Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PESHAWAR82
2006-02-17 13:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Peshawar
Cable title:
GOP/ARMY RELATIONS IN WAZIRISTAN
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C O N F I D E N T I A L PESHAWAR 000082
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/17/2016
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KISL, MARR, PK, PTER, EAID, SNAR
SUBJECT: GOP/ARMY RELATIONS IN WAZIRISTAN
REF: (A) 05 PESHAWAR 472 (B) 05 PESHAWAR 482
CLASSIFIED BY: Michael Spangler, Principal Officer, Amconsul
Peshawar, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L PESHAWAR 000082
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/17/2016
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KISL, MARR, PK, PTER, EAID, SNAR
SUBJECT: GOP/ARMY RELATIONS IN WAZIRISTAN
REF: (A) 05 PESHAWAR 472 (B) 05 PESHAWAR 482
CLASSIFIED BY: Michael Spangler, Principal Officer, Amconsul
Peshawar, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) A window on GOP and Pakistan Army relations in
Waziristan recently opened during a meeting with Federally
Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) senior secretary Arbab Shahzad.
In response to our low-key request for meetings with visiting
FATA Political Agents (PA's),Shahzad noted such meetings, once
publicly known, could undermine the reputation of the Agents as
fair and impartial actors in the FATA. He emphasized the PA's
--especially of North and South Waziristan -- are under standing
instructions from NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman to remain aloof
even from Pakistan Army discussions and activities. He added
this instruction enhanced their reputation as unbiased arbiters
who can thus enter more effectively into difficult tribal
negotiations.
2. (C) Reminded of our common agenda and the confidentiality
of our meetings, Shahzad asserted more frequent PA meetings
could not be kept confidential and would play into the hands of
extremists who assert the GOP is acting as an agent of the USG
rather than in its own interest in the FATA. However, he
volunteered to continue convening PA meetings for senior USG
officials and special NAS and USAID program needs, but then only
in the presence of his staff to ensure "we are all on the same
page." We replied this issue might be revisited.
3. (C) COMMENT: In light of ongoing security problems in
Waziristan (REF A) and the GOP's commitment to work closely with
the Pakistan Army in promoting development there, we did not
expect to hear Political Agents have been instructed not to
participate actively in Army activities. Reports of increasing
friction between Army officers and the PA civil servants in
Waziristan appear accurate, but the actual causes remain veiled.
4. (C) Perhaps, Governor Rehman and his staff feel they are
being increasingly relegated to unimportant tasks under the
thumb of Army officers, after the North Waziristan agent was
removed for corruption last autumn (REF B) and the South
Waziristan Agent was recently replaced for a second time since
last summer. On the other hand, the apparent friction may stem
from a genuine Secretariat concern that Army initiatives are
being mismanaged. Whether a serious policy disagreement or a
petty turf fight, Governor Rehman's staff appears to be on the
sidelines in Waziristan and does not want PA's to trade regular
notes with us. END COMMENT.
SPANGLER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/17/2016
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KISL, MARR, PK, PTER, EAID, SNAR
SUBJECT: GOP/ARMY RELATIONS IN WAZIRISTAN
REF: (A) 05 PESHAWAR 472 (B) 05 PESHAWAR 482
CLASSIFIED BY: Michael Spangler, Principal Officer, Amconsul
Peshawar, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) A window on GOP and Pakistan Army relations in
Waziristan recently opened during a meeting with Federally
Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) senior secretary Arbab Shahzad.
In response to our low-key request for meetings with visiting
FATA Political Agents (PA's),Shahzad noted such meetings, once
publicly known, could undermine the reputation of the Agents as
fair and impartial actors in the FATA. He emphasized the PA's
--especially of North and South Waziristan -- are under standing
instructions from NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman to remain aloof
even from Pakistan Army discussions and activities. He added
this instruction enhanced their reputation as unbiased arbiters
who can thus enter more effectively into difficult tribal
negotiations.
2. (C) Reminded of our common agenda and the confidentiality
of our meetings, Shahzad asserted more frequent PA meetings
could not be kept confidential and would play into the hands of
extremists who assert the GOP is acting as an agent of the USG
rather than in its own interest in the FATA. However, he
volunteered to continue convening PA meetings for senior USG
officials and special NAS and USAID program needs, but then only
in the presence of his staff to ensure "we are all on the same
page." We replied this issue might be revisited.
3. (C) COMMENT: In light of ongoing security problems in
Waziristan (REF A) and the GOP's commitment to work closely with
the Pakistan Army in promoting development there, we did not
expect to hear Political Agents have been instructed not to
participate actively in Army activities. Reports of increasing
friction between Army officers and the PA civil servants in
Waziristan appear accurate, but the actual causes remain veiled.
4. (C) Perhaps, Governor Rehman and his staff feel they are
being increasingly relegated to unimportant tasks under the
thumb of Army officers, after the North Waziristan agent was
removed for corruption last autumn (REF B) and the South
Waziristan Agent was recently replaced for a second time since
last summer. On the other hand, the apparent friction may stem
from a genuine Secretariat concern that Army initiatives are
being mismanaged. Whether a serious policy disagreement or a
petty turf fight, Governor Rehman's staff appears to be on the
sidelines in Waziristan and does not want PA's to trade regular
notes with us. END COMMENT.
SPANGLER