US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller declined to discuss private diplomatic exchanges disclosed in a leaked cypher document during a press briefing on Wednesday (local time). He emphasized that the comments within the document do not reflect an official US stance on Pakistan’s leadership.
In response to a question about the document’s authenticity, Miller acknowledged that it was reportedly a Pakistani document but expressed uncertainty about its veracity. He stressed that even if the reported comments were accurate, they wouldn’t signify a US preference for Pakistan’s leader.
Miller highlighted that the US had privately expressed concerns to the Pakistani government, mirroring the public concerns raised when then-Pakistani Prime Minister visited Russia on the day the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv began. He underlined that these private concerns do not equate to the US endorsing specific leadership choices for Pakistan.
The spokesperson addressed The Intercept’s report that the US State Department, in a March 7, 2022 meeting, had encouraged Pakistan to remove Prime Minister Imran Khan due to his perceived neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Miller clarified that the comments in the leaked cable indicated US concern about Khan’s policy decisions as Pakistan’s Prime Minister, not a preference for any particular leader.
Miller argued that the comments showcased the US government’s unease with Khan’s policy choices, rather than expressing a stance on Pakistan’s leadership. He maintained that the comments, even if accurate, don’t signify the State Department taking a position on Pakistan’s leadership.
The meeting between the Pakistani ambassador to the US and US State Department officials has generated considerable scrutiny and controversy in Pakistan over the past year and a half. This period saw power struggles between the former Pakistani Prime Minister and his military and civilian adversaries.
About a month after the meeting’s exposure, a no-confidence vote led to Khan’s removal from office, with indications that Pakistan’s army supported the move.
The leaked “cypher” cable shed light on the methods used by the US State Department to influence Khan’s position, suggesting improved relations with Islamabad if he were removed, and isolation if he remained.
The document detailed discussions between US officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, and then-Pakistani Ambassador to the US Asad Majeed Khan. These discussions highlighted US concerns about Khan’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a stance that shifted following his departure from office.
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