Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ISLAMABAD80
2009-01-13 16:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
MUSHARRAF BEGINS U.S. SPEAKING TOUR
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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000080
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV PK
SUBJECT: MUSHARRAF BEGINS U.S. SPEAKING TOUR
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000080
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV PK
SUBJECT: MUSHARRAF BEGINS U.S. SPEAKING TOUR
1. (SBU) Summary: On January 10, former Pakistani President
Pervez Musharraf departed Islamabad for the United States to
visit his brother and to participate in a two-week lecture
tour with scheduled stops at the University of Pittsburgh,
Stanford University, and the World Affairs Council of Western
Michigan. Press reports suggest his remarks will focus on
terrorism and extremism, the strategic importance of
Pakistan, insights into the Islamic world, leading through
economic turmoil, and crisis management. Before departing
from Islamabad, Musharraf made several comments to the media
on Pakistan's efforts in the War on Terror and on Pakistan's
current standoff with India following the November 26 Mumbai
attacks. Although he declined to comment on the performance
or policies of the present Pakistan People's Party-led
government, even members of his own Pakistan Muslim League
party would prefer that he refrain from public remarks. A
summary of his comments follows. End Summary.
--------------
Pakistan and the War on Terror
--------------
2. (SBU) Prior to his departure for the United States, on
January 10, former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made
several comments to the media on Pakistan's efforts in the
War on Terror and on Pakistan's current standoff with
India following the November 26 Mumbai attacks. In speaking
on the use of alleged U.S. predator strikes, Musharraf
rejected reports that he had struck a deal with the United
States, saying he had never authorized drone strikes inside
Pakistani territory. Musharraf told the media, "It was
agreed that the U.S. and NATO forces could strike on the
Afghan side of the border and would not enter Pakistani
territory." He went on to say, "There was a clear policy
that only the Pakistani army will operate there (in the
tribal regions)."
3. (SBU) Musharraf said it was "beyond understanding" how
the West could demand that Pakistan "do more" against
terrorism. Musharraf also said that Pakistan had done more
than any other nation in the global war against terrorism,
noting that "Pakistan has lost a large number of security
personnel and civilians in the fight against terrorism."
--------------
Pakistan-India, Post-Mumbai
--------------
4. (SBU) Musharraf condemned the November 26 Mumbai attack
but accused India of creating war hysteria. He urged India
to stop making threats against Pakistan, and said "India
should not talk rubbish like surgical strikes." Musharraf
added that Pakistan has "built a force level and we can use
the sensitive and strategic assets when we have to."
5. (SBU) With regard to Pakistan's offer of a joint probe to
investigate the Mumbai attacks, Musharraf said "the only way
to resolve the mystery of the November 26 attacks is to
conduct joint investigations." Musharraf added that his
government tried its best to develop friendly relations with
India, but lamented that "all the developments on both sides
for dialogue, peace, and coordination built in the past over
many years were washed out by one terror incident."
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV PK
SUBJECT: MUSHARRAF BEGINS U.S. SPEAKING TOUR
1. (SBU) Summary: On January 10, former Pakistani President
Pervez Musharraf departed Islamabad for the United States to
visit his brother and to participate in a two-week lecture
tour with scheduled stops at the University of Pittsburgh,
Stanford University, and the World Affairs Council of Western
Michigan. Press reports suggest his remarks will focus on
terrorism and extremism, the strategic importance of
Pakistan, insights into the Islamic world, leading through
economic turmoil, and crisis management. Before departing
from Islamabad, Musharraf made several comments to the media
on Pakistan's efforts in the War on Terror and on Pakistan's
current standoff with India following the November 26 Mumbai
attacks. Although he declined to comment on the performance
or policies of the present Pakistan People's Party-led
government, even members of his own Pakistan Muslim League
party would prefer that he refrain from public remarks. A
summary of his comments follows. End Summary.
--------------
Pakistan and the War on Terror
--------------
2. (SBU) Prior to his departure for the United States, on
January 10, former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made
several comments to the media on Pakistan's efforts in the
War on Terror and on Pakistan's current standoff with
India following the November 26 Mumbai attacks. In speaking
on the use of alleged U.S. predator strikes, Musharraf
rejected reports that he had struck a deal with the United
States, saying he had never authorized drone strikes inside
Pakistani territory. Musharraf told the media, "It was
agreed that the U.S. and NATO forces could strike on the
Afghan side of the border and would not enter Pakistani
territory." He went on to say, "There was a clear policy
that only the Pakistani army will operate there (in the
tribal regions)."
3. (SBU) Musharraf said it was "beyond understanding" how
the West could demand that Pakistan "do more" against
terrorism. Musharraf also said that Pakistan had done more
than any other nation in the global war against terrorism,
noting that "Pakistan has lost a large number of security
personnel and civilians in the fight against terrorism."
--------------
Pakistan-India, Post-Mumbai
--------------
4. (SBU) Musharraf condemned the November 26 Mumbai attack
but accused India of creating war hysteria. He urged India
to stop making threats against Pakistan, and said "India
should not talk rubbish like surgical strikes." Musharraf
added that Pakistan has "built a force level and we can use
the sensitive and strategic assets when we have to."
5. (SBU) With regard to Pakistan's offer of a joint probe to
investigate the Mumbai attacks, Musharraf said "the only way
to resolve the mystery of the November 26 attacks is to
conduct joint investigations." Musharraf added that his
government tried its best to develop friendly relations with
India, but lamented that "all the developments on both sides
for dialogue, peace, and coordination built in the past over
many years were washed out by one terror incident."
PATTERSON