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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 000405 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: ECON EAID ENRG PREL PK
SUBJECT: GETTING THE MOST OUT OF OUR ENERGY DIALOGUE WITH PAKISTAN 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary and Action Request:  Ministry of Water and Power 
Additional Secretary Zarar Aslam suggested rescheduling the 
U.S.-Pakistan Energy Dialogue during the week of March 15.  He 
requested the USG propose dates via letter to which Aslam would then 
coordinate a GOP response.  Although Aslam expressed satisfaction 
with the broad dialogue agenda as previously agreed, Post suggests 
taking advantage of the delay to target our discussion more 
precisely and draw in both the World Bank and U.S. business.  Post 
requests Washington views on GOP dates and Post's ideas for 
structure.  End Summary and Action Request. 
 
---------------------------- 
GOP Fine with the Status Quo 
---------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) In a February 11 conversation with EconOff, GOP Energy 
Dialogue POC Ministry of Water and Power Additional Secretary Zarar 
Aslam suggested rescheduling the Energy Dialogue during the week of 
March 15.  Aslam professed to be unaware of earlier communication 
from the Pakistani Embassy in Washington suggesting March 5-6, 
adding that elections in Pakistan March 4 would likely preclude GOP 
participation on those days.  Aslam confirmed that the GOP was 
comfortable with the agenda as previously negotiated.  He also 
confirmed that the original list of participants would attend.  If 
the U.S. side is agreeable to the proposed dates, Aslam requested 
that the U.S. send a letter offering the dates, to which he would 
then coordinate the GOP response. 
 
------------------------------------ 
Getting the Most Out of Our Dialogue 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶3. (SBU) In considering the way forward on the energy dialogue, 
Post's priority is that it be as productive as possible, even if 
that means holding the event at a somewhat later date to ensure 
maximum participation at an appropriately high level in Washington. 
We should, however, lock in dates soon. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Despite Pakistani satisfaction with the agenda as it 
currently stands, Post believes some refinement may be advisable. 
While the current agenda is an excellent tour d'horizon of energy 
issues, our interaction with the GOP might benefit from a more 
targeted discussion of a limited number of key issues.  In addition, 
we also suggest expanding the time allotted to discussing energy 
efficiency and for interaction with the business community on 
specific items of interest.  By rotating the primary subject of the 
dialogue, the dialogue itself remains fresh and targeted on whatever 
area of the energy basket is most germane at a given time.  Energy 
efficiency is relevant to all of the possible subjects and could act 
as a unifying thread to the overall dialogue.  Lastly, an ongoing 
examination of commercial issues, including the investment climate, 
would allow us to communicate the specific concerns of the private 
sector better. 
 
--------------------- 
Bringing in Business? 
--------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) Post sees value in adding a session that includes private 
sector representatives.  They could receive a brief overview of the 
areas discussed and then have an opportunity to interact directly 
with GOP interlocutors on specific projects - setting the stage for 
possible future, direct discussions.  Post also recommends inviting 
in the World Bank for the session on Thar Coal.  This could provide 
follow up to the World Bank hosted energy roundtable in Washington 
last July at the time of Prime Minister Gilani's visit. 
 
--------------- 
Notional Agenda 
--------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) In line with our suggested approach, Post proposes to focus 
the next energy dialogue on coal and electricity.  Our rough, 
notional agenda includes expanded time for presentations and 
discussion. 
 
ISLAMABAD 00000405  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
Day I 
----- 
Private Meeting - Heads of Delegation (15 mins) 
 
Welcoming Remarks (20 mins) 
 
Energy Sector Overview (45 mins) 
 
Coal and Electric Power Policy - Part I (1 hour 45 mins) 
 
Lunch 
 
Coal and Electric Power - Part II (45 mins) 
 
Thar Coal - Plans and Possibilities (45 mins) 
 
Overview for U.S. Business (1 hour) 
 
 
Day II 
------ 
 
Energy Efficiency (1 hour 30 mins) 
 
Next Steps (30 mins) 
 
Closing Remarks (15 mins) 
 
FEIERSTEIN