Pakistan

WikiLeaks: UAE expressed concern over Balochistan airstrip leak

Al Musally had said that the UAE government desired to keep details of cooperation with US military confidential.

Express May 26, 2011

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was concerned in 2005 that the details about its military cooperation with the US on the Balochistan airstrip had been leaked, according to latest diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks.

Ahmed Al Musally, Director of the Asian and African Affairs Department at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had specifically complained that retired General Tommy Franks, former Commander of US Central Command, mentioned in his book, “American Soldier" that US forces had made use of Sheikh Zayed’s private airstrip in Balochistan, Pakistan.

In his meeting with the deputy chief of mission, Al Musally explained that the government of UAE desires to keep details of the UAE cooperation with the US military in Afghanistan and Pakistan confidential, because the Government is concerned that public acknowledgement of this assistance could pose risks to the UAE security within the UAE or to UAE officials in Pakistan.

Earlier, the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) deputy chief had revealed that the Shamsie airbase in Balochistan was not under their control as it was funded and constructe by the UAE. The PAF chief had made this revelation during an in-camera session of both houses of parliament following the unilateral operation by US forces in Abbottabad that killed Osama bin Laden.

Cable Referenced: WikiLeaks no 32618.

The full text of the cables can be read on Dawn.com, The HinduandNDTV. WikiLeaks has previously released cables to other media organisations including Guardian and the New York Times.

COMMENTS (8)

Adeel | 13 years ago | Reply @Ali: dollars!!

Muhammed Hussain | 13 years ago | Reply How can a foreign country own a airstrip in another foreign country and lend that out to a third foreign country for use as a military base???? dont we have any control over anything? . How can we not control landing strips in our own country ? and how do we give airfields to a country like the UAE for which Pakistani citizens cant become residents or own property there or even get a visa for? Sadly its the shameful state of our country we will sell to the highest bidder

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Uzair Javaid | 13 years ago | Reply @Ali: Yet again my brother, its the job of the Effin parliament to ask ITS army to protect the sovereignty of the state. The army is not on AutoPilot that it would take out any spare crows in the sky. This is a freaking spineless government, they wouldn't have the courage to face the aftermath if army does anything.

Uzair Javaid | 13 years ago | Reply These high-rolling jokers are the ones funding millions of dollars to the Punjabi insurgencies along many other outfits even in Balochistan to keep it unstable primarily to Contain China from settling temporarily for the construction of the port. These are no Muslim brothers anyway, all they need is fancy crap like the Burj Khalifa and funding to keep the region east of it destabilized for their investors to remain seated.

Akhtarrao | 13 years ago | Reply Shamsi air base will remain focal to the US,so long term policy is framed by the US to stay and use this base even against China and Iran when she needs it. Baluchistan is a strategic point to American policy makers and they will also protect/support Indian interest.

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply The question is why is the Pakistan armed forces are allowing this....

Dr.A.K.Tewari | 13 years ago | Reply Well , Wikileak !What a leak it is ! Baluchistan has been already sold by Pakistan to different parties , now is security is being seeked from China on the name of the port .Blind Pakistanio , now remove the dark ribbon from your eyes and find who is responsible RAW OR ISI .

TightDhoti | 13 years ago | Reply aaa the UAE, Arab royals! Home to every political, military, industrial and feudal elite. They are the ones who have really stripped us of our soveirgnty, for they play the "Muslim brother" card.

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