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KARACHI: The UAE government was extremely concerned, as far back as 2005, that details about its military cooperation with the Americans at a Pakistani airstrip had been leaked. Speaking to a US diplomat in Abu Dhabi, an official from the UAE government “expressed his displeasure…that some details of the UAE's cooperation with the US military in Pakistan have become public,” a confidential US diplomatic cable obtained by Dawn reveals.
The May 11, 2005 conversation between Ahmed Al Musally, Director of the Asian and African Affairs Department at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the US Deputy Chief of Mission in the UAE was reported in a cable dated May 14, 2005 and written by then Ambassador to the UAE Michele J. Sison.
Mr Al Musally complained that retired Gen Tommy Franks, former commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), in his memoir “American Soldier” had mentioned that “US forces had made use of Sheikh Zayed's private airstrip in Balochistan.” Mr Al Musally said that this “leak” was brought to his attention by the then UAE ambassador in Pakistan who sent him an article published in a Pakistani newspaper on April 27, 2005 which “criticises the Pakistani government for keeping secrets, and… applauds General Frank's openness in his book about the cooperation between Pakistan, the US, and other allies.”
It should be noted that on May 13, 2011, days after the Abbottabad operation, Pakistan's deputy chief of air staff in an in-camera briefing reportedly revealed to the parliament that the Shamsi airbase in Balochistan — alleged to be a base for American drones — had been under the control of the UAE — and not the Pakistan Air Force — since the 1990s. Moreover, press reports in the past have also referred to the Shamsi airbase as being in use by US forces.
Mr Al Musally further specified that “the UAEG [UAE government] desires to keep details of the UAE cooperation with the US military in Afghanistan and Pakistan confidential, because the [UAE] government is concerned that public acknowledgement of this assistance could pose risks” to the security of UAE officials within the UAE or in Pakistan.
Mr Musally moreover noted that “members of the UAE's ruling families frequently visit Pakistan for hunting,” and the information may compromise their security. “He noted that there are 500,000 to 600,000 Pakistanis residing in the UAE…'Maybe they can't do anything here [in the UAE], but they might try there (i.e. Pakistan), especially when our leaders travel there.'”
The complaint moreover led to a meeting between the American envoy to the UAE and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Abdullah Rashid Al Noaimi on May 14, 2005. In that meeting, Ambassador Sison assured the Emirati official that “the Embassy would relay the UAEG's concerns regarding this matter to Washington.”
Cable referenced: WikiLeaks # 32618.
Cable available on Dawn.com.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (36) Closed
May 26, 2011 09:32am
Its a shame for Pakistan to have its space being alloted as an air strip to foreign dictator for his own pleasure such as hunting and then letting that space be used by another power without the Pakistani authourities being aware of that? At least its beung used for good purpose.
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May 26, 2011 10:13am
This is the height of idiocy by the corrupt rulers of Pakistan to forfeit their sovereignity by alloting this base to a foreign country (UAE) which in turn has allowed it to be used by the USA not only to kill innocent people with drone strikes, but also to spy on Pakistan. When are these moronic rulers and the military come to their senses and get back their country on the right path?
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May 26, 2011 10:20am
I THINK pAKISTAN SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CANCEL THE LEASE OF THE AIRBASE AND LAUNCH FORMAL PROTEST WITH UAE GOVERNMENT THAT HOW A PRIVATE AIRFIELD WAS USED FOR MILITARY PURPOSE. BUT I THINK THAT OUR GUTLESS OFFICALS WILL AGAIN SCUMBLE TO FOREGIN PRESSURES
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May 26, 2011 10:27am
Money is all that matters to the Pakistani Gov, who so ever is willing to pay more will be allotted with anything of their choice. The landing strip is allotted to the UAE Officials for their visits to Pakistan which is usually during the hunting season, the rest of the year it's with the Pak Officials who further rented it to the US Army for their hunting leisure. Our Gov is making money by creating a platform for the US Forces to experiment their new weaponries on the citizens of Pakistan. It make no difference to our Gov on who is being hunted as far as they are not and their pockets are filled!!!
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May 26, 2011 01:13pm
shame on Pakistani government who gave this base to UAE. Its Pakistani government who is responsible for every innocent human being killed by these drones/USA/UAE/PAK Govt.
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May 26, 2011 01:24pm
well said and to add, justice by Allah will catch them ultimately. but the question is how to get rid of all these corrupt politicians at once. elections can not solve this problem.
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May 26, 2011 01:46pm
I completely disagree with your comment. Election is one of the most important tool for people to show their belief in themselves by selecting an appropriate person for the top most position who can solve their problems.
If you say that you dont believe in election, you are inturn implying that People of Pakistan cannot solve the problem and expect someone else outside will come out of blue moon to solve it.
Please think twice and wise.
