**US says ‘sorry’ for Salala attack: Clinton
**
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that the US says “sorry” for the losses suffered by Pakistani military in the Salala check post attack.
Clinton added that Pakistan is reopening the supply routes to Nato forces in Afghanistan. The routes were closed in retaliation after 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a cross-border attack by Nato forces in Afghanistan. Pakistan had persistently demanded a formal apology from the US, but the latter had just expressed regret over the incident.
The Express Tribune correspondent Huma Imtiaz, however, reported that the US has not apologised for the incident but has expressed regret and offered condolences over the soldiers’ deaths.
The incident had prompted Pakistan to conduct a policy review of its ties with the US, demanding that the US issue a high-level apology over the incident, and end drone strikes before the routes would be reopened.
The US, on numerous occasions expressed regret over the incident, but did not offer a clear apology as demanded by Pakistan. ISAF Commander in Afghanistan General John Allen had also offered a “personal apology” to Pakistan army chief.
Clinton’s statement comes as Pakistan holds a meeting of its Defence Committee for Cabinet (DCC), chaired by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, to discuss the Nato blockade. The meeting is currently underway.
Going through the exact statement, it seems that the US actually did not say anything new. It is sorry for the loss of lives, not for the attack. But finally it will now depend on Pakistan to construe it the way it wants.
Re: BREAKING ICE: 'US says sorry' for Salala attack
Statement was by Clinton. Stating they were sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military which is indirect acceptance of the fact that they caused it. Anything else would sink Obama's presidential campaign. The best we can get honestly at this stage.
Re: BREAKING ICE: 'US says sorry' for Salala attack
Statement was by Clinton. Stating they were sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military which is indirect acceptance of the fact that they caused it. Anything else would sink Obama's presidential campaign. The best we can get honestly at this stage.
Then, the best they should get at this stage is blockage of the Nato route across Pakistan. Sadly, that may not remain the case (I hope otherwise). In fact, blocking of Nato Supply route should be permanent regardless of the fact if they apologize in the manner we want them to or not. This is not our war and that is it.
Re: BREAKING ICE: 'US says sorry' for Salala attack
And pissing of the US is not feasible for Pakistan in the long run. There is a certain point where you basically have to decide whats better - the short term gains or the long term gains.
Yes this is short of what the Pakistani people want. Yes this is short of anything we demanded. But what else do you expect us to do?
Re: BREAKING ICE: 'US says sorry' for Salala attack
A parasitic sovereign country like ours cannot afford to intimidate its feeders for a long time. If we do not have the ability to be a normal country and stop living off others on permanent basis, than we have no right to ask anyone for respect. We cannot wrench an appology from the US at this point of time. While it may not be the best the US might have offered, it's time to move forward and leave the score to be settled for some other time.
Re: BREAKING ICE: 'US says sorry' for Salala attack
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PAKISTAN ANNOUNCES RESUMPTION OF NATO ROUTES -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Transit fee not to be hiked to emphasise that the issue wasn't
*about monetary**** gains: Kaira ******
Re: BREAKING ICE: 'US says sorry' — Pak opens Nato routes
that was just a personal apology, not on official level. US is too arrogant to make an official apology.
khair, this was bound to happen, we knew that nato supply routes will resume back sooner or later.
Thanks to our leaders who have shattered the pride and dignity of our country, we just have to live with this.
Re: BREAKING ICE: ‘US says sorry’ for Salala attack
As a Pakistani, I would like to respond to it with the utmost depth of my heart:
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Re: BREAKING ICE: ‘US says sorry’ — Pak opens Nato routes
here is the full text of Clinton Statement
sincere apology Clinton seriously??, when the general was in Islamabad for talks, drone strike was carried out.
they have absolutely no regard for Pakistani lives, they are doing this only for the sake of resumption of nato supply routes, because, its 3 times more expensive for them, when it comes from north.
Press Statement Hillary Rodham Clinton
** Secretary of State** Washington, DC
**July 3, 2012
**
**Statement by Secretary Clinton on her Call With Pakistani Foreign Minister Khar
**
This morning, I spoke by telephone with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
I once again reiterated our deepest regrets for the tragic incident in Salala last November. I offered our sincere condolences to the families of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives. Foreign Minister Khar and I acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives. We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military. We are committed to working closely with Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening again.
As I told the former Prime Minister of Pakistan days after the Salala incident, America respects Pakistan’s sovereignty and is committed to working together in pursuit of shared objectives on the basis of mutual interests and mutual respect.
In today’s phone call, Foreign Minister Khar and I talked about the importance of taking coordinated action against terrorists who threaten Pakistan, the United States, and the region; of supporting Afghanistan’s security, stability, and efforts towards reconciliation; and of continuing to work together to advance the many other shared interests we have, from increasing trade and investment to strengthening our people-to-people ties. Our countries should have a relationship that is enduring, strategic, and carefully defined, and that enhances the security and prosperity of both our nations and the region.
The Foreign Minister and I were reminded that our troops – Pakistani and American – are in a fight against a common enemy. We are both sorry for losses suffered by both our countries in this fight against terrorists. We have enhanced our counter-terrorism cooperation against terrorists that threaten Pakistan and the United States, with the goal of defeating Al-Qaida in the region.
In addition, I am pleased that Foreign Minister Khar has informed me that the ground supply lines (GLOC) into Afghanistan are opening. Pakistan will continue not to charge any transit fee in the larger interest of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region. This is a tangible demonstration of Pakistan’s support for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and our shared objectives in the region. This will also help the United States and ISAF conduct the planned drawdown at a much lower cost. This is critically important to the men and women who are fighting terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Khar has informed me that, consistent with current practice, no lethal equipment will transit the GLOC into Afghanistan except for equipping the ANSF. In concluding the call, I reiterated our deep appreciation to the Government and the people of Pakistan for their many sacrifices and their critical contribution to the ongoing fight against terrorism and extremism.
Re: BREAKING ICE: 'US says sorry' for Salala attack
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PAKISTAN ANNOUNCES RESUMPTION OF NATO ROUTES
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Transit fee not to be hiked to emphasise that the issue wasn't
*about monetary**** gains: Kaira **
