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### Viewing cable 06ISLAMABAD5123, A/S HILLEN VISIT TO PAKISTAN

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06ISLAMABAD5123 | 2006-03-28 08:54 | 2011-05-30 02:00 | SECRET | Embassy Islamabad
Appears in these articles: http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/wikileaks-us-cables-expose-pak-f-16s-image-problem/201017 http://www.ndtv.com/article/wikileaks-revelations/us-cables-expose-pak-f-16s-image-problem-108985

`

    VZCZCXRO3868
    OO RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHPW
    DE RUEHIL #5123/01 0870854
    ZNY SSSSS ZZH
    O 280854Z MAR 06
    FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3443
    INFO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ALMATY PRIORITY 9349
    RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 0193
    RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 3540
    RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 0608
    RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 1362
    RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY
    RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 4868
    RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 6102
    RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 7933
    RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY 0867
    RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 0276
    RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 8153
    RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 5957
    RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
    RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
    RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
    RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY

` `

    S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 ISLAMABAD 005123

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    KABUL - PLEASE PASS TO CFC-A

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2015
    TAGS: PK PTER MOPS MASS MCAP PREL
    SUBJECT: A/S HILLEN VISIT TO PAKISTAN

    Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

    ¶1. (C) Introduction:  On his March 15-18 visit to Pakistan,
    A/S John Hillen and PM/RSAT Tom Canahuate met with senior
    Government of Pakistan (GOP) officials, as well as Pakistan's
    top military leadership.  Describing his role in soliciting
    support for USG security assistance to Pakistan from the U.S.
    Congress, A/S Hillen urged Pakistan's defense leaders to come
    to a decision soonest on the desired configuration for its
    purchase of F-16s.  A/S Hillen described the process by which
    the Administration notifies Congress of the transfer of
    defense assets, and counseled the Pakistanis on steps they
    could take to facilitate Congressional approval of the F-16
    transfer.  Turning to the Global War on Terror (GWOT), A/S
    Hillen praised Pakistan's commitment to routing
    anti-Coalition militants and other extremists in the
    Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the
    Pak-Afghan border, and sought Pakistani perspectives on how
    the U.S. could best configure its security assistance to
    support Pakistan's security operations in the region.  Many
    Pakistani interlocutors raised questions regarding the
    expanding bilateral relationship between the U.S. and India,
    noting that it has led to much public speculation as to the
    value that Washington ascribes to the U.S.-Pakistan
    relationship.  A/S Hillen stated flatly that President Bush
    does not view our bilateral relations with India and with
    Pakistan as a zero sum game; he stressed that the
    Administration seeks a sustained, strategic relationship with
    Pakistan. End introduction.

    National Defense College (NDC)
    ------------------------------

    ¶2.  (SBU) At NDC Commandant LTG Raza Muhammed Khan and his
    staff briefed A/S Hillen on the institution's history,
    mission and organization.  In a broad discussion of security
    issues, LTG Raza raised a number of "irritants" in the
    Pakistani-Afghanistan relationship, citing difficulties in
    achieving effective security cooperation along the common
    border and Pakistan's vulnerability vis-a-vis India's
    "foreign hand," which he alleged is operating out of
    Afghanistan to destabilize Balochistan.  Raza voiced his
    concern at the expanding U.S.-Indian relationship, saying
    that new Delhi received "far more than it deserved" during
    President Bush's recent visit.  A/S Hillen assured LTG Raza
    that although India is an important global power with whom
    the U.S. has a broad and complex relationship, this does not
    detract from the sustained and enduring partnership that the
    U.S. and Pakistan have built over decades.  A/S Hillen and
    LTG Raza agreed that NDC will play a vital role as the U.S.
    and Pakistan strive for a partnership of strategic vision,
    not simply military hardware.

    Ministry of Defense (MoD)
    -------------------------

    ¶3.  (C)  At the MoD, A/S Hillen was received by Minister of
    State Zahid Hamid and Additional Secretary RDML (ret.) A.H.
    Chaudhary.   Hamid thanked the U.S. for its assistance
    following the October 8 South Asian earthquake.  A/S Hillen
    turned the conversation to the value of the International
    Military Education and Training (IMET) program, which he
    would like to expand for Pakistan.  When Hillen asked for an
    assessment of Government of Pakistan's (GOP) current thinking
    on F-16 aircraft purchase,  Minister Hamid said that the GOP
    is definitely interested in purchasing new aircraft, as well
    as refurbishing its current fleet and perhaps acquiring
    airframes through third-country buy-backs.  (Note:  Hamid was
    not specific as to the number of new aircraft the GOP would
    seek.  End note.)  Hillen encouraged the MoD to forward its
    desired mix of F-16s to the USG as soon as possible, so that
    the administration can move forward with Congressional
    Notification on the transfer.  Minister Hamid was pleased to