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May 26, 2011 01:54pm
We need rulers who understand the meaning of being proud and freedom. Unfortunately, this character only comes in blood or gene and not by choice. You have to be a privileged one to be a descendent, whose forefathers had been fighting and striving for their freedom from the foreign invaders. Only few would understand this. There is no way the present elite who are at the helm of affairs will take any honourable stand. Today the ones who try to stand tall including in the uniform have been ruled by numerous invaders in the past. They are happy to live under another Master as their forefathers did. It’s only the slave mentality which is lingering on.
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May 26, 2011 02:40pm
If Pakistan does not have problem renting facilities to UAE, USA etc. then why don't they rent Pakistan to India or China.....both of them will do a better economic job for the people than the current rulers.
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May 26, 2011 03:36pm
I appeal all Pakistanis including myself, please correct ourselves ... this is because of us that we got such a worst RULER.
This is wht ALLAH is saying to us in QURAN.
Please please correct ourselves and follow our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
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May 26, 2011 05:11pm
its a shame for Pakistan to have its space being alloted as an air strip to foreign dictator. Pakistani law should held each person responsible for his actions; why govt and army is not held resposible for the free use of air strip. Pakistan must defend his independence and take decisions which good for the nation and her freedom.
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May 26, 2011 05:32pm
It was Nawaz Shariff who leased it out to UAE. I feel very sorry for our Pakistani nation.
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May 26, 2011 05:54pm
i am talking about Pakistani elections
1- votes are sold in thousand(s) rupee per vote
2- specific families are rotating turns and no common man can win a seat.
3- Bogus votes (as many as millions)
4- Sardars of Qabail, Chaudharies of Pinds, Peers of Goths often win. People are so poor that they cant afford to oppose local chaudharies, sardars, Peers and so on...
wait upto next elections before commenting on my comment...(challange)
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May 26, 2011 06:46pm
Nawaz Sherrif may have allowed the UAE in early 90`s to sue the Shamsi air strip for pleasure trips for the Arab Badus. Doing so, he had no divine power that 9/11 is to happen. The such notorious airstrip was however under the total usu of the Dubai Arab Badus ( The Camel Charmers ). Why the Dubai badus further handed over the the strip to stage as a post or for operational use to bomb against the innocent Pakistani women & children? WHY WHY WHY. Tomorrow, UAE Baddu Arabs could lent the same air strip to to be used by the Yankees for the possible use of drone attacks on South of Punjab. Then what will the Zardari say as he is not saying nothing for the use of Shamsi air strip. Shame on all of us that it is correct that our own strips and airspace is used to murder our own innocent citizens. Shame on the rulers.....The Multani Syed Zadau who`s ancesters colluded with the British in 1857 against the Muslim fighters who laid their lives for freedon movement. Traiters give birth to traiters and then we bring them on our neck/shoulders to kill us.
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May 26, 2011 06:54pm
Now Shamsi airstrip is lent by the UAE to USA ( Cowboys) to bomb innocent Pakistani women, childrena nd older people who cannot escape to safety from Wazirastan. Would tomorrow Dubai Rulers will indeed on USA threat allow the use of RAHIM YAR KHAN Airport solely owned by them to bomb the South of Punjab areas where Indians and some other charcters say that Taliban hideouts exists. I think Zardari will one day use these strips to runaway from Pakistan. Zardari hase committed henios crimes against the people of Pakaistan and yet we screem about Mussarraf. Wah Wah bai wahwa. Subhan Allah. What kind of rulers we the stupid Pakistani nation have.
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May 26, 2011 07:00pm
Nawaz Sherriff in his time while ruling as a PM did not know that in future 9/11 to take place. Had he known he will not allow such stupid step to be taken. It is the Arabs who have sublet to the Americans to use the Airport ( shamsi) for the exclusive use to bomb the civiliand and kill them to pices.
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May 26, 2011 07:06pm
I`m not a Pakistani but have a lot of interest in Pakistani politics and its history. I cannot simply understand that Pakistani Authorities lease their airstrips to UAE Arabs for Hunding purposes and lateron the lessee further lease the same to Americans to bomb Pakisti areas. Was the trems of lease assigned with UAE Rulers attchs a condition that they can further sublet to anyone the airstrip for their killing missions.
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May 26, 2011 07:21pm
There is another airbase in Rahim-yaar Khan which was given to Saudi Princes for leisure hunting by our beloved leader Nawaz Sharif. Instead of checking their validations and visa processings, our FIA/ARMY facilitates the princes for the hunting. SHAME ON OUR ARMY/FIA/LEADERS.
I would request our public to vote right leaders in next election who don't compromise on the sovernity of the country.
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May 26, 2011 07:34pm
Yes,but quite evidently, our people are too illiterate or politically naive to elect their Raja sahib, Choudhary Sahib and so on with the end result of electing a leadership such as we have now. Solution? Education, education, education
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May 26, 2011 07:59pm
It is high time that Pakistani establishment understand the meaning of transparency.
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May 26, 2011 09:59pm
Elections in Pakistan are a total farce. They are rigged and as a result we end up with the utmost corrupt and shameless leaders. This country has no hope as long as we are led by such insincere self centered illiterate leaders.
