Cablegate: Poland On Potential Pakistan Donors Conference

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PP RUEHAG RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHDIR RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHWR #1366 3361629
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011629Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY WARSAW
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7428
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0294
RUEHKW/AMCONSUL KRAKOW 2193
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0070
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1433

UNCLAS WARSAW 001366

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/PB MARY TOWNSWICK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN IBRD IMF PK PL
SUBJECT: POLAND ON POTENTIAL PAKISTAN DONORS CONFERENCE

REF: STATE 124618

1. (SBU) Summary: The Polish government is keenly aware of
the challenges in Pakistan and the importance of managing
them successfully. Provided that it can muster a meaningful
donation, Poland is likely to attend the proposed conference,
although no information is available regarding the level at
which it might be represented. However, whether Poland could
make a meaningful donation is a real question, given the
limited time before the proposed conference date of December
16, the congested foreign affairs calendar between now and
then, and the scale of other Polish giving in the region
(especially to Afghanistan). The Poles would appreciate more
information regarding (1) the planned U.S. pledge, (2) how
firm the December 16 date is, and (3) the technical mechanism
for making donations. End summary.

2. (SBU) EconOff delivered reftel demarche on November 28
to Ambassador Jerzy Wieclaw, Head of the South Asia Section
in the Asia-Pacific Department at the Polish Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. On December 1, Wieclaw told EconOff that he
has not yet gotten any feedback from the Minister, but his
view from the "experts level" is that Pakistan does need
help. He stated that for the Polish government the success
of ISAF/OEF in Afghanistan is an overarching issue, and the
Poles are aware of "regional inter-linkages." Wieclaw also
stated that he had heard the results from a Friends of
Pakistan meeting in Abu Dhabi had not been terribly
encouraging, and understood the need for a donors conference.
He cautioned, however, that the amount needed -- USD 4
billion -- is an "impressive figure," and time is short.
Poland already pledged a significant amount of direct
assistance during the recent Afghanistan Conference. Also,
Poland already contributes through the European Union. He
added that the Poles are unsure how to contribute, noting
that in Afghanistan Poland has been able to channel donations
through the World Bank-administered Afghan Reconstruction
Trust Fund.

3. (SBU) Wieclaw also offered a few thoughts on relations
between Poland and Pakistan generally. He stated that
relations have been limited, but in accordance with EU policy
the Polish government is seeking to increase its cultural and
political contacts with Pakistan. On the economic level,
trade between Poland and Pakistan is "modest," and the recent
kidnapping of a Polish citizen in Pakistan is likely to
depress interest among Poles in investing there.
ASHE

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