Wikileaks about Kayani’s unprofessional approach & ISI backed media’s twisted headlines
September 3, 2011. Wikileaks has revealed that the in-charge of Pakistan’s ideological borders, faith and two nation theory the honorable chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani told privately & confidentially to the ex-US ambassador Anne Patterson that he was very unhappy over a clause in the Kerry-Lugar bill stipulating civilian control over the military establishment. He also expressed unhappiness over a clause in Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill which was about Pakistan Army’s hegemony over parliament.
According to details of the cable sent by the US embassy on October 7, 2009 and released by WikiLeaks on August 30, Patterson met COAS General Ashfaq Kayani and ISI DG Shuja Pasha in a two-hour meeting and heard a number of complaints about the Kerry-Lugar bill, particularly a fear that the waiver in Kerry-Lugar would not be used and aid would be suspended.
“There were several clauses in the bill, such as an American assessment of civilian control over military promotions and the chain of command that rankled COAS Kayani. DG ISI Pasha said Kayani was receiving criticism on the bill from the corps commanders,” the cable said, adding that the ambassador “emphasised the bill’s long-term commitment to Pakistan and made three points – provisions of the bill could be waived, the bill only required certifications and ‘assessments’, and the bill does not apply to the large amounts in the Pakistan counterinsurgency fund or the Coalition Support Fund but only, so far, to non-appropriated foreign military financing”.
Moreover, the same leaked cable also revealed that Gen Kayani had confessed to the huge pressure he was under regarding what to say about the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill as the corps commanders meeting was around the corner and he had to give them some satisfactory answers. He even had wanted to release a statement about the same, but couldn’t come with anything, the leak added.
According to early leaks, General Kayani was behind conflict (and propaganda) on Kerry-Lugar bill. He and his subordinate DG ISI Ahmed Shuja Pasha both have been using media to boost their image and malign civilian Pakistan Peoples Party led Federal govt since formation of democratic government in 2008.
Instead of highlighting the hypocrisy of a Chief and his undemocratic mindset & unprofessional attitude, which he showed via ISPR Press Release on Kerry Lugar Bill as well as discussing foreign affairs with US-ambassador, our ISI sponsored media presenting him as a most generous, honest, loyal and democracy lover General through twisted headlines and news content:
The Nation ISI’s most trustworthy propaganda tool masterly twists a headline to make it pro master; General Kayani did not want to topple government
And
The other media group Geo have little bit different twist of Wikileaks -headling General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani could have overthrown the government if he had wanted to, but he had no such plans.
Just the opposite has happened in Turkey. After Kemal Ataturk, the remaining Ottoman empire (Turkey) remained under the thumb of Army. Sometimes, the facade civil rule was set up in Turkey but the world knew, behind the curtain Military was the powers that be. The only and distinct difference between Turkey and Pakistan is that Turkish army basically remained with the secularism as sheet anchor while after Ziaul Haq, Islamism remained the basic requirement for the country. Turkish army did realize that economy is the only dorsal aorta for the existence of the country for which membership of EEC (European Economic Committee) is necessary. This membership is being denied on the sole ground of “human rights abuses”. Pro-Islamic government in Turkey under Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan got upper hand, some general were nabbed and brought in court for trial of sedition (1983) charges. The Chief of Turkish Armed Forces General Isik Cosaner alongwith Naval and Airforce Chiefs resigned. No gun was picked up to topple civil government.
Has civil rule got the upper hand in the country’s affairs in Pakistan? NO. It has got to go a long way to achieve a real civil rule. Our media is playing the ISI and military fiddle big time. In this scenario, how can one hope that civil rule will succeed? Today’s civil government is saved because American Pentagon has shifted their policy not to vouch on one man (Military dictator) but to protect their interests in the region through democratically elected government. But, what when they change their policy is a million dollar question.
The Aabpara industry & Kiani are the mother of all evils, the so called defenders of ideological borders, two nation theory, strategic depth dogma. It must be brought under civilian control if Pakistan has to survive.
