World

WikiLeaks: US cautioned Zardari against accepting Iran's oil offer

President Zardari showed reluctance upon being told to decline Iran's offer to give "concessional oil" to Pakistan.

Express May 24, 2011

President Asif Ali Zardari was urged by a US official not to agree to Iran’s “concessional oil” offer to Pakistan as it would be “providing Iran with a foothold in Pakistan”, a Wikileaks cable reveals.

The cable filed on October 22, 2008 by former US ambassador Anne Patterson reveals that Zardari told US Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher that Iran’s proposal was “an offer he did not believe he could refuse”. Boucher reminded him of the Deputy Secretary’s recent caution of not allowing Iran to gain traction in Pakistan.

In a meeting that took place at the Aiwan-e-sadar, Zardari – accompanied by former Information Minister Sherry Rehman and US Senior Advisor Hayden – the president expressed reluctance upon Boucher’s request to turn down Iran’s offer. Patterson wrote:

Zardari mentioned that Iran has offered to provide Pakistan with concessional oil. How could he go to the National Assembly and tell them Iran had offered the assistance and Pakistan had turned it down, he asked rhetorically.

Boucher then reminded Zardari of Ambassador Hussain Haqqani’s recent dialogue with Deputy Secretary Negroponte, in which the Deputy “cautioned against providing Iran with a toehold in Pakistan.”

The cable reiterates the US government’s efforts to isolate Iran economically and military. Earlier this month, US lawmakers said they were seeking to stiffen sanctions on Iran to pressure it to give up its nuclear program and stop alleged abuses of human rights.

Iran says its uranium enrichment program is for peaceful energy needs, but Western governments suspect it is aimed at making an atomic weapon.

The United Nations said in March that Iran has increased executions and abuse of human rights and opposition activists.

“As we await vigorous enforcement by the Obama administration … we must continually look ahead and examine additional means to pressure Iran,” Berman, a Democrat, said.

The Obama administration says it is enforcing existing sanctions law but has also emphasized that some companies have abandoned Iranian links voluntarily to avoid US sanctions.

Last September, the State Department said four international energy companies – Total, Statoil, ENI and Royal Dutch Shell had agreed to curtail their energy dealings with Iran.

Cable Referenced: WikiLeaks no. 174700

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 (7)

Doctor | 13 years ago | Reply I am a medical consultant by profession. Working in my clinic, along with my contribution in many welfare projects in my city. I was disgusted to read abhorrent comments related to “brainwash” of university girls into wearing hijab. Since I came to know Dr. Farhat Hashmi many years back, when I was young myself. And till day, I see her interacting with young girls all the time. What amazed me about the lady was, she never ever cornered anyone to cover. But for most educated young ladies, who cover their hair, Quran made sense, that it's simply a matter of bowing to the will of God. I understand the current frustration that exists in society. The impact of these “liberal values” on wider society is more cause of concern then mere couple of hundred thousand veiled woman. If you will focus on the liberation that our society portrays, you would find it far more volatile, with soaring divorce rates, and increase in addictions, and many social issues. An estimated 33% of the population of the United States is illegitimate. Interesting point mentioned is “educated girls” and then they being ‘Brain-washed”. In my observation, educated girls in current times, are too smart. There is little hard data on how many women cover their hair in Muslim societies, but what is certain is that there is rising popularity of hijab all over world. E.g, in 1970s Egypt, hijab was mainly worn by rural women. Today, many hijab clad women are seen on the streets of Cairo. How are those brainwashed? And why they opting for this attire? “Epidemic” of Hijab clad women, now is much more integrated in our society, and producing females who do not have to rely on their physical beauty or dress in order for any achievement. It is her character that defines her practices. Please remember before you label someone blindly as following a certain ‘dogma’ that hijab clad Muslimah of today is seeking education, working in all fields and proving her worth. Thanks to role model scholars like Dr. Farhat Hashmi, who made us think for once to stand up for our identity, for what we truly are.

