President Asif Ali Zardari had told US Senator John Kerry that he needed a “deal with the Unites States” to strengthen his political position in order to show the people of Pakistan that he had something to offer them, a US diplomatic cable released by the WikiLeaks claimed.
In a diplomatic cable sent by then US ambassador Anne W Patterson on February 23, 2010, about a meeting held between President Zardari and US Senator John Kerry, Kerry said India was “very open” to constructive talks with Pakistan and urged Pakistan to reach an agreement with India on counter-terrorism.
“Zardari said with US support, talks could move forward. He said he doubted broad talks with the Taliban were possible, specific regional efforts might succeed. Pakistan was fighting militants in Pakistan on a ‘shoe-string’ budget, but Zardari said that he was committed to finding ways to undermine the pull towards militancy in Pakistani society. Kerry said the GOP needed to rebuild conflict-affected areas to cement military gains against the insurgency.
Kerry encouraged Zardari to develop trade agreements with Pakistan’s neighbours and agreed to Zardari’s request to build consensus for liberalising US trade with Pakistan. Zardari lamented that he was ‘a casualty’ of the world recession, and requested US support to relieve IMF conditions on the Pakistani economy. He said he needed ‘a deal’ with the United States to strengthen his political position,” said the ambassador.
Encouraging an Indo-Pak Agreement: Senator John Kerry opened the February 16 meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari by referring to his recent talks with Indian PM Manmohan Singh and Pakistani PM Yousaf Raza Gilani (reftel). Kerry said Singh was ‘very open’ to negotiation with Pakistan, starting with the upcoming discussions between Pakistan and India’s foreign secretaries. Kerry said cooperation on counter-terrorism with the Indians could lead to Indian compromises on key Pakistani issues such as Kashmir and water use in subsequent meetings.
Kerry encouraged the GOP to come up with specific offers to which the GOI could respond. Zardari agreed dialogue was the only way forward. However, he justified continued suspicion of India, citing recent “confirmation” that there was Indian involvement in the Mumbai attacks. He claimed India had increased its military spending 30 percent this year and described this as a direct threat to Pakistan.
Zardari’s Take on Afghanistan and Iran: Kerry asked Zardari what affect President Obama’s announcement of a US drawdown date had had on the possibility of success in Afghanistan. Zardari answered that it had given a boost to those fighting against the United States, but that they “live in illusion”. Zardari doubted that the US would actually leave Afghanistan in two and a half years, adding that “no one can afford that”. Kerry asked if dialogue with the Taliban was possible. Zardari gave a qualified yes: in specific regions, like Quetta, dialogue might be possible, but on a larger scale it was not.
Fight Against Militants: Kerry noted that, with the December mosque bombing in Rawalpindi, Pakistani terrorism had changed. He asked if Pakistan was going to commit to doing whatever it takes to get rid of extremism. Kerry said that the lingering AQ Khan network remained “an albatross” around Pakistan’s neck. Pakistan’s ability to reach a new security arrangement with India and the increased strength of Pakistan’s democratic institutions would be necessary conditions for the US to consider civilian nuclear assistance to Pakistan.
Something for the People of Pakistan: Zardari expressed his gratitude for US assistance to Pakistan. He opined that he was “a casualty of the world recession” and needed something to give his people, as all they had since he came to power were price increases. Zardari requested that the USG weigh in with the IMF against further electricity tariff increases. Another increase, he warned, would result in riots in the streets. However, Zardari promised to broaden the tax base and implement a Value-added Tax (VAT), as required by the IMF Stand-by Arrangement.