    ISLAMABAD 00005123  002 OF 004

    hear A/S Hillen say that he is trying to increase USG
    financial support for Pakistani forces currently engaged in
    security operations in the Tribal Areas along the Afghan
    border.  Recognizing Pakistan's leading role in international
    peace-keeping operations, Hillen also encouraged the MoD to
    consider offering training to African militaries interested
    in enhancing their conflict prevention and stabilization
    capacities.

    Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
    ---------------------------------

    ¶4.  (C) At the MFA, Chief of Protocol (and former Director
    General - Disarmament) Nazir Hussain briefed A/S Hillen on
    Pakistan's programs to enhance its non-proliferation regime.
    The Protocol Chief expressed gratitude to the U.S. for
    earthquake relief assistance, but also shared deep dismay
    that President Bush had resurrected the A.Q. Khan legacy by
    citing Pakistan's non-proliferation record as the reason the
    U.S. would not consider offering Islamabad a civil nuclear
    deal to parallel that with India.  "Your man cut Musharraf
    off at the knees" with that public comment, Hussain said,
    noting that his President has a tough time selling his close
    relationship with the U.S. to a deeply skeptical Pakistani
    public.  (Note:  Nazir Hussain's briefing on a special PM
    program will be reported septel.  End note).  Additional
    Secretary (Americas) Shahid Kamal told A/S Hillen that

    SIPDIS
    Pakistan is looking forward to moving forward after the
    successful visit by President Bush earlier in March.  The
    public now has high expectations for the bilateral
    relationship, which presents a challenge to both sides.  When
    Hillen asked for one area in which Pakistan could use U.S.
    assistance, Kamal quickly took the opportunity to name two:
    education and market access for textiles.  Additional
    Secretary for International Organizations Tariq Usman Haider

    SIPDIS
    asked to see A/S Hillen to discuss the Proliferation Security
    Initiative (PSI), asking whether the U.S. would be willing to
    discuss possible Pakistani PSI participation; A/S Hillen
    agreed to take the question back to his T-Bureau colleagues
    in Washington.

    Pakistan Air Force Head Quarters
    --------------------------------

    ¶5.  (C) At PAF HQ March 17, Air Vice Marshall (AVM) Khalid
    Chaudhry (Deputy Chief of Air Staff for Operations) and Air
    Commodore Jamshed listened carefully as A/S Hillen outlined
    concerns raised by some Members of Congress regarding the
    pending sale of F-16s to Pakistan.  AVM Chaudhry assured A/S
    Hillen that Pakistan is prepared to address all USG security
    concerns regarding the F-16s. Citing PAF's long history of
    cooperation with USAF, he was perplexed that some in the U.S.
    are still anxious about Pakistan's security protocols for the
    F-16s.  Chaudhry acknowledged that the Chinese JF-17 (another
    staple in the PAF fleet) is simply not comparable to the F-16
    in terms of quality, particularly its avionics and weapons
    systems. Chaudhry then contrasted PAF's F-16 fleet to the
    array of fighters possessed by the Indian Air Force (IAF),
    supported  by strong defense acquisition relationships with
    the U.S. and Israel.  "The math just doesn't add up,"
    Chaudhry said, admitting that the PAF has no hope of matching
    the IAF's resources.  Even the proposed F-16 purchase will
    not make that much difference in the relative imbalance of
    power, although it will enable Pakistan to maintain a minimum
    deterrent capability.  The F-16s have acquired a mythic
    quality in Pakistan, AVM Chaudhry admitted, taking on an
    inflated symbolic importance in the public imagination.  He
    concluded by asking A/S Hillen to ensure that the F-16 deal
    has enough sweeteners to appeal to the public -- a complete
    squadron of new F-16s, with JDAM and night-vision capability
    -- but not to offer the PAF things that it cannot afford.