Wikileaks on General Kayani and his ‘democratic’ puppets
http://criticalppp.com/archives/31221
’جنرل کیانی نےحکومت کو فوجی مفاد میں استعمال کیا‘
وکی لیکس پر شائع شدہ پیغام کے مطابق پاکستانی فوج کے سربراہ جنرل اشفاق کیانی نے پس پردہ رہ کر سویلین حکومت کو فوجی مقاصد کے لیے استعمال کیا ہے۔
یہ بات بائیس جنوری سنہ 2010 کو پیرس میں امریکی سفارتخانے کی جانب سے امریکی محکمۂ خارجہ کو بھیجے گئے ایک مراسلے میں کہی گئی ہے۔
س مراسلے میں فرانسیسی حکومت کے پاکستان اور افغانستان پر انٹر ایجنسی سیل کی سربراہ جیسمین زرینینی کے حوالے سے بتایا گیا ہے کہ ان کے خیال میں جنرل کیانی نے’مشرف سے سبق سیکھا ہے‘ اور وہ کھل کر سامنے نہیں آ رہے ہیں۔
تاہم جسیمین زرینینی کا یہ بھی کہنا تھا کہ وہ (جنرل کیانی) پسِ پردہ رہ کر حکومت اور پارلیمان کو اپنے مقاصد کے لیے استعمال کر رہے ہیں جن میں افغان سرحد کے ساتھ واقع قبائلی علاقوں کے لیے پاکستان کی پالیسی کو تبدیل نہ ہونے دینا بھی شامل ہے۔
دستاویز کے مطابق انٹر ایجنسی سیل کی سربراہ کا یہ بھی کہنا تھا کہ جنرل کیانی کیری لوگر بل کے حوالے سے تنازعہ کھڑا کرنا چاہتے ہیں کیونکہ یہ بل امریکی امداد کو فوج پر بڑھتے ہوئے سویلین کنٹرول سے مشروط کرتا ہے۔
اسی گفتگو میں جسیمین زرینینی نے یہ بھی کہا کہ مغرب نے پاکستان میں پناہ لینے والے افغان طالبان کا صفایا کرنے کے لیے پاکستانی فوج پر دباؤ ڈالنے کا موقع گنوا دیا ہے۔
ان کے مطابق اس کی ایک مثال جلال الدین حقانی ہیں جو کہ بقول ان کے سنہ 2004 میں بطور ایک رہنما سامنے آئے تاہم اس وقت نہ ہی وہ کسی تنظیم کے نمائندہ اور نہ ہی کوئی بڑا خطرہ تھے۔ تاہم جب خلیج سے ملنے والی بڑی رقوم کی بدولت وہ ایک نیٹ ورک قائم کرنے میں کامیاب ہو گئے ہیں تو اب پاکستانی فوج کے لیے انہیں شکست دینا مشکل ہے چاہے وہ اس کے خواہشمند بھی ہوں۔
مراسلے میں بتایا گیا ہے کہ جیسمین زرینینی کے مطابق حکومتِ فرانس پاکستان سے اسّی کی دہائی میں صرف فوجی سازوسامان کی فروخت پر منحصر تعلقات جیسے تعلقات کی خواہاں نہیں اور وہ چاہتی ہے کہ پاکستان کے ساتھ مضبوط سیاسی تعلقات ہوں اور معاشی اور تجارتی روابط کے علاوہ دونوں ممالک انسدادِ دہشتگردی کے شعبے میں بھی تعاون کریں۔
Source: BBC Urdu
General Kayani has ‘learned the lesson of Musharraf’ and was staying behind the scenes, Head of France’s Afghanistan-Pakistan cell Jasmine Zerinini is believed to have said. The French official also acknowledged that the Pak Government does not want any political dialogue unless it is focused on Kashmir, according to the documents released by Wikileaks.
Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has “learned the lesson” of his predecessor Gen Pervez Musharraf and prefers staying behind the scenes while affecting the government’s decision-making on key issues, according to secret American documents released by WikiLeaks.
Jasmine Zerinini, head of the French government’s interagency Afghanistan-Pakistan cell, told Richard Kessler, staff director of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, in January that Gen. Kayani was playing a behind the scenes role in issues like the war against terrorism and stirring up a controversy over linking civilian control of the military to increased American aid.
“On the role of the Pakistani military, Ms. Zerinini said General Kayani has ‘learned the lesson of Musharraf’ and was staying behind the scenes. However, he is manipulating the government and parliament, including to prevent change on Pakistan’s policy towards Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the Afghan border, and also to stir up controversy regarding the Kerry-Lugar bill that ties continued U.S. aid to increased civilian control of the military,” said one of the thousands of secret cables released by WikiLeaks.
