VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #4206 0142118
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 142117Z JAN 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0240
INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE 1317
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI IMMEDIATE 5646
UNCLAS STATE 004206
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP IR PREL PARM
SUBJECT: USG QUESTIONS ON PAKISTAN DECEMBER 18 NOTICE ON
BANK SEPAH
REF: A. A) NOTE VERBALE
B. 18 DECEMBER 2007
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3.
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SUMMARY
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2. (U) On 18 December, Pakistan notified the UNSCR 1737
Sanctions Committee of its intention to authorize-under
paragraph 15 of UNSCR 1737-payments due under contracts with
Bank Sepah entered into prior to the listing of Bank Sepah in
Annex I of UNSCR 1747. Washington would like to request that
Pakistan provide more information to the Committee and the
U.S. regarding these payments and the underlying contracts in
order to confirm that the authorization of such payments is
fully consistent with the terms of paragraph 15 of UNSCR 1737.
3. (U) In accordance with paragraph 15 of UNSCR 1737 and
paragraph 4 of 1747, Pakistan may authorize these payments as
early as January 18. We wish to immediately convey our
request to the GOP, prior to the payment of any funds, and
ask the GOP to delay authorization or withdraw its
notification until more information is provided on the origin
of money used to process these payments.
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OBJECTIVES
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5. (U) Washington requests Mission approach appropriate
Pakistani government officials to discuss this issue drawing
from paragraphs 2 and 3 and the objectives outlined below.
-- Inquire about the origin of the $1.3 million that will
replenish Bank Sepah's account in Pakistan.
-- Determine whether the country of origin of this $1.3
million will also notify the 1737 Committee, as required by
operative paragraph 15 of UNSCR 1737.
-- Ask for additional details - prior to the payment of any
funds - about the recipient of the goods in question and
whether it has links to any UNSCR-sanctioned entities.
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REPORTING DEADLINE
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6. (U) Mission should report results within seven (7)
business days of receipt of this cable. Please slug replies
for ISN, IO, T, TREASURY, EUR, SCA, and NEA. Please include
SIPDIS in all replies.
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POINT OF CONTACT
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7. (U) Washington point of contact for follow-up
information is Kevin McGeehan, ISN/CPI, (202) 647-5408,
McGeehanKJ@state.sgov.gov.
8. (U) Department thanks Post for its assistance.
RICE