ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (Reuters) - U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks shed light on Pakistan's political intrigue, the power of its army, alleged human rights abuses and how oil power Saudi Arabia percieves its position in the country.
Here are some highlights from the dispatches which appeared on Britain's Guardian newspaper website, as well as some context on key issues covered in them.
PAKISTAN ARMY CHIEF HINTS AT UNSEATING ZARDARI
Cable sent by Ambassador Anne Patterson on March 12, 2009.
The ambassador had met Army chief Ashfaq Kayani on March 10 before a long march by lawyers on March 12 in a political crisis that threatened Zardari's government.
* "During ambassador's fourth meeting in a week with Chief of Army Staff General Kayani on March 10, he again hinted that he might, however reluctantly, have to persuade President Zardari to resign if the situation sharply deteriorates."
"This would not be a formal coup but would leave in place the PPP government led by PM Gilani, thus avoiding elections that likely would bring Nawaz Sharif to power. We do not believe army action is imminent."
PRESIDENT ZARDARI NAMES SUCCESSOR IN EVENT OF ASSASSINATION
Zardari remains deeply unpopular with Pakistanis, many of whom regard him as corrupt and ineffective. Zardari's government faces a resilient Pakistani Taliban insurgency. His ties with the army, which have ruled Pakistan for more than half of its history, are uneasy.
* According to a cable from U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson dated Feb. 9, 2009, Zardari had raised the issue of his personal security in a meeting in Karachi.
"Zardari revealed that, if he was assassinated, he had instructed his son Bilawal to name his sister, Faryal Talpur, as President," said the cable.
US CONCERN OVER ARMY HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN PAKISTAN
The military is the most powerful institution in U.S. ally Pakistan. Its cooperation is essential for the U.S. war on militancy, especially in Afghanistan, where Western forces are battling an Afghan Taliban insurgency.
* A September 10, 2009 cable called "U.S. concerned about massive human rights abuses by Pakistan Army" sent by ambassador Anne Patterson said:
"The crux of the problem appears to center on the treatment of terrorists detained in battlefield operations and have focussed on extra-judicial killing of some detainees."
SAUDI ARABIA'S CLOUT IN PAKISTAN
Oil power Saudi Arabia gained vast influence in the region when it, along with Pakistan and the United States, began backing the anti-Soviet mujahideen in Afghanistan in the 1980s. Saudi Arabia, a vital U.S. ally, still has clout in the region.
* On Nov 20, 2007, the Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Adel al-Jubeir, boldly asserted during a meal with a U.S. diplomat: "We in Saudi Arabia are not observers in Pakistan, we are participants."
US REVIEWS ITS AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN POLICY
The United States believes defeating militant groups such as al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban is vital for its national security. Washington wants Pakistan to crack down on Afghan Taliban militants who cross over from its Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to attack Western troops in Afghanistan.
* In a Sept. 23, 2009 cable, Patterson said in response to queries posed by the National Security Council that a comprehensive strategy was needed. The cable said:
"Embassy Islamabad believes that it is not possible to counter al-Qaeda in Pakistan absent a comprehensive strategy.
"As the queries presupposes, the ending of Pakistani establishment support to terrorist and extremist groups, some Afghan-focused and some India-focused, is a key element for success." (Compiled by Augustine Anthony and Michael Georgy) (For more Reuters coverage of Pakistan, see: http://www.reuters.com/places/pakistan) (If you have a query or comment about this story, send an e-mail to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com)
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