    ¶6. (C)  Warming to his subject, Chaudhry told the delegation

    ISLAMABAD 00005123  003 OF 004

    that Pakistan would certainly establish adequate security
    protocols for the F-16s, but that at the end of the day, the
    U.S. simply needs to trust its partner.  He cautioned that
    the U.S. should not "mock" Pakistan by offering "bone-yard"
    F-16s as part of the sale, saying that offering to transfer
    mothballed aircraft only plays into the hand of President
    Musharraf's extremist enemies, who already find a ready
    audience amongst Pakistan's uneducated masses.  In contrast,
    Chaudhry said, the Chinese "understand the Pakistani psyche"
    and therefore "they offer us everything," always on
    advantageous financial terms.

    ¶7. (S)  Given all that Pakistan has done for the U.S.,
    Chaudhry said, Pakistan's military leaders have a difficult
    time maintaining positive attitudes toward the U.S. amongst
    enlisted personnel.  He cited the suseptibility of the
    enlisted ranks -- most of whom come from rural villages -- to
    the influence of extremist Islamic clerics:  "You can't
    imagine what a hard time we have trying to get to trim their
    beards."  (Note: This last comment refers to the tradition of
    conservative Muslims to grow full beards as a sign of piety.
    End note.)  Chaudhry claimed to receive reports monthly of
    acts of petty sabotage, which he interpreted as an effort by
    Islamists amongst the enlisted ranks to prevent PAF aircraft
    from being deployed in support of security operations in the
    Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) along the Afghan
    border.  (Note:  Speaking off the record, Chaudhry told A/S
    Hillen that PAF aircraft are regularly called to provide air
    support to military and security forces when they get into
    tight spots in the FATA...dryily adding that Army brass and
    the ground forces commanders would deny it.  End note.)

    Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS)
    --------------------------------

    ¶8.  (C) VCOAS GEN Ahdan Saleem Hyat greeted A/S Hillen with
    thanks for American generosity and steadfast support
    following the October 8 earthquake, fondly describing how
    U.S. Chinook helicopters became a symbol of the relief
    effort.  He offered his condolences on the deaths of two
    Embassy Karachi employees in a March 2 suicide bombing,
    before turning to Pak-Afghan relations. Praising the
    Tripartite Commission, GEN Ahsan opined that increased
    mil-mil interaction and cooperation -- including exchanges
    and intelligence-sharing -- would squelch the unhelpful
    public bickering widely reported in the media in recent
    weeks. GEN Ahsan renewed a proposal first presented to GEN
    Abizaid and LTG Eikenberry on March 6 to incorporate Afghan
    National Army (ANA) troops into a joint Pak-U.S.
    counter-terrorism (CT) exercise scheduled for May 2006.  GEN
    Ahsan said that Pakistan must succeed in its current CT
    operations in the FATA along the Aghan border for its own
    sake.  Grateful for U.S. assistance thus far, GEN Ahsan said
    that future assistance must be more sharply focused,
    particularly citing Pakistan's need for top-of-the-line air
    assault assets equipped with night-vision capability.  Ahsan
    gave special emphasis to the need to minimize collateral
    damage in the FATA, in order not to alienate the local
    population whose cooperation was critical to identifying and
    dislodging militant forces seeking refuge in the area.  A/S
    Hillen responded that the U.S. fully understood the benefits
    of night operations in support of a counter-insurgency
    campaign.  He also praised GEN Ahsan's description of the
    GOP's integrated strategy to extend government control to the
    FATA, securing military gains with development assistance and
    political engagement.

    Field Trip to Shahbaz and Mushaf Air Bases
    ------------------------------------------

    ¶9.  (C)  On March 16, A/S Hillen led a U.S. delegation to the
    Shahbaz Air Base near Jacobabad, Sindh Province, for

    ISLAMABAD 00005123  004 OF 004

    briefings on the Falcon Talon F-16 joint USAF-PAF exercise.
    After an initial greeting and briefing by Base Commander Air
    Commodore Athar Bukhari, A/S Hillen and delegation toured the
    airbase and visited with USAF F-16 ground crew and support
    staff. The Falcon Talon exercise is the first unified
    USAF/PAF exercise on Pakistani soil.  The exercises covered
    daytime air combat intercepts and unified strike missions.
    Non-flying exercise objectives covered EOD, flight safety and
    quality assurance.  On March 17, A/S Hillen and delegation
    traveled to Mushaf Air Base in Sargodha, which has been the
    home of Pakistan's F-16 fleet since 1983.  The delegation
    received a thorough briefing of security and maintenance
    procedures at the base before touring key facilities.

    ¶10. (U)  This cable has been cleared by A/S Hillen.
    CROCKER

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