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May 26, 2011 10:08pm
All the while we shout about our sovereignty and now we have sold our sovereignty and the soul. The rot is too deep, The Armed forces have taken a nasty advantage by giving us the fear of neighbors and at the same time they were sucking our blood and sold the country to foreigners.
A foreign and private Airbase in our country? UNBELIEVABLE
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May 26, 2011 11:05pm
So they can come and hunt our animals at their liesure. That is exactly right, they leased it from Pakistan and of course as we know Arabs play double games secrelty allowed US to operate. I think one who leased at the first place should be prosecuted. What happened to the dear sovereignity now?
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May 27, 2011 12:01am
AoA,
I think the time has come to deal with the U A E Monarch ,They have lost the trust of Pakistan and we should strongly condemn this betrail of U A E towards Pakistan .
We should cancel their lease for that airbase and warn them for the consequinces if they ever betrail Pakistani people .
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May 27, 2011 12:34am
I don't understand why is it shamful for Pakistan to have its land used for foreign aircrafts??? It is hypocritical of Pakistani politicans/government as when it comes to receiving money/aid from the US it is ready but Pakistan is not serious in its efforts when it comes to stop militants from masterminding attacks against the US. These drones are doing what Pakistani military should be doing on its own.
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May 27, 2011 01:54am
Air base controlled by UAE
POK dam work controlled by Chinese
Gwadar port given to Chinese... is there anything thats controlled by Pak in itself?
Wonder who controls the nuclear bases?
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May 27, 2011 04:05am
Dear, Allah only helps those who help themselves.
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May 27, 2011 04:19am
The issue is not UAE my friends. Any lease will not allow a sublease as long as the landlord does not approve so all these are happening with the approval of Pak. All the best
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May 27, 2011 06:15pm
No, This is YOU saying your "opinion" wrapping it with religious propaganda -- this is exactly the kind of thought that has brought pakistan to such lows.
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May 27, 2011 06:23pm
So according to this theory, in a group of morons the election will bring good? Since the morons can really differentiate between good and evil? Hell No. Election is a ‘tool’, yes it is true but a tool is only useful in a certain context and in the hand of a master craftman. In hands of idiot, the most useful tool will lose its importance and significance – and that is what happening to Pakistan right now.
Before “using” the tool, first become capable of using it – educate the masses!
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May 28, 2011 06:31am
Balochistan, an occupied land .UAE use aribases ,China expolite resources and want to control Gwadar port, Pak army want to Buy these thing and genocide Baloch if they demand for Just. You people wrote Pakistan,China even Allah where is the BALOCH in Balochistan ?
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May 28, 2011 11:57am
V R BLAMMING USA AND OTHER FOR THEIR HENEIOS ACTIVITIES AGAINST OUR COUNTRY BUT WHAT ABOUT UR BEST FRIEND SAUDI ARABIA ROLE IN DESTABLIZIN OUR COUNTRY BY THEIR CONTINOUS SUPPORT TO TALIBAN AS IT IS EVIDENT 4M WIKILAEK FRESH REALESE
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May 29, 2011 11:54am
I want to ask a very simple question. Why Pakistan is paying the price for the neighbors and so called Muslims friends & rest of the world? They have put interest/lives of the people of Pakistan at stake and causing embarrassing moments for Pakistan on every day basis.
Instead of being thankful to Pakistan for serving as "China Wall" between them and so called Extremists they blame Pakistan for everything. All know what’s the ethnic mix/background of Talibans/Al Qaida and what’s the Percentage% of actual Pakistanis serving in that group.
It’s time that leadership and people of Pakistan clearly let the world know that either they should respect sacrifices of Pakistan or it will part its way from this so called war on terror and let these Friends of Pakistan, who have always left Pakistan in the time of needs and even have put Pakistan on negative visa list, face the music.
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May 29, 2011 12:31pm
Just want to add one more point that they are now only upset over that the "leak" could pose risks” to the security of UAE officials/citizen within the UAE or in Pakistan. What about the risks and hazards that kind of betrayal has posed to the people of Pakistan. Their blood is blood & ours is like water.
A thought came across regarding something similar mentioned by our beloved Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) in his last sermon at Haj-tul-Wida.
Bout sanam khanon men kahte hain musalmaan gai
Hai khushi unko ke Kaabey key nigehbaan gai-Iqbal
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May 29, 2011 11:27pm
I have a super idea pick an island and start providing shelter to criminals from all over the world charge them accordingly ,use there resources against India ,Afghan.When they are of no use or become cause of trouble ask them to live or charge extra,if there is extra pressure world wide then bargain with corresponding countries.If they hold your secret then shoot them and pay some blood money to there relative.
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May 31, 2011 03:35pm
Pakistani leadership always opt the weak stand on its foreign policy. Our Governments always collect the dollors and sold the soverginity of Pakistan. Simply er forrgat that Our this life is examination or test we need to pass the test not to fail. We are feeling this temprory life as permanent life unfortunately
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