The files describe dozens of drone attacks in Pakistain's tribal region and include maps as well as before-and-after aerial photos of targeted compounds over a four-year stretch from late 2007 to late 2011 in which the campaign intensified dramatically. Markings on the documents indicate that many of them were prepared by the CIA's Counterterrorism Centre specifically to be shared with Pakistain's government. They tout the success of strikes that killed dozens of alleged al Qaeda operatives and assert repeatedly that no civilians were harmed.
The Post report states Pakistain's tacit approval of the drone programme has been one of the more poorly kept national security secrets in Washington and Islamabad. During the early years of the campaign, the CIA even used Pak airstrips for its Predator fleet. But the files expose the explicit nature of a secret arrangement struck between the two countries at a time when neither was willing to publicly acknowledge the existence of the drone programme. The documents detailed at least 65 strikes in Pakistain and were described as "talking points" for CIA briefings, which occurred with such regularity that they became a matter of diplomatic routine. The documents are marked "top Âsecret" but cleared for release to Pakistain.
A CIA front man declined to discuss the documents but did not dispute their authenticity. The Washington Post quotes Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, the front man for the Foreign Ministry, as saying that his government does not comment on media reports that rely on unnamed sources. But Chaudhry added that Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
, who took office in June, has been adamant that "the drone strikes must stop." "Whatever understandings there may or may not have been in the past, the present government has been very clear regarding its policy on the issue," Chaudhry said. "We regard such strikes as a violation of our illusory sovereignty as well as international law. They are also counter-productive."
Chaudhry said Pakistain's government is now unified against US drone strikes, which are deeply unpopular within Pakistain, and has made its disapproval clear to senior US and United Nations
...the Oyster Bay money pit...
officials. There was no immediate comment from Pakistain's military or intelligence service, but the Post report quotes Talat Masood, a retired general, as saying that the revelation that Pakistain's government was well-informed about the drone programme will likely "put cold water on the hype" within Pakistain over the issue.