Ambassador David C. Mulford — the man who sent many of the secret U.S. embassy cables accessed by The Hindu through WikiLeaks — put to rest any doubts on the veracity of their contents on Friday, stating that “certainly the reports from the U.S. embassy [in New Delhi] in general are accurate reports.”
Mr. Mulford, who was the U.S. Ambassador to India from 2004 to February 2009, refused to comment on the particulars involving the cash-for-votes controversy as reported in the leaked cable which has rocked Parliament this week. But he did not refute its contents either, merely maintaining, in the face of repeated questioning, that he “had nothing to say on the subject.” The former Ambassador was speaking on a live televised discussion on The Hindu's WikiLeaks revelations hosted by Karan Thapar on CNN-IBN. The Hindu's Editor-in-Chief, N. Ram, and Ambassador Lalit Mansingh were the other discussants.
“Would you have any reason to believe that [U.S. Charge d'Affaires] Steven White may have exaggerated or that he may have concocted [the contents of that cable] …. you have any reason to believe that?” asked Mr. Thapar. “I simply have nothing to say on that,” Ambassador Mulford responded.
On the other hand, Mr. Mulford gamely fielded a number of questions on some of the other cables, most notably on whether the U.S. had “arm-twisted” India into voting against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2005. While observing that the “prospects of a civil nuclear deal would [have been] immeasurably damaged” had India chosen “to abstain or sit on the fence,” Mr. Mulford went to the extent of justifying his actions as reported in the cable, saying that “it was a key thing to do and do well.”
“I would not call it arm-twisting,” said the former Ambassador, “but it was appropriate for me to reflect to the Indian Government the dangers of not supporting a vote on Iran.”
In another cable sent to Washington, Mr. Mulford had referred to the Cabinet reshuffle of 2006, calling it “good for America” and referring to some of the incoming Ministers as “welcome additions”. While describing outgoing Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar as “contentious,” the Ambassador had called his replacement Murli Deora as “pro-U.S.” When Mr. Thapar wondered how Mr. Mulford had the “confidence to come up with the interpretation” that the reshuffle had a pro-American tilt, the latter replied that “it was his job to come to a conclusion on something that was as important as this” and that “developments of [those] kind were favourable to strengthening Indo-U.S. ties.”
In writing about the favourable nature of the Cabinet reshuffle, Mr. Mulford specifically said that he was “making that point” in the cables, underlining once again that the published dispatches were indeed genuine.
Keywords: India Cables, WikiLeaks, Cablegate, cable 40501, India-Iran relations
Wikileaks reports are to be taken seriously ..nuclear deal should be reviewed.. We Indians are not puppets to ditch our own indigenous nuclear programme for creating a super market for the developed nations.
Recent revelations in Wikileaks have brought out as to how various very senior and well known persons provided information to US. These Wikileaks are candid because they were written for pure internal use of US government and to convey what various functionaries of US administration actually felt. And Amabssodor Mulford confirms the same.Till now two Wikileaks has mention about me: Cable No. 002587 dated 18 April 2006 which states at para 20 : "The Mission's NSCS interlocutors have been both knowledgeable about potential threats, energetic about trying to head them off, and open to bilateral assistance to protect critical systems, all pleasant surprises compared to our overall dealings with the GOI." Cable No . 000909 dated 23rd Feb 2007 which proves my innocence : "The first was a scandal in New Delhi in summer 2006, in which our primary working-level CT interlocutor at the Indian National Security Council was arrested and charged with treason for allegedly passing information to the United States. Although there is little truth to the espionage accusations, the scandal cast a negative shadow over the CTJWG, and slowed further discussions for several months." {Now MHA wants to revive this relationship!