Mrs. Saleem Siddiqi | 13 years ago | Reply Assalamu alaikum Brother in Islam. I'm a women in hijaab, n would like to explain to you my reason for wearing niqaab. Firstly, Contrary to your thinking,I am not oppressed, or forced into wearing this garment. Its my right,n I have chosen it. Living in a world wherein we all allowed freedom of religion, why is it a problem for you. This Is my right,n I don't see it infringing on anyone else's rights so there's no need to oppose it.. The reason iv chosen to cover myself is because its a commandment from Allah Al-Mighty, n Allah being our creator knows what's good for us.. Allah SWT says in the Quran in Sura Ahzaab, Sura33:Verse 59: "Oh Prophet, Say to your wives,and your daughters,and the Believing Women, that they should lower (throw) over them their Jilbaab (Outer Garments) that is nearer(better) that they be known and not harmed. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." S33:V59 Brother in Islam, this is a divine commandment from Allah n there is wisdom in it. How often have u seen or heard of a women wearing full hijaab being attacked or molested, in comparison to a women scantily dressed, who is wearing tight fitting revealing clothes.. Look at the wisdom of Al-Mighty Allah, the blessing in wearing an outer garment,its for our own protection and therefore you'd find many women choosing this for themselves,they not forced into it. Therefore Brother please do proper research before making uninformed,unpleasant remarks about people and before accusing people of being oppressed and brainwashed, have u even approached a women in Niqaab and inquired what's her reasons for wearing it. I don't think u did. This is a commandment of God! I don't see a person who decides to follow divine commandments as brainwashed, rather they are Obedient!!!!

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NA | 13 years ago | Reply Iran and Saudi are exploiting Pakistan because they have no economical interests in Pakistan. Our youth is being exploited by Islamic radicals because of unemployment and poverty. Pakistan who is in savior power crisis should accept Iranies and Indian offers to stabilize its economy. An instable Pakistan is in the interest of US.

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Start operating in the interests of Pakistan and stop committing suicide to please Americans. The country stupidly sided with America in the civil war in Afghanistan. When it was over they packed their bags and were never seen from again. No help to look after all of the refugees. Claimed it was nothing to do with them. Now they are threatening to cut aid again, even after we send our troops into the hell holes in FATA and the aid we get just about covers the cost of these conflicts to our economy. They want to destroy Iran to please Israel. Go to the Jerusalem Post website and those trouble makers have a section devoted to the "Iranian Threat". Let's not shoot ourselves in the foot just to please these liars. Iran is an old, friendly nation. We share very many cultaral links with them. Let's trade with them because there is much that they can teach us. They have a highly educated work force. We would be well advised to emulate them.

Wasim | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan really needs a change in its foreign policy. The biggest mistake Pakistan made was running to countries no where in our region and are non-reliabale like U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Iran, China, and Sri Lanka were the only countries to support Pakistan after the U.S. raid in Abbottabad. Pakistan needs to be closer to China, Russia, Iran, and Sri Lanka and distance itself from U.S. and its Arab allies, and Pakistan needs to join SCO.

Fahd Shah | 13 years ago | Reply This proves he is "MANS BEST FRIEND" eating on American payroll. lets see what the people of Pakistan do to a person like this. i cant believe how the Army and Police salute him. how they give him respect. it really is a humiliation for the nation, even in the international community. Now we Pakistanis living abroad cant believe the image he has made of our nation. We are working abroad not because we like it out here, but because of these people never pay taxes nor utility bills.

jibran akhtar | 13 years ago | Reply Saudi arabia & Iran have already caused irreperable damage to our society.Both these countries have funded madrassas & mazhabi jamatein which have spread obscurantist,rigid religious rituals.They have created an intolerant,extremist society where if you don't insert 'mashallah' 'inshallah' in every sentence you aren't considered a good muslim. Iran & saudia's sick obsession with religious dogma has created a generation of people who believe that women are sinful things who have to be kept covered in abayas or the irani black chadors at all times.Both these countries treat their women horrifically & treat them as animals rather than humans. we have people like farhat hashmi brainwashing young girls into following medieval religious rituals,we have the epidemic of hijabis in our universities & colleges.what these brainwashed girls don't realise that hiding yourself under hijabs & burkas doesn't make you anymore pious or good than the non-hijabi people,it just shows your eagerness to blindly follow religious dogma.

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