General Kayani was appointed army chief by Musharraf, who was forced to resign in August 2008 to avoid being impeached by the civilian government led by the Pakistan People’s Party.
Reports have suggested that Kayani plays a key role in shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy, especially relations with the U.S. and India.
Ms. Zerinini argued that the West had “missed its opportunity to push the Pakistani military to crush the Afghan Taliban taking refuge in Pakistan”.
Citing Afghan warlord Jalaladin Haqqani as an example, Ms. Zerinini said that ‘in 2004 he had standing as a leader in the jihadi community, but did not have the organisation to represent a significant military threat.”
“However, since then, large amounts of funding, predominately from Gulf donors, have allowed Haqqani to create a network that would be difficult for the Pakistani military to defeat, even if it had the will to do so,” the cable quoted Ms. Zernini as saying.
Ms. Zerinini said France was working to “reinforce its political relations with Pakistan” as it did not “want to return to a relationship based on military equipment sales, as in the 1980s, and is instead focusing on counter-terrorism in addition to economic and trade links.”
However, the French official acknowledged that the Pakistan government “does not want any political dialogue unless it is focused on Kashmir.”
While France was trying to support an E.U.-Pakistan dialogue, “Pakistan makes it difficult by rejecting conditionality and attempting to focus exclusively on economic issues,” she said.
Ms. Zerinini was further quoted in the cable as saying that “bilateral measures alone to strengthen (Pakistan’s) civilian government were unlikely to be effective, and that more coordination was needed among donors, especially the U.S.”
She said the Friends of Democratic Pakistan, “while imperfect, was designed to transform Pakistan’s political elite and give them more leverage over the military” but the forum was not being utilized.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article924197.ece
Zardari feared coup, he was concerned that Kayani might “take me out”, and Killed
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-01/pakistan/28264162_1_asif-ali-zardari-faryal-talpur-kayani
Kayani blackmails Afghanistan against pursuing a ‘pro-india’ policy threatening to use his favourite “assets” against them if they don’t follow his dictate:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article924251.ece
The army chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, had been “utterly frank” about the consequences of a pro-India government coming to power in Kabul, noted a 2009 briefing before his visit to Washington. “The Pakistani establishment will dramatically increase support for Taliban groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which they see as… an important counterweight.”
Pakistan’s army chief Kayani mused about forcing out civilian president Asif Ali Zardari, who in turn has made preparations for a coup or assassination, leaked US diplomatic cables revealed:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-12-01/pakistan-army-chief-considered-coup-leaked-cables/2358006
WikiLeaks unmasks who are our real puppet-masters?
http://criticalppp.com/archives/31401
VOW BRAVO…… it seems like as if WikiLeaks is Quran for Dr Uzma Ali…
quote ” Wikileaks has revealed that the in-charge of Pakistan’s ideological borders, faith and two nation theory the honorable chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani told privately & confidentially to the ex-US ambassador Anne Patterson that he was very unhappy over a clause in the Kerry-Lugar bill stipulating civilian control over the military establishment. He also expressed unhappiness over a clause in Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill which was about Pakistan Army’s hegemony over parliament” unquote
My question is why the hell Mr.Kayani has to convince or complain to the ugly Us Ambassador..????
If ARMY and ISI didnot support ZARDARI and his FAG Brigade he would have been dead with his face stuck in the american made flush tank..
Long live Jhangavi, Azam Tariq, Imran Khan and Adil Najam.
“This is our media culture in today’s militarized and Talibanized Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Media outlets have become battlefields… instead of editors, serving generals are running newspapers, TV and radio channels, and even websites. Security of the country and its 180 million inhabitants has been handed over to the Taliban, al-Qaeda and other militant groups. Long live Mr. Jinnah’s Dawn and Pakistan!!”
http://nblo.gs/mA4az
So, I have learnt here that Taliban Khan is ‘bacha jamhoora’ of Establishment and he is against drones and transit routes to NATO. So how is Gen. Kayani secretly promoting drones and again secretly working against it. Saying openly and working secretly makes sense but how can he contradict himself?
AREY YAAR GET A LIFE…!! who ever opposes their point of view becomes a Taliban…They( the writers on LUBP ) hate everything about Pakistan but they love PPP and Zardari.. this is absurd..maybe there is only one person running the blog with different names.
