could be invited to 
subsequent meetings. 
 
The purpose of the Group would be to send a signal that the 
civilian Government of Pakistan has wide support as it works 
to address Pakistan's challenges.  It might as an early step 
consider a joint statement with Pakistan of goals and the 
commitment to work on joint strategies to address challenges 
of security and comprehensive development, including 
education, energy shortfalls, and institution-building.  The 
Group, however, is not intended to be a donors' conference. 
 
We have discussed the proposal to form such a Group with 
President Zardari, who has welcomed the idea and agreed that 
Pakistan should co-chair it.  An inaugural meeting of the 
Group's Foreign Ministers with President Zardari could be 
held in the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York at 
the end of September.  The inaugural meeting could aim for a 
joint statement of goals and commitments.  As to timing, we 
would like to propose Friday, 26 September, at 9:35 am, at 
the UN Headquarters. 
 
We should be grateful if you would let us know whether your 
country would be willing to participate in the Friends of 
Pakistan Group, and if you would be available to attend the 
proposed meeting in New York next week.  Signed, Condoleezza 
Rice, David Miliband, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al 
Nayhan.  End Text of Invitation. 
RICE