} More cables referring me may emerge in future Wikileaks. Therefore even before they are available to us I want to put on record following facts. I am an incorrigible patriot and was known for that. As an interlocutor with US (and also other countries and organizations such as UN and Council of Europe) it was my duty to keep India's interest on the top. US was a friendly country but every request of cooperation of US officials was not necessarily in the best interest of our country. Hence as the probity demanded, there were many occasions where I resisted US requests to concede (I am thankful to Dy NSAs Dr Satish Chandra as well as Sh Vijay K. Nambiar and Joint Secretary Arvind Gupta to support me.) It is expected that some cables in this regard may also emerge. Two specific incidents are: a)In Feb 2006, when the US President was scheduled to arrive in India, it was my assigned duty to draft (and get clearances from the Dy NSA) a paragraph of Joint Statement related to cyber security along with the 'Fact Sheet'. In addition a MoU on Cybersecurity was also to be cleared for signature during his visit. The pointsman for cyber security was Ms Rosanna Minchew. Her quality and pace of work was unsatisfactory. After repeated attempts when the situation did not improve, the matter was reported to the Joint Secretary (Americas), MEA, who called DCM, US Embassy to correct the situation. The DCM, US Embassy called me up and asked if I want Ms Minchew to be changed. I said that it was their internal affair as to who should look after the issues related to Cyber Security and Counter Terrorism. My country's interest lies in quick and quality response. (The delay caused by Ms Minchew led to not signing of this MoU on Cyber Security and there is another story as to how I resisted US pressure to modify the MoU which would have not been in the best interest of India. US tried to lure by so called investing money in the Cybersecurity fund (to be administered by NSCS) which was not acceded by me). Later Delhi Police has alleged that I was passing information to Ms Minchew, whereas the fact is that I had made adverse report against her on more than one occasion. I hope that a cable regarding this may emerge. Indian witnesses (other than NSCS officials) who can verify this fact: Director (Americas), MEA and Joint Secretary (Americas), MEA during Feb 2006) b)In March 2006, (few days prior to my retirement but before I got the job offer from Microsoft) my US counterpart Ms Michele Markoff sent me an e-mail asking India's help for training Afghanistan officials in Cyber Security. A Minute of meeting between Afghanistan President and US Officials was also attached. After consultations, I informed Indian Embassy, Washington D.C. (being a serious diplomatic issue) to handle the matter as there was a statement by the Prime Minister on the floor of the house that India will not provide any support in Iraq and Afghanistan unless the respective governments directly approach Indian government, which was not the case in the request by US. Hence it was my note which stalled the request of US government. However Delhi police blames me that I got the job with Microsoft because I was a stooge of US government. Now the Wikileaks are revealing as to who were the stooges and who were the patriots. (Indian Witnesses (other than NSCS officials) who can verify this fact: First Secretary, Indian Embassy, Washington D.C. and Director (Americas), MEA during March 2006).
It is high time the Indian intelligentsia and particularly the Indian politicians learned the art of diplomacy in their ability to communicate well with powerful nations like United States, United Kingdom , China , France and other leading nations. Being a sovereign and independent nation does not mean treating such powerful nation at the same level as Libya and other backward nations. They ought to realize that The WikiLeaks is not a concocted cock and bull story but the release of the actual cables between various governments. While most of the nations have been rather stoical and dignified in the wake of these releases, the Indian leaders have been jumping about creating an international scene, making other nations wonder what sort of clowns are there in the Indian Parliament. This shows India is very immature as a nation and it has to go a long way in perfecting the art of diplomacy and international relationship.
This UPA-2 Govt. is ragged and patched all over with scams. The incident shows that the Imperialists, the Feudalists, the Capitalists fear the Communists. This is an acute case of conspiracy against the country and its common poor people. The anti-left parties have always been ridiculing and laughing at the communists since long by saying that the communists have a habit of finding ghosts of feudalism in every sphere where the Govt. ,led either by INC. or by BJP., wishes to move forward for the welfare of the AAM-AADMI. But actually INC. led UPA-2 is despicable. The UPA is despoiling our country.
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