I donot agree with Dr Uzma Ali. Its appears to be a baseless article based on leaks of situation assessment of few diplomats. Please elucidate which clause in Kerry Lugar gives civilian control on military promotions. Please quote a clause and then we discuss it. Dont refer to wikileaks, please refer a clause.
In my view, learned writer has fallen prey to fourth generation warfare by glamorous western media and has forgotten that the same media had accused kiani of safeguarding pakistan’s interests at all cost. Do you want a reference or you have forgotten the story altogether
finally , please quote a clause and logic for publishing this articel
Dr. Uzma Ali’s has posted all the links and look where they take us, The Hindu and Times of India, wow, since when did the reports of a country which has tried to wipe us out ever since the inception of this country is Dr. Uzma’s refrence against our Army chief and ISI. whatever you try, this is our Pakistan and our Army and we are not taking the words of an indian supporter against our Army and our ISI.
Let me remind an incident to Dr uzma Ali from his Indian history (same Indian whose refernces she has quoted in her article). Mrs Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister, asked COAS Gen Manecksha to show quick progress on former East Pakistan and tried ti interfere too much. Manecksha replied, you do your job , let me do mine. This fact should be understood. Bangladesh Army has a problem of interference of politicians in senior military promotions, which to my knowledge based on personal interactions)leads to bad results. Military senior promotions and even police and judiciary should have politics free promotion and posting system.
If Gen Kiyani protested on military promotions issue, well it is not foreign affairs, it is interference in mil matters and he did absolutely right. I support his actions. It was brave action from a person belonging to a nation, whose majority is overawed by presence of a gora.
I disagree with the author. If US tells us how to promote senior officers, they should be to mind their own business and this does not fall into foreign affairs as the worthy writer is trying to point out.
Seriously this article is pathetic. I am seriously getting a notion that this website is being run by some anti-Pakistan elements after having read many articles which are irrationally persistent in proving the inadequacy, inefficiency and corrupt Pakistani Army by giving solely anecdotal references. Above all, the pathetic and Miss Know-It-All(Uzma, the writer of this article) is even quoting references from hindu.com and the websites which no one gives bullshit and are highly non-credible resources. I am just laughing my ass off at her reference websites. The mere mention of them highlights her dubious intellectual abilities. She really needs to get a life!
To all those who think this website is run by anti-Pakistan elements need to get a life. RAW is not anti-Pakistan. They care for us and are our best friends. We both eat ‘aalo gosht’ remember?
There is no doubt that ISI is one of the best agency in the world. talking about Wikileaks let me tell you onething that it is group made by america inorder to destablize muslim countries. do you remember when Rekhi(the terrorist in Iran and agent of America)was caught down from air in iran was a help of ISI with Irani intelligence otehr wise it is not possible for Iran to arrest any person like Rekhi.
I hope that Pakistan Army and ISI will distinguish America and India. (Inshallah)
China is going to be the next super power because ISI is helping them in all fields(economy and power)The condition of America will not be different from Russia. When Russia was defeated in Afghanistan it was divided into 12 parts. who defeated Russia? Pakistan.
America is taking his last breathing in Afghanistan.
Yes i cannot reject the information about Pakistani Politians because they are not honest to Pakistan. If PPP and PML(N) are rulling over Pakistan that is just because of stupid people of Punjab and Sindh. People of Punjab and Sindh are totally surrounded in ignorance. they are the most illitrate and neglactant people. We know who is Zardari and Nawaz Sharif and the member of their parties. they all are corrupt and robbers of pakistan. Dont we remember the last Govt of PML(N), did they do any thing for this country?
If today Nawaz sharif asks for Afia Siddqi from Mushrraf(detector)then who should ask Nawaz Sharif about Amal Kasi that handed him to America for billion of dollars.
What about the Governmental Mill of Oil (Chiltan Ghee Mill) in Quetta that you(Nawaz Sharif) sold to a bussiness man where is the money of that.
And also Bolan Steal Mill in Quetta that was privatized in your(Nawaz Sharif)Govt.
Today you talk about the Rights of Balochistan. You ask Musharraf to surrender himself for Akabar Bugti case. I belong to Balochistan and know the ground realities of Balochistan. Bugti did not do anything for Baloch nation but he killed them, did not allow Baloches to get education, did not let them to start their own bussines.
