WikiLeaks: Pakistan Asked for More, Not Fewer Drones

jefferson_dem

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Fri May-20-11 12:49 PM
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WikiLeaks: Pakistan Asked for More, Not Fewer Drones

WikiLeaks: Pakistan Asked for More, Not Fewer Drones

At the same time the Pakistani public was decrying the CIA's use of drone strikes in their country, Pakistan's top army general was asking a top U.S. official in behind-the-scenes meetings for more drones to help during military operations, according to a leaked U.S. State Department cable published online today.

"Referring to the situation in Waziristan, Kayani asked if Fallon could assist in providing continuous Predator coverage of the conflict area. Fallon regretted that he did not have the assets to support this request," says the February 2008 cable posted by the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. Waziristan is a mountainous region in northwest Pakistan that borders Afghanistan.

While the U.S. State Department by policy does not verify the contents of leaked secret cables, the Pakistani military responded to news reports on the drone request today, saying Pakistan has never asked for armed drone attack support "for our operations which have been conducted using our own resources." There has only been sharing of technical intelligence in some areas, the spokesperson said.

During the specific operation to which the cable refers -- a military operation in Waziristan from 2008 to 2010 -- "not even outside technical support was asked for," the spokesperson said.

<SNIP>

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/wikileaks-cable-pakistan-asked-fewer-drones/story?id=13647893

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Poll_Blind

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Fri May-20-11 12:53 PM
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1. It's always interesting to see the difference between the posturing and the truth.

It is a very, very interesting time to have WikiLeaks Cablegate documents to refer to in times like this, though I think it's arguable that the relationship has taken a turn for the worse between the US and Pakistan.

PB

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Tierra_y_Libertad

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Fri May-20-11 01:02 PM
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2. Obama should tell us again about governments that kill their own people. And, set up a no-fly-zone.

Oh, wait, we're the ones who's doing the killing for them.

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jefferson_dem

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Fri May-20-11 01:09 PM
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3. L...L...L...L...L...

Edited on Fri May-20-11 01:09 PM by jefferson_dem

Leave the terrorists alone!!1!

Would you rather put boots on the ground or nail them from the sky?

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Tierra_y_Libertad

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Fri May-20-11 01:11 PM
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4. I'd rather we admit we lost the war and get out of the region.

And, quit killing civilians in the name of "peace".

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Fumesucker

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Fri May-20-11 01:12 PM
Response to Reply #3

5. And every single mistake creates yet more terrorists..

How would you react if a Pakistani drone were to fly over and destroy your home and all your family?

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