Mr. Nawaz Sharif plz dont talk about the rights of Balochistan.What did you give to Balochistan in two times of your Gov’t? nothing.
Pakistan Zindabad
Pak Army Zindabad.
ISI Paindabad…………………………………………………..
Dr Uzma may is invited to join our forum which asks US Government not to include former oil company strategist in military and foreign policy departments. What a pathetic article and what pathetic thinking. If US is telling us to have political control to senior ranked promotions in Army, then soon army will be like Karachi Police where every SHO is appointed by political parties for own sake. In my view gen Kiyani should have more strongly protested over this issue. And the writer is advised to more logical in thoughts. The article has no substance and overall a bad repute for LUBP.
I think the writer was impressed by titles. wikileak is mannaged by gora. Kerry Lugar are goras. How could gora be wrong? They are angels. Salve mentality based article.For heavens sake show some pride in our nation and dont be mental slaves to wiki and kerry.
What kind of blog and article is this? Who is managing? There seems to be something funny about your thinking. Are you people jokers? or over obsessed by US brand names? If US interferes in Army promotions, we have the right to interfere in US Army promotions. I agree with Khalid Khan, you people appear to be mental slaves to goras and you cant see a brave soldier standing up a a thick headed gora diplomat and ask her not to poke her ugly nose in Army promotions. if you are given the control, you would get permission from Americans before using toilet even. Slavery is evident from this post.
Oh Yes. Gen Kiyani committed a crime by questioning the mighty US ambassador. US experts should come and tell us how to run our country. How to promote army, police and others. And if we ask them not to interfere, its a crime. My humble request to writer, please come out of this US phobia and appreciate if someone has the moral courage to stand upto the Us ambassador. The whole article speaks of a inferiority complex and hatred for army. Not even wroth commenting I would say. Lacking national spirit and pride. Please have some pride in our nation.
Pakistan can be built if no protest is ever made to USA not even by Kiyani. LUBP hats off for a new era of salvery and inferiority
What does LUBP say. dont protest to US and build Pakistan? Is this the motto? I think forums like these can only improve their reputation by being a bit more positive towards Pakistan
Wikileak has confirmed that the writer of this article went to US ambassador and promised not to protest on anything for next 1000 years. Assange has appreciated writers brave gesture. Lets hope other LUBP members will join the US slave club
Oh yes yes. Why should Kiyani be unhappy about something said by US. Hey writer we are slaves? are we dumbs? we cant tell US that they should worry about own Army not ours? Why the writer thinks any rude answer to US is unethical? because we brownies should always say yes to americans. What a stupid piece of article. The writer should be employed as a latrine cleaner at JFK Airport so that he can serve his gora masters better. There he can show his salvery by wiping off the faeces.
Pathetic article. Confused and inferiority filled mind can produce this stupid stuff
What is the problem in telling USA that they are wrong? Kiyani should have slapped that dumb US dilpomat and told them that they had appointed a psycho Rumsfield as defence secretary. they should not tell us how to manage defence tiers, as they are themselves a failure. Dumb americans idiots. Why the writer is so impressed? because of their color?
Army chief wanted more drone supportFrom the Newspaper | Front Page | By Hasan Zaidi May 20, 2011
In another meeting with US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen over March 3-4, 2008, Kayani was asked for his help “in approving a third Restricted Operating Zone for US aircraft over the FATA.” The request – detailed in a cable sent from the US Embassy Islamabad on March 24 – clearly indicates that two ‘corridors’ for US drones had already been approved earlier. – File Photo (Thumbnail illustration by Faraz Aamer Khan/Dawn.com)
KARACHI: Secret internal American government cables, accessed by Dawn through WikiLeaks, provide confirmation that the US military’s drone strikes programme within Pakistan had more than just tacit acceptance of the country’s top military brass, despite public posturing to the contrary. In fact, as long ago as January 2008, the country’s military was requesting the US for greater drone back-up for its own military operations.
Previously exposed diplomatic cables have already shown that Pakistan’s civilian leaders are strongly supportive – in private – of the drone strikes on alleged militant targets in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), even as they condemn them for general consumption. But it is not just the civilian leadership that has been following a duplicitous policy on the robotic vehicles.
In a meeting on January 22, 2008 with US CENTCOM Commander Admiral William J. Fallon, Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani requested the Americans to provide “continuous Predator coverage of the conflict area” in South Waziristan where the army was conducting operations against militants. The request is detailed in a ‘Secret’ cable sent by then US Ambassador Anne Patterson on February 11, 2008. Pakistan’s military has consistently denied any involvement in the covert programme run mainly by the CIA.
The American account of Gen Kayani’s request for “Predator coverage” does not make clear if mere air surveillance were being requested or missile-armed drones were being sought. Theoretically “Predator coverage” could simply mean air surveillance and not necessarily offensive support. However the reaction to the request suggests otherwise. According to the report of the meeting sent back to Washington by Patterson, Admiral Fallon “regretted that he did not have the assets to support this request” but offered trained US Marines (known as JTACs) to coordinate air strikes for Pakistani infantry forces on ground. General Kayani “demurred” on the offer, pointing out that having US soldiers on ground “would not be politically acceptable.”
In another meeting with US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen over March 3-4, 2008, Kayani was asked for his help “in approving a third Restricted Operating Zone for US aircraft over the FATA.” The request – detailed in a cable sent from the US Embassy Islamabad on March 24 – clearly indicates that two ‘corridors’ for US drones had already been approved earlier.
In secret cable on October 9, 2009 (previously published by WikiLeaks), Ambassador Patterson reports that US military support to the Pakistan Army’s 11th Corps operations in South Waziristan would “be at the division-level and would include a live downlink of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) full motion video.” In fact, in November 2008, Dawn had reported then commander of US forces in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, telling its reporter that US and Pakistan also share video feeds from Predator drones that carry out attacks. “We have a Predator feed going down to the one border coordination centre at Torkham Gate thats looked at by the Pakistan Military, Afghan Military, and the International Security Assistance Force,” General McKiernan had said.
Sharing of video feeds does not imply operational control by Pakistan’s military, however, and even this sharing may have subsequently been suspended.
Despite the occasionally disastrously misdirected attacks which have fed into the public hue and cry over civilian casualties, there is, in private, seeming general acceptance by the military of the efficacy of drone strikes. In a cable dated February 19, 2009, Ambassador Patterson sends talking points to Washington ahead of a week-long visit to the US by COAS Kayani. Referring to drone strikes, she writes: “Kayani knows full well that the strikes have been precise (creating few civilian casualties) and targeted primarily at foreign fighters in the Waziristans.”
Another previously unpublished cable dated May 26, 2009 details President Zardari’s meeting on May 25 with an American delegation led by Senator Patrick Leahy. “Referring to a recent drone strike in the tribal area that killed 60 militants,” wrote Ambassador Patterson in her report, “Zardari reported that his military aide believed a Pakistani operation to take out this site would have resulted in the deaths of over 60 Pakistani soldiers.”
The general support for drone strikes from both the military and civilian leadership is also evidenced by the continuous demand, documented over numerous cables, from Pakistan Government officials to American interlocutors for drone technology to be placed in Pakistani hands. The issue conveyed to the Americans is not so much that of accuracy as that of managing public perceptions.
In the meeting with Senator Leahy, Zardari is directly quoted telling the US delegation to “give me the drones so my forces can take out the militants.” That way, he explains, “we cannot be criticized by the media or anyone else for actions our Army takes to protect our sovereignty.”
General Kayani also “focused on the need for surveillance assets” in the meeting with Admiral Fallon according to Patterson’s cable. “Kayani said he was not interested in acquiring Predators, but was interested in tactical Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs).” Predators are considered ‘theatre-level’ technology able to cover wide regions such as the whole of Afghanistan and Pakistan through remotely stationed operations rooms while ‘tactical’ drones are less wide-ranging and can be operated by forces on the ground.
After the first US drone strike outside the tribal areas, in Bannu on November 19, 2008 which killed four people including an alleged senior Al Qaeda member, Ambassador Patterson had presciently noted in another previously unpublished cable (dated November 24, 2008) the dangers of keeping the Pakistani public misinformed. “As the gap between private GOP acquiescence and public condemnation for US action grows,” she wrote back to Washington, “Pakistani leaders who feel they look increasingly weak to their constituents could begin considering stronger action against the US, even though the response to date has focused largely on ritual denunciation.”
Cables Referenced: WikiLeaks # 140777, 147015, 179645, 192895, 208526, 229065. All cables can be viewed on Dawn.com.
http://www.dawn.com/2011/05/20/army-chief-wanted-more-drone-support.html